Interesting articles in the current issue of Workboat at workboat.com:
WorkBoat Cover Story - February 2008
U.S. Army Chief of Engineers Launches BlogU.S. Newswire Feb 14, 12:38 PM EST
Second Car Ferry to Be Added to Bremerton Run Next WeekThe Seattle Times Feb 14, 04:39 PM EST
Bremerton Ferry Riders Fed UpThe Seattle Times Feb 13, 10:23 AM EST
I am thinking more and more that HSF should be redeployed commercially in the Seattle-Bremerton area where it has a chance to make money and that the returning Stryker Brigades should also be permanently placed there at Ft. Lewis, WA, instead of Hawaii. There are legitimate geographic route and proximity arguments relative to China in favor of that. Almost everybody can get what they want with this idea. Here is a Google satellite image of the Seattle-Bremerton area: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=seattle+and+bremerton,+wa&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
Here is a Google satellite image of the Ft. Lewis, WA area just south of Seattle: http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=ft+lewis,+wa&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&tab=wl
Zoom in and take a look at the ferry facilities at Seattle and near Ft. Lewis. They are perfect for this vessel.
I have a lot of new things to put up, including some good multimedia stuff, just doing this now because it is quick and easy.
Aloha, Brad
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Friday, February 22, 2008
HI Superferry: Research on State/HSF Kahului Barge
The following is reposted with permission from http://www.islandbreath.org/, my comments at the bottom:
Were HSF Harbor Designs Rushed? by Bill Schultz on 20 February 2008
"I was looking for information to confirm or deny the rumored damage to the HSF and came across this useful site: http://www6.hawaii.gov/spo2/emergency/
You'll find an emergency requisition request for the services of a Naval architect regarding a barge in Kahului. It's: http://www6.hawaii.gov/spo2/emergency/attachments/emerg99.pdf
I thought it odd that the requirements and scope of work require that the findings 'shall support assurances that the operations of state owned equipment are in the interest of safety of the operators and the general public,' that the report should 'Provide load calculation, stamped by a professional engineer, for the Kahului barge soft line mooring system SHOWING THE ADEQUACY AND INTEGRITY OF THE LINES AND MOORING SYSTEM' (emphasis added) and furthur that 'The calculations should be based on the basis of the original mooring system.'
Apparently, the state had not previously had the load calculations performed by a professional naval architect or they would have simply produced the document at the CG's request after the barge broke loose and the bollards were sheered off.
Would a reputable naval architect agree to the terms of the requested report given that the calculations had not yet been performed but the results are already specified?
Why was the no-bid work awarded to a company as far away as Alexandria, VA, when another emergency procurement regarding naval architect services and the barge evaluation was awarded to a local company on the same day? See: http://www6.hawaii.gov/spo2/emergency/attachments/emerg98.pdf
Why would the winner of the $12,000.00 contract agree to these terms unless they had some interest in getting the HSF into service at the earliest possible date?
The company is Alion Science and Technology, rated number 79 in the top 100 defense contractors of 2007. The same company whose declared growth strategy includes 'we anticipate expanding our support to the U.S. Navy in new ship systems such as DD(x) and LCS.' "LCS" is navspeak for "Littoral Combat Ship." This quote is from the 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange commision and can be found at: http://www.secinfo.com/dsvRq.vdf.htm
The same company whose chief science advisor is retired Admiral Edward Lindquist, one of the most prolific writers and outspoken advocates of LCS development: http://www.marinelink.com/Story/LCS+Mission+Packages+Being+Assembled,+Tested+at+%20Panama+City-202603.html
http://www.shipbuilding.com/Story/ShowStory.aspx?StoryID=208251 http://www.nedsjotw.com/blog/DefenseJobs/EyeontheNavy/_archives/2006/5/17/2530657.html I haven't found what I was looking for yet but I thought you'd be interested in this... development." END QUOTE FROM Bill Schultz
I'll just comment from Bill's second to the last article quoted above: "Alion Awarded $5.6m Contract Option" "The Naval Sea Systems Command has exercised a $5.6m contract option for Alion Science and Technology, an employee-owned technology solutions company, to provide acquisition management support to its Program Executive Office Ships Acquisition Management (PEO Ships AM) Directorate."
The PEO SAM is the office handling the whole JHSV contract process and selection, of which Austal-USA is expected to submit a design based on the same hull and general design of the HSF Alakai. Alion is providing PEO SAM "acquisition management support" and providing the state of Hawaii the required barge evaluation that "Provide load calculation, stamped by a professional engineer, for the Kahului barge soft line mooring system SHOWING THE ADEQUACY AND INTEGRITY OF THE LINES AND MOORING SYSTEM."
There is more research that could be done on this whole barge issue. The main question I would ask is why was a barge decided on when these fast ferries often have their own ramp built onto the ship that can be extended out by the ship when loading/unloading. In fact, one of the requirements of fast ferries leased by the military and of the JHSV program is that they have their own extendable ramps onboard. So my question, why was the state convinced by HSF to build the barge/ramp?
Aloha, Brad
Bill Schultz from above points out the following links in his continuing research:
Regarding a Professional Services Contract for an 'Intra-island Passenger Ferry Service on a Demonstration Basis' and Alion [Editor's note: This may be reference to 'The Boat']:
http://www4.hawaii.gov/professionalservices/showrest.cfm?RecKey=4083
Regarding Alion Science & Technology:
http://www.alionscience.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Services.viewpage&subserviceid=139&serviceid=7&pageid=152
'Read the page carefully. They actually take credit for designing the least reliable and biggest failures in the fast ferry business, the Pacificats.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_Ferry_Scandal
And for another interesting piece of information regarding Alion. Read this:
http://www.alionscience.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=mediaroom.viewnews&newsid=131
The T-craft is how they plan to unload [the JHSV on open water].
END QUOTE FROM Bill Schultz
Were HSF Harbor Designs Rushed? by Bill Schultz on 20 February 2008
"I was looking for information to confirm or deny the rumored damage to the HSF and came across this useful site: http://www6.hawaii.gov/spo2/emergency/
You'll find an emergency requisition request for the services of a Naval architect regarding a barge in Kahului. It's: http://www6.hawaii.gov/spo2/emergency/attachments/emerg99.pdf
I thought it odd that the requirements and scope of work require that the findings 'shall support assurances that the operations of state owned equipment are in the interest of safety of the operators and the general public,' that the report should 'Provide load calculation, stamped by a professional engineer, for the Kahului barge soft line mooring system SHOWING THE ADEQUACY AND INTEGRITY OF THE LINES AND MOORING SYSTEM' (emphasis added) and furthur that 'The calculations should be based on the basis of the original mooring system.'
Apparently, the state had not previously had the load calculations performed by a professional naval architect or they would have simply produced the document at the CG's request after the barge broke loose and the bollards were sheered off.
Would a reputable naval architect agree to the terms of the requested report given that the calculations had not yet been performed but the results are already specified?
Why was the no-bid work awarded to a company as far away as Alexandria, VA, when another emergency procurement regarding naval architect services and the barge evaluation was awarded to a local company on the same day? See: http://www6.hawaii.gov/spo2/emergency/attachments/emerg98.pdf
Why would the winner of the $12,000.00 contract agree to these terms unless they had some interest in getting the HSF into service at the earliest possible date?
The company is Alion Science and Technology, rated number 79 in the top 100 defense contractors of 2007. The same company whose declared growth strategy includes 'we anticipate expanding our support to the U.S. Navy in new ship systems such as DD(x) and LCS.' "LCS" is navspeak for "Littoral Combat Ship." This quote is from the 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange commision and can be found at: http://www.secinfo.com/dsvRq.vdf.htm
The same company whose chief science advisor is retired Admiral Edward Lindquist, one of the most prolific writers and outspoken advocates of LCS development: http://www.marinelink.com/Story/LCS+Mission+Packages+Being+Assembled,+Tested+at+%20Panama+City-202603.html
http://www.shipbuilding.com/Story/ShowStory.aspx?StoryID=208251 http://www.nedsjotw.com/blog/DefenseJobs/EyeontheNavy/_archives/2006/5/17/2530657.html I haven't found what I was looking for yet but I thought you'd be interested in this... development." END QUOTE FROM Bill Schultz
I'll just comment from Bill's second to the last article quoted above: "Alion Awarded $5.6m Contract Option" "The Naval Sea Systems Command has exercised a $5.6m contract option for Alion Science and Technology, an employee-owned technology solutions company, to provide acquisition management support to its Program Executive Office Ships Acquisition Management (PEO Ships AM) Directorate."
The PEO SAM is the office handling the whole JHSV contract process and selection, of which Austal-USA is expected to submit a design based on the same hull and general design of the HSF Alakai. Alion is providing PEO SAM "acquisition management support" and providing the state of Hawaii the required barge evaluation that "Provide load calculation, stamped by a professional engineer, for the Kahului barge soft line mooring system SHOWING THE ADEQUACY AND INTEGRITY OF THE LINES AND MOORING SYSTEM."
There is more research that could be done on this whole barge issue. The main question I would ask is why was a barge decided on when these fast ferries often have their own ramp built onto the ship that can be extended out by the ship when loading/unloading. In fact, one of the requirements of fast ferries leased by the military and of the JHSV program is that they have their own extendable ramps onboard. So my question, why was the state convinced by HSF to build the barge/ramp?
Aloha, Brad
Bill Schultz from above points out the following links in his continuing research:
Regarding a Professional Services Contract for an 'Intra-island Passenger Ferry Service on a Demonstration Basis' and Alion [Editor's note: This may be reference to 'The Boat']:
http://www4.hawaii.gov/professionalservices/showrest.cfm?RecKey=4083
Regarding Alion Science & Technology:
http://www.alionscience.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=Services.viewpage&subserviceid=139&serviceid=7&pageid=152
'Read the page carefully. They actually take credit for designing the least reliable and biggest failures in the fast ferry business, the Pacificats.'
