Marine Log - October 2007 - (Page 22) COVERSTORY that considering whales and other marine mammals in the DOT’s harbor development review went beyond the agency’s jurisdiction. “It is also noteworthy that all vessels in Hawaii waters can potentially interact with marine mammals and yet we have not had to consider the effect of vessel operations until now.” BIG COMMITMENT George Sawyer, a partner in J.F. Lehman & Co., which holds a controlling interest in the parent of Hawaii Superferry, told Marine Log, “We’ve been very sensitive to the issues of whale strikes and invasive species. The ferry, of course, doesn’t ballast and deballast, and we worked with Hawaii’s Department of Agriculture on performing vehicle checks. If there are any vehicles that are suspect, they are taken out of the boarding line. “As for whale strikes, it would be catastrophic for our vessel. That’s why we have a comprehensive whale avoidance policy.” Over the past five years, about $200 million has been invested in building two high-speed passenger vehicle ferries and infrastructure in Hawaii. The centerpiece of that investment is the Alakai, the largest aluminum catamaran ever built in the U.S. At 106.5m x 23.8m, the Alakai has two cavernous vehicle decks that enable it to carry 282 cars or a combination of 28 forty-foot trucks and 65 cars along with about 866 passengers at speeds of about 40 knots. Designed and built at Austal, Mobile, Ala., the ferry was scheduled to connect Honolulu, O’ahu to Kahului, Maui with a daily morning and afternoon service and an afternoon and evening service six times a week between Honolulu, O’ahu and Nawiliwili, Kauai. By 2009, Superferry planned to expand its service with a second vessel being built by Austal and a new route between O’ahu and the island of Hawaii. J.F. Lehman & Company has invested upwards of $85 million in the operation. Additionally, the U.S. Maritime Administration has provided a Title XI shipbuilding loan guarantee of $140 million for the two Superferry vessels. If there was a default on the loan, the Maritime Administration would claim the two aluminum catamarans. There is a possibility a special session of the state legislature will be called to address the Hawaii Superferry dilemma. The state has invested $40 million in infrastructure for the Superferry. A possible solution would be to allow the ferry to operate while an environmental assessment is conducted. The assessment could take at least eight months to complete. Beyond vessel and infrastructure investment, Hawaii Superferry has about 300 employees. Once you get past the clamor of protesters, there seems to be real support for the Hawaii Superferry. In a statement, the Kauai Chamber of Commerce said, “On Kauai, the business community understands its critical role in ensuring and maintaining an environment that also insures new businesses to flourish on the island. “Both the Administrative and Legislative branches have allowed Hawaii Superferry to lawfully exist here in www.marinelog.com DYNAMIC POSITIONING Made simple. “It’s the easiest DP system I’ve ever used.” - Gulf of Mexico OSV Captain The Beier IVCS 2000 Dynamic Positioning System (ABS approved) is one of the most sophisticated DP systems/available today. It is also the easiest to learn and use. Beier Radio offers world-class DP training at our Nautical Institute-accredited training facility in Belle Chasse, Louisiana, USA. Marine industry electronic systems for: Navigation • Vessel control Maneuvering • Equipment monitoring Communications • Steering control. Call Joe Mouton to learn how we can outfit your vessels and train your crews. 2606 North Concord Road Phone +1-504-341-0123 Belle Chasse, Louisiana 70037-3104 USA Fax +1-504-348-2007 www.beierradio.com Contact Joe Mouton cmoutonjr@aol.com 22 MARINE LOG OCTOBER 2007 http://www.beierradio.com http://www.beierradio.com http://www.marinelog.com
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