The Port Authority of Guam confirmed the latest two cruise ships to visit the Mariana Islands. They are the MS Asuka III making its maiden voyage to Guam on Dec. 30 and to Saipan on Dec. 31 and the Mitsui Ocean Fuji which is due to visit Saipan on Dec. 30 and Guam on Dec. 31,
MS Asuka III. Photo courtesy Mitsubishi
The Asuka can accommodate between 740 to 770 passengers and the Mitsui Ocean can accommodate between 458 to 540 passengers, according to the two cruise lines.
In related news, Matson Navigation Co.’s latest vessel is a new barge, the Oceania, with a gross tonnage of 5,552 metric tons. The Oceania is ready to serve transshipment needs in the islands. mbj
With Super Typhoon Bavi now packing maximum sustained winds of 160 mph and forecast to strengthen further as it moves toward the Marianas, emergency officials are urging businesses and residents to treat this weekend as their critical window to prepare for potentially damaging winds.
Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are now in Condition of Readiness 3 as Typhoon Bavi approaches, with both governors urging residents and businesses to use the remaining hours of fair weather to prepare.
Task Force Talon relinquished command to the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (3-43 ADA), ushering in a new battalion to take over Guam’s air missile defense systems.
Emergency management agencies across the region are urging residents and businesses to execute disaster preparedness plans as Tropical Storm 09W is forecast to rapidly intensify and potentially strike Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands as a Category four super typhoon.