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_Ferry_Scandal
And for another interesting piece of information regarding Alion. Read this:
http://www.alionscience.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=mediaroom.viewnews&newsid=131
The T-craft is how they plan to unload [the JHSV on open water].
END QUOTE FROM Bill Schultz
Thursday, February 21, 2008
HI Superferry: Drydock Extended through Mar.24
The above picture was forwarded from Dr. Lee Tepley taken by an anonymous professional photographer. Click on image.***
OK, it was easier e-mailing out the news when Pacific Business News reported it online late yesterday. We'll start first with this:Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 4:24 PM HST
Hawaii Superferry drydock extended
Pacific Business News (Honolulu)
The Hawaii Superferry will be out of commission for repairs three weeks longer than originally expected. The interisland ferry Alakai was taken out of service Feb. 13 and was to be put back into service on March 3. On Wednesday, Superferry officials said the ship would go back into service on March 25. The company said the work was extended announced "due to damage to Alakai's hull that occurred during the drydocking process and additional maintenance that was identified while the vessel has been in drydock."
And the next day from the Honolulu Advertiser:
Posted on: Thursday, February 21, 2008
Superferry to be out of service until March 25
Advertiser Staff
..."Hawaii Superferry president and CEO John Garibaldi said the rudder problem is the result of a design flaw, and that staff from shipbuilder Austal USA came to Honolulu to assist with repairs, which involve strengthening the metal around the [rudder] housing.
He said a similar vessel built by Austal recently experienced the same rudder trouble.
Terry O'Halloran, Hawaii Superferry director of business development, said the rudder repairs are expected to be completed in the next few days, but that work will continue on fixing the Alakai's hull, which suffered dents while it was being maneuvered into drydock by a tugboat and during the drydock operation."...
And the following with permission from Juan Wilson's page http://www.islandbreath.org/ on Kauai:
SUBJECT: SUPERFERRY DAMAGE
SOURCE: BILL SCHULTZ
Superferry damaged on way to dry dock
[Editor's Note: The following report was held until a partial confirmation was available from the Honolulu Advertiser. This story, if true, is more bad news for the future operation of the Superferry.-Juan Wilson]
Did tug seriuously damage Superferry? by Bill Schultz on 19 February 2008
"I just heard an unconfirmed report from a sea-faring friend on Maui. She says the ferry was being towed into drydock when the lines parted. She went aground and got stuck in the mud. A tug was called to push her off. It pushed a big hole in the side, damaging two of her ribs and at least two of the decks. Major repairs. Cursed ship? Have you heard anything about this?" END QUOTE
BTW, I don't believe Kauila Clark's blessing worked on the Alakai. If they try to operate again commercially here in Hawaii, I might recommend they seek another blessing.
Aloha, Brad
Sunday, February 17, 2008
HI Superferry: China's military fast catamaran from Australia
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HI Superferry: China's military fast catamaran from Australia, the fast cat from Hell.
***
There has been a lot of information come out in the past month on the JHSV. I will publish a survey of that. For now, I just wanted to get this out.
***
China's equivalent technology military fast catamaran developed by the Australian firm AMD Marine Consulting whose principals have longstanding contacts in Hong Kong. It doesn't appear to have a western name yet, so I am calling it the "HellCat," the Houbei "HellCat" Type 022 wave-piercing catamaran. There is no good intention with this particular vessel. Although, the designs AMD350PB and AMD438YS look more economical, quickly built, and cheaper than any other LCS, JHSV, or fast ferry design I have seen. This is what the Neocon's are worried about:
***
Australia's role in China's naval expansion
by Sam Roggeveen 2 weeks ago - Sam Roggeveen, formerly a senior analyst with Australia’s intelligence agency, the Office of National Assessments. Roggeveen is now with the Lowy Institute security think tank. --
***
Australia's role in China's naval expansion
by Sam Roggeveen 2 weeks ago - Sam Roggeveen, formerly a senior analyst with Australia’s intelligence agency, the Office of National Assessments. Roggeveen is now with the Lowy Institute security think tank. --
"On 4 December an obscure American naval technology trade journal called Signal published an article on a new generation of missile-armed catamarans (the Type 022; pictured) being built for China’s navy, the People’s Liberation Army-Navy (PLAN). The article was all about the tactical employment of these new ships in a Taiwan war scenario, and thrown in almost as an aside was the following:
'The Australian company AMD exports various sizes of catamarans for commercial customers from all parts of the world. From 1993 until 2000, China procured seven AMD catamarans from 16 meters long to 30 meters (100 feet) long for river, seaport or local ferry duties. AMD has a joint venture company, Sea Bus International, located in Guangzhou that refined this catamaran design. After a review of competing designs, the PLAN selected a military patrol boat design based on the AMD 350, which is markedly like the 022 in specifications. AMD is cooperating in the design with China, and French diesels may be the power plant.'"...Read rest of article here.
***
From the original article and navy analyst who reported this in Dec. 2007:
"Catamarans Glide Through Chinese Waters," Signal Magazine, December 2007 - By James C. Bussert - James C. Bussert is employed at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Virginia. --
"Catamarans Glide Through Chinese Waters," Signal Magazine, December 2007 - By James C. Bussert - James C. Bussert is employed at the Naval Surface Warfare Center in Virginia. --
"China is launching catamaran missile boats in large numbers in what might be a program to replace long-standing conventional missile boats. However, the new missile catamarans are painted in blue and white camouflage colors that are characteristic of the Chinese marines. This raises questions about the boats’ real missions—questions that might be intentionally generated by the paint scheme.
...However, the startup of production for additional 022 hulls in Dalian, Quixin and Jiangnan shipyards in Shanghai, as well as in the Huangpu shipyard in Guangzhou, changed this precept.
...No other nation has missile catamaran boats with marine missions. Western observers may have difficulty understanding a Chinese design if it does not fit their blue water or littoral mission concepts. But the number one objective of the Chinese government is reunification by bringing the renegade island of Taiwan back into the Chinese nation. If this must be done by an invasion, then gunfire support of the amphibious landing is a gap in PLAN capabilities. The ideal U.S. Navy invasion gunfire support platforms were the U.S. Navy 16-inch battleship guns and 8-inch cruiser guns that provided crushing firepower in World War II. Use of the many PLA intermediate-range ballistic missiles located in Fujian province would destroy much of the Taiwan infrastructure, which would be counterproductive. On the other hand, the small missile catamarans need only travel from Fujian province ports to the Taiwan landing sites. Their design may make no sense to Western observers, but it meets China’s most important unique government and PLAN objective. The catamaran-based missiles could be used to support Taiwan amphibious landings."...Read full article here.
***
On further searching, this Type 022 vessel began to be reported in 2004 and again in 2005. That is probably when the invested parties here found out about it. See the following great blog entry from an Australian National University professor:
"Australian designed missile ships for China"
"The Lowy Institute for International Policy has reported that a new generation of missile-armed catamarans for China’s navy are based on an Australian design by AMD. http://www.amd.com.au/designs/amd350pb.php The US military have previously used several designs adapted from Australian fast ferry designs.
The Lowy report, released on 31 January 2008, is not exactly news, as the use of a wave-piercing catamaran hull design for "boat 2208", was reported in the DefenceTalk.com blog http://www.defencetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2935 in 2004. and the Proceedings of the U.S. Naval Institute, July 2005 ("Combat Fleets", by Eric Wertheim). At the time I noted the similar appearance to Australian high-speed catamarans. http://www.tomw.net.au/2002/tsv1x/tsv1x.shtml#china The wikipedia describes them as the "Houbei class missile boat" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houbei_class_missile_boat and that entry was updated with mention of AMD in April 2007:
'The Houbei class missile boat is the newest class of missile boat in the People's Liberation Army Navy that first appeared in April 2004. The boats incorporate obvious stealthy features and were first built by the Qiuxin Shipbuilding Factory at Shanghai. These wave-piercing catamaran boats numbered from 2208 through 2211 and more are planned and built. The design of the Houbei class was reportedly developed with AMD Marine Consulting, a leading Australian company on catamaran designs for fast ferries.'
'Specifications
Displacement: 220 ton
Length: 43 m
Beam: 12 m
Draft: 1.5 mSpeed: 36 kt
Armament:
Anti-ship missiles: 8 C-801/802/803
Surface-to-air missiles: 12 MANPAD missiles
Guns: 1 x licensed copy of KBP AO-18 6-barrel 30 mm gun (AK-630) by ZEERI
Propulsion: 2 diesel engines @ 6,865 hp with 4 waterjet propulsors by MARI
Radars:
Surface search radar: 1 Type 362
Navigational radar: 1Electro-optics: HEOS 300'
From: Houbei class missile boat, Wikipedia, 00:19, 23 December 2007.
The ships are produced by Chinese company, GUMECO, which has built an AMD designed ferry(YS438,170-seat aluminum catamaran passenger vessel).
The USAV Spearhead (TSV-1X): High Speed US Army Transport Ship was built by the Incat, in Tasmania and is a modified high speed ferry. The HSV-2 Swift is a similar ship from Incat, used by the US Navy, modified with a helicopter flight deck and armament. The Western Australian company Austal. is building a Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) trimaran for the US Navy in conjunction with General Dynamics.
