The Queen Salamasina was constructed for the Australian government at the Dillingham Shipyard in Perth, Australia and completed in 1977.

[1] On completion, it was gifted to the Samoan government,[2] which then leased it to the Samoa Shipping Corporation.

[3] Shortly after arriving in Samoa it damaged its propeller shaft in Apia harbour and had to be taken to Suva, Fiji for repairs.

[5] Over its career it also sailed to Tokelau, Tonga, Niue, Rarotonga, Wallis and Futuna, Fiji, and New Zealand.

[7] Increased maintenance costs and safety concerns following the repairs caused the Samoan government to ask the government of Japan to design and construct a replacement vessel.