Environmental Quality Protection Board Executive Officer Portia Franz in an interview stated that PITI was given permit to chop, recycle and dispose of the vessel at the EQPB permitted location.
The vessel is now at the Marina in Airai.
Franz said that the vessel have until Oct. 6 to pay the $5,000 fine , she said that failure to pay the fine will force the EQOB board to evaluate the fines.
The PITI fishing vessel ran aground on August 16, 2010 which the Board issued an order to pay a $5,000 fine and remove the vessel within fifteen days or before October 6.
The first attempt to remove the vessel was unsuccessful on Aug. 25 and on Aug. 30. EQPB was notified that Francis Toribiong will help the vessel be removed from the reef.