Apart from their high speed, the Australian designed passenger ferries have a low draft and large deck area. The low draft allows them to unload cargo and vehicles rapidly in unimproved ports or to landing craft. The large deck area provided potential for use with helicopters."...
posted by Tom Worthington at 7:54 AM on February 01, 2008 at:
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Also see article and pictures at: http://www.sinodefence.com/navy/littoral/type022.asp
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Additional articles of good coverage on this:
***
Aloha, Brad
Aloha, Brad
Friday, February 15, 2008
HI Superferry: Great Letter to the Editor, Maui News today
Here was a brief, great letter to the editor of the Maui News today, 2/15/08:
"Washington’s fleet of ferries could use Hawaii’s ship"
POSTED: February 15, 2008
Here on Puget Sound we have a sinking fleet of ferries, old and needing replacing.
What an excellent opportunity for solving your Superferry “problem” — sell it to Washington State. And, we promise not to injure any whales.
John W. Cooper
Bellevue, Wash.
Recent news story related to this:
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080206/NEWS/802060302
Still, would be a whole lot easier plowing the Puget Sound and proving ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) sea trials for the JHSV design while not having to deal with the "unpredictably crazy" 20+ft. waves of the Pailolo Channel.
Also, Joan Conrow pointed out the related very interesting article:
"Tough sledding for fast vehicle ferries"
By Bruce Buls, Technical Editor, Workboat.com
http://divcom-fish.informz.net/admin31/content/template.asp?sid=6927&ptid=169&brandid=3174&uid=752956450&mi=260951
Aloha, Brad
"Washington’s fleet of ferries could use Hawaii’s ship"
POSTED: February 15, 2008
Here on Puget Sound we have a sinking fleet of ferries, old and needing replacing.
What an excellent opportunity for solving your Superferry “problem” — sell it to Washington State. And, we promise not to injure any whales.
John W. Cooper
Bellevue, Wash.
Recent news story related to this:
http://www.peninsuladailynews.com/article/20080206/NEWS/802060302
Still, would be a whole lot easier plowing the Puget Sound and proving ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) sea trials for the JHSV design while not having to deal with the "unpredictably crazy" 20+ft. waves of the Pailolo Channel.
Also, Joan Conrow pointed out the related very interesting article:
"Tough sledding for fast vehicle ferries"
By Bruce Buls, Technical Editor, Workboat.com
http://divcom-fish.informz.net/admin31/content/template.asp?sid=6927&ptid=169&brandid=3174&uid=752956450&mi=260951
Aloha, Brad
HI Superferry: Oversight Taskforce Committee Meeting of 2/13/08
This was the third monthly meeting of the Act 2 Temporary Oversight Taskforce Committee. The first one on Maui, next one due on Oahu in March, and April due back again on Maui. I was wondering why not Kauai or the Big Island? Personally, I think the next meeting should be on the Big Island. See my captions to each of the photos for additional information. There was a lot of good reporting and public comments in this meeting. I think the circle helped for a lot of good interaction. There was some informal ho'oponopono going on here of which Dennis Chun has spoken.
See: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21400600@N03/sets/72157603918577939/
The 13 members of the committee are:
Randy Awo, DOCARE/DLNR, Maui
Domingo Cravalho, DOA designee, Oahu
Collette Y. Machado, Molokai
Dennis Chun, Kauai
William J. Aila, Jr., Oahu
Laura Thielen, DLNR, Oahu
Mike Formby, DOT designee and facilitator
Lynn McCrory, Kauai (new member replacing Jeff Mira)
Michael Q. Lau, AG designee, Oahu
John Garibaldi, HSF, Oahu
Michael Matsukawa, Big Island (absent for this meeting)
Sarah Peck, Big Island (absent for this meeting)
Kauila Clark, Oahu (others pointed out has missed 2 of 3 meetings so far)
Also present were Terry O'Hallaron presenting for HSF, I believe Napua Brown observing for Big Island Mayor Harry Kim, and Debbie Kuwaye doing the recordkeeping and assisting Mike Formby. A lot of materials were handed over to Debbie for recordkeeping. Debbie can be reached at (808) 587-3651.
Some notes not mentioned in my picture captions:
Akaku filmed the whole meeting. Dave is in charge of that video.
Christie Wilson was present but did not report on this meeting in particular. She was writing copy on her laptop by halfway through the meeting.
Dick Mayer called the Maui News when they did not show, and they sent Chris Hamilton who was present for the later 2/3rds of the meeting. His report is at: http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/500359.html?nav=10
DOA Presentation - Are monitoring, not inspecting. One DOA inspector at each harbor who normally serves as the Maritime Office Inspector. HSF had 24 days of ops. in January, 7 days of no ops. Infractions included 125 lbs of lava rocks and 10 lbs. of coral among others.
HSF Presentation - Jan. 1 - 31, 2008 -
Average Loads:
Oahu to Maui - 141 passengers, 43 vehicles
Maui to Oahu - 146 passengers, 43 vehicles
On questioning range of passengers is "over 100 to under 300."
Of 48 one-way sailings, 13 of 24 to Maui went south of Molokai through Whale Sanctuary resulting in 22 whale sightings/avoidance, but 3 whale approaches of less than 100 yards.
Capt. and Chief Mate watch for whales in addition to 2 dedicated whale lookouts, one on starboard and one on port. The lookouts were trained by the Humpback Whale Sanctuary.
Uncle Les proposed GPS be fixed and reported on all close whale approaches. Uncle Les also asked if rental cars are allowed on HSF. Terry got cut off before he could answer that question. Uncle Les also questioned the safety and stability of this vessel and mentioned that this ride is too rough for elderly kapuna, a comment I had reaffirmed to me again by others in e-mail today.
Uncle Les and Collette translated that Pailolo Channel means "unpredictably crazy" Channel.
DOCARE/DLNR Presentation - Dec. 13 - Feb. 8 -
3 DLNR inspectors at the Kahului, Maui Harbor whenever HSF is in. Mostly observing and assisting HSF screeners.
Dennis Chun asked about origination of cars with infractions. Terry did not know. Mike Formby asked that a question be asked on infractions of where cars originate from.
Collette voiced concern that more inspectors be ready in case ridership goes up in May, June, July, and August. Called Randy the "Maka'ala" one on this.
Lance Holter voiced concern that as much inspection by DLNR/DOA needs to be done on Oahu as is being done on Maui.
Jeff Parker voiced detailed concern about Hawaii's pure pollinators and the varroa mite. He passed a lot of good, detailed documentation to Mike Formby and Debbie Kuwaye.
Irene Bowie voiced concern about the lack of usefullness of night vision at the speeds involved for if/when a second daily voyage happens.
Dick Mayer proposed the idea of "amnesty buckets" and stiff penalties for attempted infractions of prohibited items. Dick also recommended that per the Act. 2 language that the OTC include in its final report an itemized list of all costs to the state associated with HSF. Dick also showed a couple minutes of George Peabody's Wild Ride video...the full 8 minutes of which will be on the internet soon.
Sally Raisbeck's comments included, "the more lucrative aspect of building and selling these type of vessels, as opposed to operating this one."
Mike Formby disclosed that the Belt Collins Rapid Risk Assessment team including Dr. Joe Mobley of UH is costing $250,000 in addition to the $1 million for the Act. 2 EIS.
Laura Thielen mentioned that lessons learned here/with this could be applied to other interisland traffic.
Uncle Les commented further on the long history of Kahului Harbor and the more recent Hale Kiawe Senior Citizens Fishing Club. He gave an interesting translation for Kahului:
"The Kahu who watches the changes."
Aloha, Brad
See: http://www.flickr.com/photos/21400600@N03/sets/72157603918577939/
The 13 members of the committee are:
Randy Awo, DOCARE/DLNR, Maui
Domingo Cravalho, DOA designee, Oahu
Collette Y. Machado, Molokai
Dennis Chun, Kauai
William J. Aila, Jr., Oahu
Laura Thielen, DLNR, Oahu
Mike Formby, DOT designee and facilitator
Lynn McCrory, Kauai (new member replacing Jeff Mira)
Michael Q. Lau, AG designee, Oahu
John Garibaldi, HSF, Oahu
Michael Matsukawa, Big Island (absent for this meeting)
Sarah Peck, Big Island (absent for this meeting)
Kauila Clark, Oahu (others pointed out has missed 2 of 3 meetings so far)
Also present were Terry O'Hallaron presenting for HSF, I believe Napua Brown observing for Big Island Mayor Harry Kim, and Debbie Kuwaye doing the recordkeeping and assisting Mike Formby. A lot of materials were handed over to Debbie for recordkeeping. Debbie can be reached at (808) 587-3651.
Some notes not mentioned in my picture captions:
Akaku filmed the whole meeting. Dave is in charge of that video.
Christie Wilson was present but did not report on this meeting in particular. She was writing copy on her laptop by halfway through the meeting.
Dick Mayer called the Maui News when they did not show, and they sent Chris Hamilton who was present for the later 2/3rds of the meeting. His report is at: http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/500359.html?nav=10
DOA Presentation - Are monitoring, not inspecting. One DOA inspector at each harbor who normally serves as the Maritime Office Inspector. HSF had 24 days of ops. in January, 7 days of no ops. Infractions included 125 lbs of lava rocks and 10 lbs. of coral among others.
HSF Presentation - Jan. 1 - 31, 2008 -
Average Loads:
Oahu to Maui - 141 passengers, 43 vehicles
Maui to Oahu - 146 passengers, 43 vehicles
On questioning range of passengers is "over 100 to under 300."
Of 48 one-way sailings, 13 of 24 to Maui went south of Molokai through Whale Sanctuary resulting in 22 whale sightings/avoidance, but 3 whale approaches of less than 100 yards.
