U.S. military sub arrives on Saipan today

Marking a first in Commonwealth history, the Northern Marianas will witness today the arrival of a state-of-the-art United States military submarine carrying over 100 officers and crewmen at the Saipan International Harbor.

USS Columbus is a 360-foot submarine based at the Pearl Harbor in Oahu, Hawaii. Officials said the submarine, which has a total of 133 men on board, will remain docked at the Saipan harbor until Monday.

The submarine’s arrival here strengthens the island’s emerging image as an ideal place for a relaxation and recreational stopovers.
Since its completion last year, the multi-million-dollar Saipan harbor began hosting U.S. military vessels one after the other.

An advisory from the Office of the Governor disclosed Real Admiral Joe Krol will fly from Japan to Saipan to join local officials in welcoming USS Columbus to the island.

Rear Admiral Krol is the man in charge of all U.S. Navy submarines in the Pacific. He is expected to arrive on Saipan Thursday morning, and is scheduled to leave for Yokusuka, Japan in the afternoon.

CNMI Press Secretary Frank Rosario said the submarine will not be open for a public tour primarily due to the sensitivity of the vessel’s role in maintaining peace in the region.

USS Columbus will arrive here at least three days earlier than its original May 20, 2000 schedule. Saipan seaport manager Tony Cabrera said basic infrastructure needs of the naval vessel had been promptly installed by the Commonwealth Ports Authority.

CPA has provided a power generator and a compressed holding tank or sewage system for the submarine’s use before its scheduled arrival, according to Mr. Cabrera.

The military submarine patrols the Pacific Ocean and docks on land once in a while. The seaport official said naval officials have identified Saipan as one of the ideal places in the region for R&R stopovers.

Ample U.S. military and CPA security personnel will be stationed at the dock site to look after the submarine during its five-day visit to the Northern Marianas .

The vessel’s arrival on Saipan came following a series of discussions between CPA and U.S. Military officials where assurance had been given that the submarine will not harm the dock nor will the dock harm the vessel.

According to Mr. Cabrera, USS Columbus will be entering the Saipan channel, as well as dock at the seaport, afloat.

As the submarine pays a historic visit to the CNMI, government officials are upbeat that cruise related tourism will soon see bright signs as CPA laid down future development plans for the Saipan international harbor.

U.S. Navy officials earlier underscored the Saipan international seaport does not have an oil waste disposal facility, which could limit the facility’s potentials.

Ports authority officials were told that the facility is needed to prevent problems that may arise from fuel leak. Discussions are now underway to put up underground telephone lines and cable television facilities that could be delivered to the ships.