The MV Lady Naomi vessel which used to sail to American Samoa and the Cook Islands from Samoa is likely to be sunk in the deep.

The vessel was built in 1998 and of late continuous mechanical and structural problems have caused the vessel owned by Samoa Shipping Corporation to be out of service.

The Samoa Observer can reveal that the government will now dispose and sink the roll-on-roll-off passenger ferry in the deep further from Apia.

Its current status is described to be 'out of survey'.

Attempts to get a comment from the Samoa Shipping Corporation (S.S.C.) were unsuccessful as of press 

Meanwhile, this comes following major damages it sustained earlier this year to its rails, and bollards, as well as dents on its body from colliding against the wharf due to strong ocean currents.

The Samoa Ports Authority (S.P.A.)'s Saula-60 tug boat at the time was out on the reef assisting with the Lady Naomi, holding the boat steady through ropes so it would not drift away or capsize.

The vessel’s condition has continued to deteriorate, which has resulted in costly repair and maintenance bills paid by the Corporation to comply with international maritime safety requirements.

According to the Samoa Ports Authority 2017 Financial Report, passenger numbers between Samoa and American Samoa have continued to increase.

The aging vessel was succeeded by the new $66.74 million passenger vessel, the MV Lady Naomi 60, launched two years ago.

Meanwhile, the new vessel was officially launched in Hiroshima, Japan at the Setoda Shipyard of Naikai Zosen Corporation and replaced the MV Lady Naomi. It was built with funding from Japan’s grant aid assistance program.