Capt. and Chief Mate watch for whales in addition to 2 dedicated whale lookouts, one on starboard and one on port. The lookouts were trained by the Humpback Whale Sanctuary.
Uncle Les proposed GPS be fixed and reported on all close whale approaches. Uncle Les also asked if rental cars are allowed on HSF. Terry got cut off before he could answer that question. Uncle Les also questioned the safety and stability of this vessel and mentioned that this ride is too rough for elderly kapuna, a comment I had reaffirmed to me again by others in e-mail today.
Uncle Les and Collette translated that Pailolo Channel means "unpredictably crazy" Channel.
DOCARE/DLNR Presentation - Dec. 13 - Feb. 8 -
3 DLNR inspectors at the Kahului, Maui Harbor whenever HSF is in. Mostly observing and assisting HSF screeners.
Dennis Chun asked about origination of cars with infractions. Terry did not know. Mike Formby asked that a question be asked on infractions of where cars originate from.
Collette voiced concern that more inspectors be ready in case ridership goes up in May, June, July, and August. Called Randy the "Maka'ala" one on this.
Lance Holter voiced concern that as much inspection by DLNR/DOA needs to be done on Oahu as is being done on Maui.
Jeff Parker voiced detailed concern about Hawaii's pure pollinators and the varroa mite. He passed a lot of good, detailed documentation to Mike Formby and Debbie Kuwaye.
Irene Bowie voiced concern about the lack of usefullness of night vision at the speeds involved for if/when a second daily voyage happens.
Dick Mayer proposed the idea of "amnesty buckets" and stiff penalties for attempted infractions of prohibited items. Dick also recommended that per the Act. 2 language that the OTC include in its final report an itemized list of all costs to the state associated with HSF. Dick also showed a couple minutes of George Peabody's Wild Ride video...the full 8 minutes of which will be on the internet soon.
Sally Raisbeck's comments included, "the more lucrative aspect of building and selling these type of vessels, as opposed to operating this one."
Mike Formby disclosed that the Belt Collins Rapid Risk Assessment team including Dr. Joe Mobley of UH is costing $250,000 in addition to the $1 million for the Act. 2 EIS.
Laura Thielen mentioned that lessons learned here/with this could be applied to other interisland traffic.
Uncle Les commented further on the long history of Kahului Harbor and the more recent Hale Kiawe Senior Citizens Fishing Club. He gave an interesting translation for Kahului:
"The Kahu who watches the changes."
Aloha, Brad
HI Superferry: Good stuff from Dr.Tepley on Rudder
The Superferry's rudder problems - more than you ever wanted to know.
From: Lee Tepley
Sent: Thu 2/14/08 9:05 PM
The Superferry's rudder problems- more than you ever wanted to know. Feel free to circulate
Open the attached PDF file and
1. You will see real live pictures of the Superferry' s mysterious "Auxiliary rudders".
2. You will read about how the rudders caused "hair-line cracks" , "surface cracks" or whatever to the pontoons of the poor struggllng Superferry.
3. You will even learn how it may all have happened.
4. You will read conflicting and confusing interpretations of the Auxiliary rudder problems from HSF representatives, the Coast Guard and news reporters.
If you can't open the PDF file you can get the same information on my web-site. Just go to the
http://web.mac.com/leetepley/Site/Superferry_Rudder_Problems_-_New_Data.html
Then go the page called "Superferry Rudder Problems - New data"
Aloha,
Lee
From: Lee Tepley
Sent: Thu 2/14/08 9:05 PM
The Superferry's rudder problems- more than you ever wanted to know. Feel free to circulate
Open the attached PDF file and
1. You will see real live pictures of the Superferry' s mysterious "Auxiliary rudders".
2. You will read about how the rudders caused "hair-line cracks" , "surface cracks" or whatever to the pontoons of the poor struggllng Superferry.
3. You will even learn how it may all have happened.
4. You will read conflicting and confusing interpretations of the Auxiliary rudder problems from HSF representatives, the Coast Guard and news reporters.
If you can't open the PDF file you can get the same information on my web-site. Just go to the
http://web.mac.com/leetepley/Site/Superferry_Rudder_Problems_-_New_Data.html
Then go the page called "Superferry Rudder Problems - New data"
Aloha,
Lee
Thursday, February 7, 2008
Seastate Barf-O-Meter Index (version 2.3)
This is the second enhanced edition of the "Barf-O-Meter Index." This Index is now overlayed on the Beaufort scale. I have added a color coding that would be useful for the Beaufort scale. The Barf-O-Meter is a half parody/half serious attempt to measure likelihood of seasickness on a specific sea transit in any kind of vessel giving equal weighting to wind speed and wave height.
I will just comment that Beaufort assumes that wind determines waves. Here in Hawaii we know that sometimes Low Pressure determines waves thousands of miles away independent of wind, and so I created the index that gives almost equal weighting to both with slightly more weighting to wave. There are many aspects to measuring seastates and seasickness that could be further developed by a graduate student somewhere. There are a few more nuances about Beaufort that I noticed, for example the the exact range of wind and wave measurements, but for now I will get into the:
Barf------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -Int'l
Threat-Color-Beaufort- Puke--------Wind-Speed---------Wave-Height---- ---Barf-----WMO*
Level - Code- Force----Prospect---knots-----km/h-----feet--------meters-- -Index*- Class -- Conditions
1----- -White----0-------Possible---0 - 10---0 - 19---- 0-[2]-3--- 0-[.6]-.9 --0 - 20--Calm-----Flat
------------------1-------Puking - --------------------------------------------------------Light Air---Ripples
------------------2-------Unlikely ----------------------------------------------------Light Breeze- -Sm. wavelets
------------------3-------Seasickness ---------------------------------------------Gentle Breeze ---Lg. wavelets
2-------Yellow---4-------Scattered--11-16---20-29-----3.3-6.3---1M-1.9M---21-35--Moderate-Small wave
---------------------------Puking - ---------------------------------------------------------Breeze--
---------------------------Less than Likely Seasickness
3-------Orange--5-------Rising-----17-21---30-39-----6.6-9.6---2M-2.9M---36-51--Fresh----Moderate wave
---------------------------Puking - --------------------------------------------------------Breeze
---------------------------Somewhat Likely Seasickness
4--------Red-----6-------Probable--22-27---40-50-----9.9-13---3M-3.9M---52-67--Strong----Large wave
---------------------------Puking - --------------------------------------------------------Breeze
---------------------------Likely Seasickness---------------------------------------------U.S. Small Craft Adv.
5-------Purple---7------Widespread-28-33--51-61-----13.3 -----4M-5.4M-- 68-88--Near Gale--Seas heap
---------------------------Puking - --------------------------17.9-------------------------U.S. Small Craft Adv.
---------------------------More than Likely Seasickness
6-------Brown---8-------Definite-----34-40---62-75----18.3 -----5.5M - -- -89-110--Gale-----Mod high wave
-------Borderline--------Puking - ---------------------------22.9-------6.9M-------------U.S. Gale Warning
--Unsafe Conditions----Very Likely Seasickness
7-------Black---9--------Deathly-----41-47---76-87----23.3 -----7M - -- -111-137--Strong Gale--High wave
--Unsafe Conditions-------Puking - ---------------------------29.6-------8.9M-------------U.S. Gale Warning
---------------------------Certain Seasickness
Copyright - Brad Parsons
* The Barf Index is calculated in the U.S.: Index = kn + (ft x 3),
and in metric International: Index = (km/hr)/1.85 + (M x 9.9).
This results in the same Barf Index for the whole wide world!
WMO above stands for World Meteorological Organization.
**I will add some info. later for Beaufort Force 10-12 that are not a part of the Barf Index. Force 10 and 11 are Tropical Storms and Force 12 is a Hurricane.
***I will also include a short list of additional links that I found useful and accurate:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea-sickness
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9013985/Beaufort-scale
http://www.howtoons.com/toon/the-beaufort-scale/
http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/scales/beaufort.html
http://www.cruise-charter.net/sailing-guide/beaufort-scale.aspx
http://hisuperferry.blogspot.com/2008/01/hi-superferry-survey-of-seasickness-on.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy17uGiocMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g20Qho-JeRA
****Here in Hawaii the source of data with RSS feeds for seastate conditions in wind knots and the higher of two wave heights should be: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/CWF.php. For those of you in New Zealand, the following site is useful for the Cook Strait weather data: http://www.metservice.com/default/index.php?alias=wellingtoninshore and the following site for the slower but necessary ferry service there: http://www.interislander.co.nz/.
Shared primary credit for the ongoing development of this original concept goes to Dick on Maui. Additional thanks to Larry Geller for pushing for its development and for publicizing its existence, to Greg on Maui for pointing out the usefullness of the related Beaufort scale, to Keone on Kauai for developing the thrust of the Puke Prospect nomenclature, to Jonathan on Kauai for his alliteration inspiration, and thanks to Richard in New Zealand for requesting that international metric be included and for pursuing the story.
This has been a Smartypants Guerrilla Research PR Presentation of the Pan-Polynesian Project.
