HAPILMOHOL 1

General information

Course/Position

Latest news

Generator trouble in Woleai Atoll

The Pohnpei-based m/v 'Micronesian Navigators' will postpone its regular field trip to Chuuk. Instead, it will leave Pohnpei on Aug. 8, 2020, to provide immediate assistance to the 'Hapilmohol-1', which has been anchored in the Woleai Atoll in pos. 07° 21.23' N 143° 54.18' E since July 29. The vessel, which was conducting a routine student run to escort children and families to their homes in preparation for the new academic year, has suffered from issues with its generators. The passengers on the ship were safe, but operating it in the open ocean could potentially risk the safety of the nation’s citizens onboard. Considering the possibility of total failure of both generators on the way back in open water, the ship being low on fresh water to cool the engine and serve the needs of its passengers and crews…there was no other alternative but to request for a backup vessel to provide urgent assistance. With the m/v 'Caroline Voyager' presently inoperable, the only vessel the FSM National Government has in its possession that can presently accommodate the request from Yap State is the m/v 'Micronesian Navigators'. Thus, President Panuelo has instructed the Department of Transportation, Communication & Infrastructure to postpone its regular field trip schedule to Chuuk so that it may respond to the needs of the 'Hapilmohol-I'. She was now preparing to depart Pohnpei, heading straight to Woleai on Aug 8 and was expected to arrive in Woleai on Aug 12.