CPA takes over abandoned sea vessel

The Commonwealth Ports Authority has taken over MV Celeste after its owner failed to remove the abandoned sea vessel from the Rota West Harbor during the weekend, Board Chair Roman S. Palacios disclosed yesterday.

CPA, through the Rota seaport superintendent, served MV Celeste owner Angyuta Shipping Co. Ltd. an emergency order to immediately transfer the vessel to the San Jose harbor on Tinian due to the danger it posed to the dock and the sea transport facility in the island.

Mr. Palacios noted the potential risks that may be caused by the unmanned vessel to the island’s sea transport facility that may be aggravated by an extremely harsh weather.

He told an interview that the Master of MV Celeste had refused to comply with an earlier notice served by the Rota seaport superintendent. The notice was handed to the management of the Angyuta Shipping.

According to an order issued Thursday, MV Celeste owners had to remove the vessel from the Rota to the San Jose seaport, Tinian being the closest and safest harbor of refuge within the CNMI.

Repeated failures by the Angyuta Shipping management to comply with the order forced CPA over the weekend to move the vessel from Rota to Tinian where it will remain berthed until marine and coast guard officials decide it can be transferred to yet another port.

Mr. Palacios mentioned provisions in the Harbor Rules and Regulations which allows CPA to take over a vessel in case its owners fail to comply with emergency orders.

The regulation states CPA can take charge of a vessel that does not have anyone with proper authority on board or if there are not enough number of crew members on it.

The vessel will remain under the supervision of the ports authority which will have the power to allow its departure to other areas only after all costs incurred by the agency during the time the ship was under CPA has been paid.

CPA ordered the vessel’s transfer because of its potential to cause serious damage to the dock facilities or the vessel itself, which may cause interference with the use of the wharf if the vessel should the ship sink or becomes incapable of maneuvering under its own power.

The ports authority also said the absence of the Master aboard MV Celeste and its refusal to comply with the notice issued by the Rota port superintendent constitute a hazard to navigation within the harbor and endanger the safety of the harbor.