I will just comment that Beaufort assumes that wind determines waves. Here in Hawaii we know that sometimes Low Pressure determines waves thousands of miles away independent of wind, and so I created the index that gives almost equal weighting to both with slightly more weighting to wave. There are many aspects to measuring seastates and seasickness that could be further developed by a graduate student somewhere. There are a few more nuances about Beaufort that I noticed, for example the the exact range of wind and wave measurements, but for now I will get into the:
Seastate Barf-O-Meter Index v.2.3
Copyright - Brad Parsons
Barf------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -Int'l
Threat-Color-Beaufort- Puke--------Wind-Speed---------Wave-Height---- ---Barf-----WMO*
Level - Code- Force----Prospect---knots-----km/h-----feet--------meters-- -Index*- Class -- Conditions
1----- -White----0-------Possible---0 - 10---0 - 19---- 0-[2]-3--- 0-[.6]-.9 --0 - 20--Calm-----Flat
------------------1-------Puking - --------------------------------------------------------Light Air---Ripples
------------------2-------Unlikely ----------------------------------------------------Light Breeze- -Sm. wavelets
------------------3-------Seasickness ---------------------------------------------Gentle Breeze ---Lg. wavelets
2-------Yellow---4-------Scattered--11-16---20-29-----3.3-6.3---1M-1.9M---21-35--Moderate-Small wave
---------------------------Puking - ---------------------------------------------------------Breeze--
---------------------------Less than Likely Seasickness
3-------Orange--5-------Rising-----17-21---30-39-----6.6-9.6---2M-2.9M---36-51--Fresh----Moderate wave
---------------------------Puking - --------------------------------------------------------Breeze
---------------------------Somewhat Likely Seasickness
4--------Red-----6-------Probable--22-27---40-50-----9.9-13---3M-3.9M---52-67--Strong----Large wave
---------------------------Puking - --------------------------------------------------------Breeze
---------------------------Likely Seasickness---------------------------------------------U.S. Small Craft Adv.
5-------Purple---7------Widespread-28-33--51-61-----13.3 -----4M-5.4M-- 68-88--Near Gale--Seas heap
---------------------------Puking - --------------------------17.9-------------------------U.S. Small Craft Adv.
---------------------------More than Likely Seasickness
6-------Brown---8-------Definite-----34-40---62-75----18.3 -----5.5M - -- -89-110--Gale-----Mod high wave
-------Borderline--------Puking - ---------------------------22.9-------6.9M-------------U.S. Gale Warning
--Unsafe Conditions----Very Likely Seasickness
7-------Black---9--------Deathly-----41-47---76-87----23.3 -----7M - -- -111-137--Strong Gale--High wave
--Unsafe Conditions-------Puking - ---------------------------29.6-------8.9M-------------U.S. Gale Warning
---------------------------Certain Seasickness
Copyright - Brad Parsons
* The Barf Index is calculated in the U.S.: Index = kn + (ft x 3),
and in metric International: Index = (km/hr)/1.85 + (M x 9.9).
This results in the same Barf Index for the whole wide world!
WMO above stands for World Meteorological Organization.
**I will add some info. later for Beaufort Force 10-12 that are not a part of the Barf Index. Force 10 and 11 are Tropical Storms and Force 12 is a Hurricane.
***I will also include a short list of additional links that I found useful and accurate:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea-sickness
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaufort_scale
http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9013985/Beaufort-scale
http://www.howtoons.com/toon/the-beaufort-scale/
http://www.unc.edu/~rowlett/units/scales/beaufort.html
http://www.cruise-charter.net/sailing-guide/beaufort-scale.aspx
http://hisuperferry.blogspot.com/2008/01/hi-superferry-survey-of-seasickness-on.html
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy17uGiocMY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g20Qho-JeRA
****Here in Hawaii the source of data with RSS feeds for seastate conditions in wind knots and the higher of two wave heights should be: http://www.prh.noaa.gov/hnl/pages/CWF.php. For those of you in New Zealand, the following site is useful for the Cook Strait weather data: http://www.metservice.com/default/index.php?alias=wellingtoninshore and the following site for the slower but necessary ferry service there: http://www.interislander.co.nz/.
Shared primary credit for the ongoing development of this original concept goes to Dick on Maui. Additional thanks to Larry Geller for pushing for its development and for publicizing its existence, to Greg on Maui for pointing out the usefullness of the related Beaufort scale, to Keone on Kauai for developing the thrust of the Puke Prospect nomenclature, to Jonathan on Kauai for his alliteration inspiration, and thanks to Richard in New Zealand for requesting that international metric be included and for pursuing the story.
This has been a Smartypants Guerrilla Research PR Presentation of the Pan-Polynesian Project.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
HI Superferry: One more about the "Rudder"
From Greg, a knowledgeable mariner:
"What is at stake here is the "deck slamming" capabilities of the vessel at various speeds and wave heights. Marine architects model this. USCG reviews their models and either agrees, modifies or rejects. No real world testing is done on ship design, only hypothetical, especially in the special cruise market. Most passenger vessels are ‘one-offs,’ unique and never tested before. Sure they are built on some form of a platform or hull that has (perhaps) limited history, but it is not until operation can the flaws be detected. What is likely to happen to HSF, is USCG will review engineering calculations, speeds, etc., and place new operational limitations on it. We know O’Halloran disclosed a 19’ wave height “no sail” condition by USCG. Given the current failings of the vessel, they are likely to review and revise this."
Juan Wilson has another good article on this with an indirect Coast Guard source:
SUBJECT: SUPERFERRY DAMAGE
SOURCE: JUAN WILSON
POSTED: 5 FEBRUARY 2008 - 9:45am HST
USCG says Auxiliary Rudders Damaged
http://homepage.mac.com/juanwilson/islandbreath/2008Year/09-access_transport/0809-11HSFrudddermess.html
by Juan Wilson on 5 February 2008
I just got a phone call from Tim Rysdale, of Wailua. He was one of those arrested back in August in the aftermath of the Superferry's attempt to land on Kauai.
Tim's family has always been a supporter of the United States Coast Guard. He maintains friends in the service, despite his disfavor with the USCG coming under the wing of Homeland Security Department.
A friend of Tim's active in the USCG, and in a position to know, has told him that the Superferry uses an new prototype of auxiliary rudder, in addition to other steering mechanisms.
This is in addition to the control surfaces and Humphree devices mentioned as possible "rudders" in previous speculation.
As I understood Tim's description, these rudders are hydraulically rotated through sleeved posts that enter the ship through the aluminum hull. Stress on the posts created cracks that allowed some water to enter the ferry's hull.
With my limited knowledge of ship design, and structural metals, I would maintain that this represents an engineering flaw that has resulted in at least a minor structural failing of the hull.
Yes the Superferry is running again. I'll bet that the next ferry Austal builds will have some re-engineering on the structure of the auxiliary rudders before the boat is ready for sea trials.
George Peabody HSF Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy17uGiocMY
by Juan Wilson on 4 February 2008
George Peabody, of the Molokai-Advertiser News, sent us this portion of a video he shot of the Superferry Alakai passing by Molokai a week ago, before the "rudder" damage was detected.
George has a dial-up internet connection and therefore sent only a small resolution portion of the video. A longer higher resolution version may soon be available. Note, this is the source of the video shown on KGMB-9 TV.
The pitching bow of the Alakai deck in the swell appears to pass through more than 30 vertical feet of movement. Certainly enough to throw passengers of their feet if not holding themselves securely to the ship. I'm not quite clear how or if vehicles are secured on board. I have traveled on large Nantucket vehicle ferries and they do not secure cars and trucks. Could get dicey in a pacific Ocean winter swell.
There must have been tremendous stress on any of the control surfaces deployed and active.
End article.
And another edited evaluation from Lee Tepley, Ph.D.:
Was the Superferry rudder damage caused by a collision...??
From: Lee Tepley
Was the Superferry rudder damage caused by a collision...?? Feel free to circulate.
In an e-mail dated Feb. 2, I made the point that, for earlier Austal fast ferries, an important Austal official had stated that steering at low speeds was controlled by the 4 water jets. At high speeds (above about 25 knots), steering was controlled by Interceptors. In that e-mail (and also on my website), I questioned whether the Superferry even had rudders.
However, yesterday I found the following sentence on the Austal web site: “Austal first developed and implemented the interceptor, and the system now also incorporates sophisticated primary and auxiliary steering systems.”
The last part of the above sentence implies that significant changes were made in the steering systems of the Superferry compared to earlier Austal fast ferries. It implies that Austal was not satisfied with the performance of it’s interceptors which had previously controlled steering at high speed – so it added “sophisticated primary and auxiliary steering systems” which probably included rudders.
This seems to be related to the recent rudder damage to the Superferry. In fact, Superferry officials stated that the damage was related to “the auxiliary rudder which is involved with steering”.
In addition, the Coast Guard supposedly said that “the trouble is with the rudder post which houses the rudder and is controlled by jet drives that help stabilize the Alakai."
The above Coast Guard statement does not seem to make sense but is at least consistent with the idea that the damage was related to the new steering systems.
This suggests that the Superferry may have serious structural problems which did not arise with earlier Austal fast ferries. This seems ironic. I have felt for some time, that HSF could care less about earning money as a commercial operation and that the proposed 2nd daily trip to Maui was only to establish operational reliability with the idea of impressing the military. Joan Conrow has done a great job.... Go to http://www.honoluluweekly.com/. Then read Joan’s story on U.S.S. Superferry.
Anyhow, it now seems that the Superferry is anything but reliable – which may not impress the military - and it may be hard to blame it’s problems all on bad weather.
The structural problems could have been caused by poor design, metal fatigue, etc. They could have also been caused by a protruding rudder or it’s support elements striking an underwater object....
First, lets compare the operation of rudders and interceptors:
1. Interceptors would probably be mounted behind the transom and would only be lowered into the water a short distance (maybe only a few inches) when turning was involved. Vessel drag would be increased for only a short time. It is hard to see how any part of an interceptor could be damaged by striking an underwater object.
2. Rudders would always stick down into the water and would add to the vessel’s drag – reducing the ferries already poor fuel mileage. To minimize this effect, it would be reasonable to make the rudder and supporting posts as thin as thought practical. Thus, if the rudder should strike [an object], it might easily crack. In fact, an auxiliary rudder could be one of the weakest underwater parts of the Superferry....
