GOVERNOR Juan N. Babauta yesterday expressed deep disappointment over the seizure of two vessels that transport passengers from Tinian and Saipan.
Babauta said he was surprised to learn about the seizure of the ferries.
Babauta said the U.S. Marshals could have notified his office first to avoid major transportation disruptions.
“I’m quite upset and disappointed that the U.S. Marshals did not notify the local authorities about the seizure of the vessels in view of the impact that it would have on the people of Tinian and Saipan. It’s their only mode of transportation,” Babauta told Variety shortly after his 30-minute meeting with the U.S. Marshals at Horiguchi Building in Garapan yesterday.
The governor, together with Rep. Andrew Salas, R-Saipan, went to the U.S. Marshals Service at about 2 p.m. yesterday, to get an explanation about the confiscation of Saipan Express and Tinian Express.
The two vessels are operated by Tinian Shipping. They were ordered seized by the U.S. District Court for failure to pay their debts.
“To say I’m upset is mild. I am more than upset,” Salas said.
“To me this is regrettably the worst thing that happened to the Tinian-Saipan route. They did not take into consideration the ramifications of their order. We have people on Tinian that are stranded,” he said.
“This thing should never have happened had they taken the time to call the highest office in the CNMI,” he said.
Deputy U.S. Marshal Marshall Wayne Pickering said in an interview that his office merely executed the order issued by the court.
“The court made the order and we carried it out,” Pickering said.
He said they have no obligation to notify any other office prior to the implementation of the order.
“We don’t usually call anyone when we do our job, but we do understand the feeling of the governor because it affects a lot of (the people) on Tinian and Saipan,” Pickering said.
He said he would help local authorities to get in contact with the U.S. Deputy Marshal’s Office on Guam to resolve the matter immediately.
Pickering said the vessels would only be released upon order by the court or by higher authorities.
Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino Manager Tom Liu said the cancellation of the trips to Tinian “brought much inconvenience.”
“Definitely, it has a negative impact, not only on our business but also to the public. A lot of people can’t travel,” Liu said.
Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Carlos Salas expressed concern over the “negative impact” of the incident.
“I hope it can be settled soon because it affects both the businesses and the passengers,” he said. “This is a federal issue. We’re not in a position to interfere with the process, but we are ready to provide assistance to resolve the problem,” he added.
Salas said his office was informed “a little bit” before the vessels were seized yesterday morning.
