Eco-tourism pushed for Northern Islands

The Northern Islands could be the next new thing that the CNMI tourism industry has to offer, with the nearing operation of the Stars and Stripes cruise ship in the Commonwealth.

Stars and Stripes owner Sam Markos yesterday said that after two and a half years of refitting, the vessel will finally be ready again for operations in a few weeks.

According to Markos, the Stars and Stripes will receive its sails by the end of August or the beginning of September. The sails will consist of a 100-ft. tall U.S. flag for the main sail and another 100-ft tall front sail that will boast a stunning hand-painted 4 meter by 4 meter bald eagle in the middle.

When both sails are flying, he said, the Stars and Stripes will be visible from most of Saipan and Tinian—the two main islands where the vessel will be operated.

Speaking at the Saipan Rotary Club meeting at the Hyatt Regency Saipan, Markos also bared plans to promote eco-tourism by providing charter trips to the Northern Islands.

“Having gone to the [United] States last year for the diving show in Miami, I kept hearing over and over from the wholesalers when Saipan was going to offer something new. Well, the time has come,” he said. “With the ability to take 80 passengers to the Northern Islands, residents and tourists alike will finally have the opportunity to explore our pristine northern islands.”

He expressed hope that by providing a means to transport large numbers of passengers at a time, the Stars and Stripes will make it economically feasible to consider eco-tourism in the Northern Islands.

“With resorts similar in style to the Village in Pohnpei and Kosrae, tourists will be able to stay and enjoy the north, as well as giving the residents there an opportunity for employment and Saipan a new and exciting tourist destination,” Markos said.

Another unique experience that the Stars and Stripes could offer is a sailing cruise from Saipan all the way to Guam, he said.

Further, the vessel will be available for charter for fund raising and other community functions at reduced rates, he added.

Markos, who also owns the M/V Challenger and the Cars Unlimited rental company, has now invested almost $1 million in refitting the Stars and Stripes.

“Every inch of the Stars and Stripes has been gone over, with much of the original equipment, machinery, and air conditioning rebuilt or replaced,” he said.

The vessel now has a chilled water air-conditioning system similar to that used in hotels, an ice machine in the bar, cooking facilities for 100 people in the galley, an 800 gallon-a-day water maker, a state-of-the-art sound system with twin televisions, DVD players, and on-board computers.

It has been U.S. Coast Guard-approved to carry up to 149 passengers, up to 20 miles off shore.

Stars and Stripes was originally built in Singapore in 1988 for the Zuanick family. Built out of aluminum and weighing over 75 tons, the vessel is 72 feet long and 40 feet wide, and has a mast of over 100 feet tall.

Upon completion, Stars and Stripes was brought to Guam and used for dinner cruises and day charters until 2000, when it was taken over by the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank.

Markos purchased the Stars and Stripes from HSBC in Nov. 2002, nine months after he bought the M/V Challenger from the CNMI government.