Aloha,
Lee
I was talking with a couple of knowledgeable people and when the HSF goes over large waves and then slams back down into the water, esp. with high seas and slamming into water between the two catamaran hulls, that that has the potential to do this type of damage. So an object none other than water being slammed into repeatedly after falling off of 20+ foot waves may in fact be the culprit. On a given transit wind waves may be reported to be something like 15 ft., but invariably there will be some rogue waves and sets out there in the channels that are much more than the reported wind wave heights.
Aloha, Brad
"What is at stake here is the "deck slamming" capabilities of the vessel at various speeds and wave heights. Marine architects model this. USCG reviews their models and either agrees, modifies or rejects. No real world testing is done on ship design, only hypothetical, especially in the special cruise market. Most passenger vessels are ‘one-offs,’ unique and never tested before. Sure they are built on some form of a platform or hull that has (perhaps) limited history, but it is not until operation can the flaws be detected. What is likely to happen to HSF, is USCG will review engineering calculations, speeds, etc., and place new operational limitations on it. We know O’Halloran disclosed a 19’ wave height “no sail” condition by USCG. Given the current failings of the vessel, they are likely to review and revise this."
Juan Wilson has another good article on this with an indirect Coast Guard source:
SUBJECT: SUPERFERRY DAMAGE
SOURCE: JUAN WILSON
POSTED: 5 FEBRUARY 2008 - 9:45am HST
USCG says Auxiliary Rudders Damaged
http://homepage.mac.com/juanwilson/islandbreath/2008Year/09-access_transport/0809-11HSFrudddermess.html
by Juan Wilson on 5 February 2008
I just got a phone call from Tim Rysdale, of Wailua. He was one of those arrested back in August in the aftermath of the Superferry's attempt to land on Kauai.
Tim's family has always been a supporter of the United States Coast Guard. He maintains friends in the service, despite his disfavor with the USCG coming under the wing of Homeland Security Department.
A friend of Tim's active in the USCG, and in a position to know, has told him that the Superferry uses an new prototype of auxiliary rudder, in addition to other steering mechanisms.
This is in addition to the control surfaces and Humphree devices mentioned as possible "rudders" in previous speculation.
As I understood Tim's description, these rudders are hydraulically rotated through sleeved posts that enter the ship through the aluminum hull. Stress on the posts created cracks that allowed some water to enter the ferry's hull.
With my limited knowledge of ship design, and structural metals, I would maintain that this represents an engineering flaw that has resulted in at least a minor structural failing of the hull.
Yes the Superferry is running again. I'll bet that the next ferry Austal builds will have some re-engineering on the structure of the auxiliary rudders before the boat is ready for sea trials.
George Peabody HSF Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy17uGiocMY
by Juan Wilson on 4 February 2008
George Peabody, of the Molokai-Advertiser News, sent us this portion of a video he shot of the Superferry Alakai passing by Molokai a week ago, before the "rudder" damage was detected.
George has a dial-up internet connection and therefore sent only a small resolution portion of the video. A longer higher resolution version may soon be available. Note, this is the source of the video shown on KGMB-9 TV.
The pitching bow of the Alakai deck in the swell appears to pass through more than 30 vertical feet of movement. Certainly enough to throw passengers of their feet if not holding themselves securely to the ship. I'm not quite clear how or if vehicles are secured on board. I have traveled on large Nantucket vehicle ferries and they do not secure cars and trucks. Could get dicey in a pacific Ocean winter swell.
There must have been tremendous stress on any of the control surfaces deployed and active.
End article.
And another edited evaluation from Lee Tepley, Ph.D.:
Was the Superferry rudder damage caused by a collision...??
From: Lee Tepley
Was the Superferry rudder damage caused by a collision...?? Feel free to circulate.
In an e-mail dated Feb. 2, I made the point that, for earlier Austal fast ferries, an important Austal official had stated that steering at low speeds was controlled by the 4 water jets. At high speeds (above about 25 knots), steering was controlled by Interceptors. In that e-mail (and also on my website), I questioned whether the Superferry even had rudders.
However, yesterday I found the following sentence on the Austal web site: “Austal first developed and implemented the interceptor, and the system now also incorporates sophisticated primary and auxiliary steering systems.”
The last part of the above sentence implies that significant changes were made in the steering systems of the Superferry compared to earlier Austal fast ferries. It implies that Austal was not satisfied with the performance of it’s interceptors which had previously controlled steering at high speed – so it added “sophisticated primary and auxiliary steering systems” which probably included rudders.
This seems to be related to the recent rudder damage to the Superferry. In fact, Superferry officials stated that the damage was related to “the auxiliary rudder which is involved with steering”.
In addition, the Coast Guard supposedly said that “the trouble is with the rudder post which houses the rudder and is controlled by jet drives that help stabilize the Alakai."
The above Coast Guard statement does not seem to make sense but is at least consistent with the idea that the damage was related to the new steering systems.
This suggests that the Superferry may have serious structural problems which did not arise with earlier Austal fast ferries. This seems ironic. I have felt for some time, that HSF could care less about earning money as a commercial operation and that the proposed 2nd daily trip to Maui was only to establish operational reliability with the idea of impressing the military. Joan Conrow has done a great job.... Go to http://www.honoluluweekly.com/. Then read Joan’s story on U.S.S. Superferry.
Anyhow, it now seems that the Superferry is anything but reliable – which may not impress the military - and it may be hard to blame it’s problems all on bad weather.
The structural problems could have been caused by poor design, metal fatigue, etc. They could have also been caused by a protruding rudder or it’s support elements striking an underwater object....
First, lets compare the operation of rudders and interceptors:
1. Interceptors would probably be mounted behind the transom and would only be lowered into the water a short distance (maybe only a few inches) when turning was involved. Vessel drag would be increased for only a short time. It is hard to see how any part of an interceptor could be damaged by striking an underwater object.
2. Rudders would always stick down into the water and would add to the vessel’s drag – reducing the ferries already poor fuel mileage. To minimize this effect, it would be reasonable to make the rudder and supporting posts as thin as thought practical. Thus, if the rudder should strike [an object], it might easily crack. In fact, an auxiliary rudder could be one of the weakest underwater parts of the Superferry....
Aloha,
Lee
I was talking with a couple of knowledgeable people and when the HSF goes over large waves and then slams back down into the water, esp. with high seas and slamming into water between the two catamaran hulls, that that has the potential to do this type of damage. So an object none other than water being slammed into repeatedly after falling off of 20+ foot waves may in fact be the culprit. On a given transit wind waves may be reported to be something like 15 ft., but invariably there will be some rogue waves and sets out there in the channels that are much more than the reported wind wave heights.
Aloha, Brad
HI Superferry: Coffee with John? and Counts and Pics for 2/4-5/08
No, that's Dave from WA:
Pics and count for 2/4/08:
Pics and count for 2/5/08:
Aloha, Brad
Monday, February 4, 2008
HI Superferry: Comments on Recent Article
Christie Wilson of the Honolulu Advertiser had an interesting article yesterday with a few good tidbits in it: http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080203/NEWS01/802030364
Some quotes from that with my comments in red:
"...beyond the winter months to a time of year 'when sea conditions and weather are more predictable.'" - I think they will find that summer months in the channels going into normal trade winds will be almost as rough.
There are a number of quotes in the article comparing the interisland airline industry to the Superferry. The big difference not mentioned in the article is that an interisland air flight is 30 minutes and convenient. The Superferry's ride is 3 hours and inconvenient. The Superferry cannot compete with that kind of convenience. Fast ferries around the world are successful where there is not superior alternative competition and where the distances of one-way transits are substantially less than 100 miles.
"Maui Land & Pineapple Co. invested $1 million in the new business but has not been using the ferry to ship fruit to Honolulu because "currently the rates are not cost-effective," said Teri Freitas Gorman, vice president of corporate communications. ML&P invested in the ferry because "early on, we saw an opportunity to pull the state together and provide an alternative method of transportation for farmers and small businesses," she said. The company would like to transport refrigerated trucks on the ferry, but under current rules that require vehicles be accompanied by a driver, that would mean putting up the driver overnight in Honolulu until the next ferry leaves for Maui." - Interesting, but Christie left out that ML&P has already sold half of that $1 million investment to Grove Farm on Kauai controlled by some of the same investors as ML&P.
"Gruidl also complained of "extremely rough" seas and said the ferry trip didn't save as much travel time as he expected. - Oh yeah, in the channels I bet. See this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy17uGiocMY
"University of Hawai'i communications professor Tom Kelleher...'When was the last time you've had a case like this? This really is a new concept,' he said." - No, it's not a new concept. Ferries have tried and failed many times in Hawaii. This one's troubles are not merely as simple as timing or PR. This ferry's problems are fundamental to the annual natural elements, distances involved, vessel design, excessive amount of propulsion chosen, and expenses involved. The PR difficulties are merely a reflection of those underlying problems in this business plan. The world does not revolved around PR alone.
From my comment on that article at http://www.topix.com/:
"Done properly would be a ferry with about half the engine power as this one. This kind of fast ferry with 4 diesel jet engines operates financially optimally commercially around the world where there is not superior competition on transits of 30 to 70 miles, not 105 miles each way. This ferry has too much engine power and burns too much fuel to be cost effective for the distances involved here. Plus, this Austal design is not aerodynamic enough to go efficiently against the wind in the channels here. Travelling at engine power for 25 knots+ into a 25 knot wind speed is like 50 knots+ or more than 57.5 miles per hour of effective wind resistence not including gusts. The profile of this vessel is much less aerodynamic than what Incat offers. This vessel has too much engine power and too much wind resistence to be effective for commercial purposes alone here in Hawaii."
