Superferry return to Hawaii?

SOURCE: Brad Parsons (mauibrad@hotmail.com) SUBHEAD: U.S. Army Environmental Command seeking Comments on JHSV's in Guam, Hawaii, San Diego and Seattle. Image above: Austal JHSV contract looks suspiciously like Hawaii Superferry. From (http://www.marinelog.com/DOCS/NEWSMMVII/2008nov00140.html) By Gaynor Dumat-ol Daleno on 4 February 2010 in Pacific Daily News - (http://www.guampdn.com/article/20100204/NEWS01/2040302/Guam-may-host-Army-fast-ships) Guam is one of several areas being considered as a station for up to a dozen high-speed catamaran-style military ships each capable of transporting more than 300 people per ship, according to an Army Environmental Command announcement. Hawaii, San Diego and Seattle are also being considered, according to the command's announcement, which was issued as an advertisement in the Pacific Daily News to solicit public comments. A cooperative effort between the Navy and the Army, the Joint High Speed Vehicles, or JHSVs will be used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, vehicles and equipment, according to an earlier Defense Department announcement of the program on defenselink.mil. "JHSVs will be capable of transporting 700 short tons (within) 1,200 nautical miles at an average speed of 35 knots, and can operate in shallow-draft ports and waterways, interfacing with roll-on/roll-off discharge facilities, and on/off-loading a combat-loaded Abrams Main Battle Tank," according to the Defense Department. These ships all give commanders the ability to roll on a company with full gear and equipment, or roll on a full infantry battalion if used only as a troop transport, haul it intra-theater distances, then move their shallow draft safely into austere ports to roll them off, according www.defenseindustrydaily.com. Initial uses of the high-speed vessels have led to a $1.6 billion program called the Joint High Speed Vessel, which could involve up to 10 ships, according to defenseinustrydaily.com. The Army Environmental Command notice for public comment says up to 12 Joint High Speed Vessels will be stationed. The U.S. Army Environmental Command welcomes public comments on the plan. Send comments to: Mail: ATTN: IMAE-PA, Public Affairs Office U.S. Army Environmental Command, 5179 Hoadley Road Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, 21010 Phone: (410) 436-2556; (410) 436-1693; Email: APGR-USAECNEPA@conus.army.mil.

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Superferry Return to Hawaii Commnet by Lanny Sinkin on 5 February 2010 - Are these vessels similar to the Superferry built by Austal that operated in Hawaiian waters for a period of time? If so, are you aware that opposition to the operation of such vessels in Hawaiian waters was so intense that people entered the water to block the passage of the boat, pursued extensive litigation to stop the boat's operation, demonstrated against the boat in large numbers, and otherwise objected to the operation of such boats, primarily for environmental reasons.? Are you aware that an environmental impacts hearing was held as part of the litigation and that the judge ruled that the operations of the boat would almost certainly cause irreparable environmental damage? Are you aware that opposition was so intense that the United States Coast Guard used the national security powers of the United States to put in place a security zone in Nawiliwili Harbor, Kaua'i to prevent protestors from blocking the boat and were sued for doing so? Do you intend to prepare an EIS for the stationing of these boats in Hawaiian waters? That you would consider basing up to twn such ships where operation of one caused such an uproar is remarkable. I look forward to hearing from you. .