The owner of a purse seiner boarded by armed Coast Guard agents in American Samoa last week is seeking answers as to why his boat was targeted.
On February 23rd, more than 10 Coast Guard agents boarded the Jeanette, searched the vessel and interrogated crew for several hours.
The Jeanette had made an emergency return to Fagatogo because a crew member was seriously ill.
Joe Finette said he was stunned the Coast Guard met his vessel with guns that day, and his crew, and their families, were shocked by the Coast Guard's action.
Mr Finette said he knew there was no contraband of any kind on his vessel and that they would be cleared of any wrong doing.
Meanwhile the Coast Guard said it was engaged in an active law enforcement and that it is standard to do this while carrying weapons.
Mr Finette was looking forward to an investigation of why the Coast Guard moved in on his boat.
He said the Jeanette was Pago Pago- based and had not gone to another port, foreign or domestic, in over 10 years.
Photo: 123 RF