Aloha, Brad
Some quotes from that with my comments in red:
"...beyond the winter months to a time of year 'when sea conditions and weather are more predictable.'" - I think they will find that summer months in the channels going into normal trade winds will be almost as rough.
There are a number of quotes in the article comparing the interisland airline industry to the Superferry. The big difference not mentioned in the article is that an interisland air flight is 30 minutes and convenient. The Superferry's ride is 3 hours and inconvenient. The Superferry cannot compete with that kind of convenience. Fast ferries around the world are successful where there is not superior alternative competition and where the distances of one-way transits are substantially less than 100 miles.
"Maui Land & Pineapple Co. invested $1 million in the new business but has not been using the ferry to ship fruit to Honolulu because "currently the rates are not cost-effective," said Teri Freitas Gorman, vice president of corporate communications. ML&P invested in the ferry because "early on, we saw an opportunity to pull the state together and provide an alternative method of transportation for farmers and small businesses," she said. The company would like to transport refrigerated trucks on the ferry, but under current rules that require vehicles be accompanied by a driver, that would mean putting up the driver overnight in Honolulu until the next ferry leaves for Maui." - Interesting, but Christie left out that ML&P has already sold half of that $1 million investment to Grove Farm on Kauai controlled by some of the same investors as ML&P.
"Gruidl also complained of "extremely rough" seas and said the ferry trip didn't save as much travel time as he expected. - Oh yeah, in the channels I bet. See this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy17uGiocMY
"University of Hawai'i communications professor Tom Kelleher...'When was the last time you've had a case like this? This really is a new concept,' he said." - No, it's not a new concept. Ferries have tried and failed many times in Hawaii. This one's troubles are not merely as simple as timing or PR. This ferry's problems are fundamental to the annual natural elements, distances involved, vessel design, excessive amount of propulsion chosen, and expenses involved. The PR difficulties are merely a reflection of those underlying problems in this business plan. The world does not revolved around PR alone.
From my comment on that article at http://www.topix.com/:
"Done properly would be a ferry with about half the engine power as this one. This kind of fast ferry with 4 diesel jet engines operates financially optimally commercially around the world where there is not superior competition on transits of 30 to 70 miles, not 105 miles each way. This ferry has too much engine power and burns too much fuel to be cost effective for the distances involved here. Plus, this Austal design is not aerodynamic enough to go efficiently against the wind in the channels here. Travelling at engine power for 25 knots+ into a 25 knot wind speed is like 50 knots+ or more than 57.5 miles per hour of effective wind resistence not including gusts. The profile of this vessel is much less aerodynamic than what Incat offers. This vessel has too much engine power and too much wind resistence to be effective for commercial purposes alone here in Hawaii."
Aloha, Brad
Sunday, February 3, 2008
JHSV Solicitation RFP N00024-07-R-2219 to be reviewed
The JHSV Solicitation RFP N00024-07-R-2219 is at the following:
http://savekauai.org/sites/default/files/SolicitationN00024-07-R-2219JointHighSpeedVessel.doc
I will be doing an evaluation of that document. You are welcome to take a look at it for yourself. The contract on this design solicitation was recently awarded to 3 parties including Austal-USA, and an Incat partner, and a GD partner.
The following is from some of the correspondence used to receive a copy of the RFP solicitation on the JHSV a few weeks ago. I did not request it, that was done by another researcher on Oahu. I will only be reviewing some of the pertinent details in that Navy solicitation.
-----Original Message-----
From: Blagg, Suzanne CIV NAVSEA, SEA
Subject: RE: N0002407R2219
In response to your questions:
1. The original solicitation is attached.
[...]
Suzanne Blagg
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington Navy Yard, DC
-----Original Message-----
From: Blagg, Suzanne CIV NAVSEA, SEA
Subject: RE: N0002407R2219
[...]
Solicitation N00024-07-R-2219 was released on 31 Aug 2007 and closed on 31 Oct 2007.
Suzanne Blagg
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington Navy Yard, DC
Aloha, Brad
http://savekauai.org/sites/default/files/SolicitationN00024-07-R-2219JointHighSpeedVessel.doc
I will be doing an evaluation of that document. You are welcome to take a look at it for yourself. The contract on this design solicitation was recently awarded to 3 parties including Austal-USA, and an Incat partner, and a GD partner.
The following is from some of the correspondence used to receive a copy of the RFP solicitation on the JHSV a few weeks ago. I did not request it, that was done by another researcher on Oahu. I will only be reviewing some of the pertinent details in that Navy solicitation.
-----Original Message-----
From: Blagg, Suzanne CIV NAVSEA, SEA
Subject: RE: N0002407R2219
In response to your questions:
1. The original solicitation is attached.
[...]
Suzanne Blagg
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington Navy Yard, DC
-----Original Message-----
From: Blagg, Suzanne CIV NAVSEA, SEA
Subject: RE: N0002407R2219
[...]
Solicitation N00024-07-R-2219 was released on 31 Aug 2007 and closed on 31 Oct 2007.
Suzanne Blagg
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington Navy Yard, DC
Aloha, Brad
HI Superferry: Actual? Superferry Passenger and Vehicle counts
HI Superferry: Actual? Superferry Passenger and Vehicle counts
Here is a link to the pdf document that Larry Geller has provided:
http://disappearednews.com/docs/20080131132623.pdf
Larry has a good report on this at:
http://disappearednews.com/2008/02/ferry-monday-maybe-we-wonder-about.html
be sure to read the comments to that.
I finally got a chance to look at this. Exhibits B and C are very interesting here. Others have noticed what appears to be anomalous data in Exhibit B. These are only bookings or reservations it looks like. Still, you can see from these numbers that ridership has declined throughout January and dropped off dramatically since Jan. 27th. The data are almost all below levels necessary to cover fuel expenses alone. All the data in Exhibit B would look good in a graph for the whole month of January. Dick Mayer is going to create a line graph out of this data. We will look for that soon.
From: Dick Mayer
Subject: ?Actual? Superferry Passenger and Vehicle counts
Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2008 13:41:33 -1000
Attached in PDF format is HDOT's Report to Judge August.
Check out Exhibit "B" containing HSF's numbers for the month of January.
There are 3 columns but there is confusion.
#1 Number of Bookings This probably means that I booked my family of 3. This would be one booking. It is unclear if round-trips are one or two bookings.
#2 Daily log of the Number of Passengers
#3 Daily log of the Number of Vehicles
Both #1 + #2 are probably misleading because they show figures for days that the SF did not operate.
Some of the high passenger counts may be due to passengers who were already counted on days that the SF did not operate and are now taking the SF.
Thus folks may have been counted twice.
Exhibit "C" at the end are some monthly figures for December.
End of Dick's comments.
Aloha, Brad
Here is a link to the pdf document that Larry Geller has provided:
http://disappearednews.com/docs/20080131132623.pdf
Larry has a good report on this at:
http://disappearednews.com/2008/02/ferry-monday-maybe-we-wonder-about.html
be sure to read the comments to that.
I finally got a chance to look at this. Exhibits B and C are very interesting here. Others have noticed what appears to be anomalous data in Exhibit B. These are only bookings or reservations it looks like. Still, you can see from these numbers that ridership has declined throughout January and dropped off dramatically since Jan. 27th. The data are almost all below levels necessary to cover fuel expenses alone. All the data in Exhibit B would look good in a graph for the whole month of January. Dick Mayer is going to create a line graph out of this data. We will look for that soon.
From: Dick Mayer
Subject: ?Actual? Superferry Passenger and Vehicle counts
Date: Fri, 1 Feb 2008 13:41:33 -1000
Attached in PDF format is HDOT's Report to Judge August.
Check out Exhibit "B" containing HSF's numbers for the month of January.
There are 3 columns but there is confusion.
#1 Number of Bookings This probably means that I booked my family of 3. This would be one booking. It is unclear if round-trips are one or two bookings.
#2 Daily log of the Number of Passengers
#3 Daily log of the Number of Vehicles
Both #1 + #2 are probably misleading because they show figures for days that the SF did not operate.
Some of the high passenger counts may be due to passengers who were already counted on days that the SF did not operate and are now taking the SF.
Thus folks may have been counted twice.
Exhibit "C" at the end are some monthly figures for December.
End of Dick's comments.
Aloha, Brad
HI Superferry: More on the "Mechanical" - Lee Tepley's take on it
Regarding the "rudder" problems, the following is worth reading:
http://web.mac.com/leetepley/Site/Superferry_Rudder_()_Problems.html
and
http://homepage.mac.com/juanwilson/islandbreath/2008Year/09-access_transport/0809-11HSFrudddermess.html
Also, Christie Wilson of the Honolulu Advertiser had an interesting article today with a few good tidbits in it:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080203/NEWS01/802030364
Aloha, Brad
http://web.mac.com/leetepley/Site/Superferry_Rudder_()_Problems.html
and
http://homepage.mac.com/juanwilson/islandbreath/2008Year/09-access_transport/0809-11HSFrudddermess.html
Also, Christie Wilson of the Honolulu Advertiser had an interesting article today with a few good tidbits in it:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080203/NEWS01/802030364
Aloha, Brad
Friday, February 1, 2008
HI Superferry: Looking for the Video
Was looking for the video that shows HSF being "tossed around like a toy" in the Pailolo Channel between Molokai and Maui. Did not find it online, but I did find the person who filmed it and am in the process of helping him with that. Here is the video, maybe the best version we will see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wy17uGiocMY
Instead, found the following video. The helicopter in the video I remember over Kahului Harbor from the first few days of operations in Dec. 2007. I bet they've got some good videos, whoever they are. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rDyggrBEP4
Instead, found the following video. The helicopter in the video I remember over Kahului Harbor from the first few days of operations in Dec. 2007. I bet they've got some good videos, whoever they are. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rDyggrBEP4
HI Superferry: More on the "Mechanical"
Juan Wilson and Jonathan Jay have updated their coverage on this at http://homepage.mac.com/juanwilson/islandbreath/body.html:
http://homepage.mac.com/juanwilson/islandbreath/2008Year/09-access_transport/0809-11HSFrudddermess.html
Also, the following comes from the Honolulu Advertiser blog at www.topix.com. The entry is by "kaimana" and is a nugget among the conversation there:
Aloha, Brad
http://homepage.mac.com/juanwilson/islandbreath/2008Year/09-access_transport/0809-11HSFrudddermess.html
Also, the following comes from the Honolulu Advertiser blog at www.topix.com. The entry is by "kaimana" and is a nugget among the conversation there:
Joined: Nov 25, 2007 Comments: 63 Wailuku ISP Location: Wailuku, HI | |
Joined: Nov 25, 2007 Comments: 63 Wailuku ISP Location: Wailuku, HI | Should have been more specific. It uses the Kamewa® Sll-series of waterjets. So if you check it out make certain you look at those. |
Aloha, Brad
HI Superferry: JHSV Design Contract Award
I am a little slow in getting this up. A bunch of others posted news of this yesterday when it was announced. I learned about it first from Sally Raisbeck. I do think it is interesting on the week that HSF is having damage problems, the extent and design of which the public has not yet been told, the Navy awards a joint design contract to the builder of this vessel, for this type of vessel:
FW: Press Release: Navy awards preliminary design contracts for JHSV
From: Sally Raisbeck
Sent: Thu 1/31/08 3:57 PM
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Press Release: Navy awards preliminary design contracts for JHSV
Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:29:36 -0500
From: Roberts, Kathleen D CIV SEA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 31, 2008
NAVY AWARDS PRELIMINARY DESIGN CONTRACTS FOR JHSV WASHINGTON -- The Navy awarded contracts to Austal USA, Bath Iron Works, and Bollinger Shipyards Inc., for a firm fixed price of $3 million each for the preliminary design of Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) concepts on Jan. 31. “Once delivered, the Joint High Speed Vessel will be a key component of the U.S. military’s expeditionary warfare capability,” said Rear Adm. Charles Goddard, program executive officer for ships.
“This high speed transport will carry soldier or Marines, with their gear, to harbors that would normally be unusable by conventional maritime assets.” Once preliminary design is complete, the Navy will receive detail designs and construction proposals from the three teams. The Navy intends to award a single Phase Two detail design contract with construction options in late 2008.
The first ship, an Army vessel, is expected to be delivered in 2011. The JHSV program is a joint effort between the Army and the Navy to acquire high-speed vessels for the two branches of the U.S. military. JHSV will be used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment.
Currently the U.S. military leases two HSVs each capable of achieving speeds of more than 30 knots. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) allows the U.S. Navy to use its surface ship acquisition expertise in acquiring these vessels for the Army, which will assume full responsibility post acquisition.
The JHSV program merges the Army Theater Support Vessel (TSV) and the Navy High Speed Connector (HSC), taking advantage of the inherent commonality between the two programs. The current program calls for a total of eight ships, three to be operated by the Navy and five to be operated by the Army. The Army will own and operate the Army-funded vessels after procurement. Army responsibilities for their vessels will include crew training and vessel maintenance. The Navy will have the same responsibilities for the Navy-funded vessels.
--NAVSEA-- Public Affairs Contact: Kathleen Roberts
-----Original Message-----
From: Sally Raisbeck
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 18:00
To: Blagg, Suzanne CIV NAVSEA, SEA
Subject: Solicitation N00024-07-R-2219
January 10, 2008
Suzanne Blagg
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington Navy Yard, DC
Dear Ms. Blagg:
Re: Solicitation N00024-07-R-2219
I understand that Solicitation N00024-07-R-2219, for the Joint High Speed Vessel design (JHSV) was released on 31 Aug 2007 and closed on 31 Oct 2007. I also understand that offers were received, but no contract has yet been awarded.
The solicitation is quite lengthy, as it is 254 pages. The criteria for awarding the contract specifically include many non-price factors, so that low bid is not the controlling factor. The maximum price for the offer is $3 million.
As a very interested member of the American public, and a Maui resident, I would like to know how many offers were received, and from whom, though I do not expect to be told the price they are bidding. Or can you direct me to the appropriate documents that would contain this information?
I am particularly interested in whether an offer has been received from the Hawaii Superferry group. It was built at the Austal Shipyard in Mobile Alabama. Is the Navy in the process of negotiating and evaluating these offers? When may we expect a decision from the Navy? Is there a deadline for the decision?
Sincerely yours,
Sarah V. Raisbeck
Aloha, Brad
FW: Press Release: Navy awards preliminary design contracts for JHSV
From: Sally Raisbeck
Sent: Thu 1/31/08 3:57 PM
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Press Release: Navy awards preliminary design contracts for JHSV
Date: Thu, 31 Jan 2008 17:29:36 -0500
From: Roberts, Kathleen D CIV SEA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Jan. 31, 2008
NAVY AWARDS PRELIMINARY DESIGN CONTRACTS FOR JHSV WASHINGTON -- The Navy awarded contracts to Austal USA, Bath Iron Works, and Bollinger Shipyards Inc., for a firm fixed price of $3 million each for the preliminary design of Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) concepts on Jan. 31. “Once delivered, the Joint High Speed Vessel will be a key component of the U.S. military’s expeditionary warfare capability,” said Rear Adm. Charles Goddard, program executive officer for ships.
“This high speed transport will carry soldier or Marines, with their gear, to harbors that would normally be unusable by conventional maritime assets.” Once preliminary design is complete, the Navy will receive detail designs and construction proposals from the three teams. The Navy intends to award a single Phase Two detail design contract with construction options in late 2008.
The first ship, an Army vessel, is expected to be delivered in 2011. The JHSV program is a joint effort between the Army and the Navy to acquire high-speed vessels for the two branches of the U.S. military. JHSV will be used for fast intra-theater transportation of troops, military vehicles and equipment.
Currently the U.S. military leases two HSVs each capable of achieving speeds of more than 30 knots. A Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) allows the U.S. Navy to use its surface ship acquisition expertise in acquiring these vessels for the Army, which will assume full responsibility post acquisition.
The JHSV program merges the Army Theater Support Vessel (TSV) and the Navy High Speed Connector (HSC), taking advantage of the inherent commonality between the two programs. The current program calls for a total of eight ships, three to be operated by the Navy and five to be operated by the Army. The Army will own and operate the Army-funded vessels after procurement. Army responsibilities for their vessels will include crew training and vessel maintenance. The Navy will have the same responsibilities for the Navy-funded vessels.
--NAVSEA-- Public Affairs Contact: Kathleen Roberts
-----Original Message-----
From: Sally Raisbeck
Sent: Thursday, January 10, 2008 18:00
To: Blagg, Suzanne CIV NAVSEA, SEA
Subject: Solicitation N00024-07-R-2219
January 10, 2008
Suzanne Blagg
Naval Sea Systems Command
Washington Navy Yard, DC
Dear Ms. Blagg:
Re: Solicitation N00024-07-R-2219
I understand that Solicitation N00024-07-R-2219, for the Joint High Speed Vessel design (JHSV) was released on 31 Aug 2007 and closed on 31 Oct 2007. I also understand that offers were received, but no contract has yet been awarded.
The solicitation is quite lengthy, as it is 254 pages. The criteria for awarding the contract specifically include many non-price factors, so that low bid is not the controlling factor. The maximum price for the offer is $3 million.
As a very interested member of the American public, and a Maui resident, I would like to know how many offers were received, and from whom, though I do not expect to be told the price they are bidding. Or can you direct me to the appropriate documents that would contain this information?
I am particularly interested in whether an offer has been received from the Hawaii Superferry group. It was built at the Austal Shipyard in Mobile Alabama. Is the Navy in the process of negotiating and evaluating these offers? When may we expect a decision from the Navy? Is there a deadline for the decision?
Sincerely yours,
Sarah V. Raisbeck
Aloha, Brad
HI Superferry: I'M SORRY, WE NEED TO APOLOGIZE
From Dick Mayer:
WE NEED TO APOLOGIZE.
WE WHO ASKED FOR AN EIS HAD IT ALL WRONG.
The Superferry will NOT impact the Environment.
NO, the Environment is impacting the Superferry.
Please, do not laugh.
The State should be doing an EIS to describe
all the impacts from Hawaii’s devastaing
natural environment on the poor Superferry.
At least the Navy would learn a lesson
as it builds more of these vessels.
Design the ship to look like a surf-board.
Only Judge Cardoza had it right.
If the Superferry were allowed to operate, he said
there is a likelihood of “irreparable harm!”
Nice, Dick,
Aloha, Brad
WE NEED TO APOLOGIZE.
WE WHO ASKED FOR AN EIS HAD IT ALL WRONG.
The Superferry will NOT impact the Environment.
NO, the Environment is impacting the Superferry.
Please, do not laugh.
The State should be doing an EIS to describe
all the impacts from Hawaii’s devastaing
natural environment on the poor Superferry.
At least the Navy would learn a lesson
as it builds more of these vessels.
Design the ship to look like a surf-board.
Only Judge Cardoza had it right.
If the Superferry were allowed to operate, he said
there is a likelihood of “irreparable harm!”
Nice, Dick,
Aloha, Brad
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