Depends on Congress and the New President
Interesting to see the steady flow now of reports on what exactly are the prospects of LCS. Also to see how well LCS-1 has done and how far behind is LCS-2. Interesting article follows at:
http://www.al.com/business/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/business/1219914927317320.xml&coll=3
"Navy sees progress in LCS program"
Thursday, August 28, 2008
By SEAN REILLY
Washington Bureau
"WASHINGTON — The Navy will take delivery of its first littoral combat ship next month after the Wisconsin-built vessel passed inspection with relatively few serious flaws, officials said Wednesday.
Delivery of a second LCS — a rival design built by Austal USA in Mobile — is set for next year, the Navy said during a Wednesday roundtable discussion with reporters.
Completion of the first ship, known as the Freedom... After running the ship through trials on Lake Michigan, the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey found it to be "capable, well-built and inspection-ready," Deputy Assistant Navy Secretary Allison Stiller said...
The Navy now wants to buy three more LCS by late next year. While the first would be ordered with existing money, Congress has yet to authorize funding for the other two. Citing "source-selection" issues, Stiller would not say whether the Navy believes the two teams can meet a $460 million-per-vessel cost cap imposed by lawmakers.
Earlier this month, Fred Moosally, president of Lockheed's maritime division, told reporters that rising steel prices and other pressures would make it difficult to meet that cap...
Assuming that Congress antes up the money, the Navy plans to order two ships from one team and the third from the other group. Although the original plan was to choose one of the competing designs as the basis for the bulk of remaining orders, the Pentagon has left open the option of continuing to do "split buys" from both teams..."
My guess is Lockheed Martin gets the proven 3rd LCS order and whether GD/Austal gets any more LCS orders depends in part on Congress, the election, and structural integrity as it should be.
Aloha, Brad
Friday, August 29, 2008
Another Good Letter to the Editor in Kauai paper 8/28
Rich wrote another good letter to the editor that got published this time:
"Too much emphasis on poll"
"Much emphasis has been placed on the “poll” that The Garden Island conducted about the pros and cons of the ferry returning to Kaua‘i. Superferry CEO Tom Fargo interpreted the results one way, news media had their interpretation, and other people had as many interpretations as there were illogical choices on the poll. There were a total of 2,729 votes in the poll, with an unknown number of multiple votes by single individuals, and no count on where the voters lived. Why should votes from O‘ahu residents count on what happens to our island?
Everybody seems to have forgotten that we obtained over 6,000 signatures from individuals that had one choice; “Should the Superferry be required to get an EIS before being allowed to dock at Nawiliwili?”
The Kauai County Council unanimously passed a resolution requesting an EIS on the Superferry before starting service to Kaua‘i. At a recent candidates night, none of the mayoral or council candidates for Kaua‘i raised their hands when asked if they would vote to allow Superferry’s return to Kaua‘i.
When you can conduct a poll with two choices: No. 1. “Should Superferry be required to obey the law, Hawaii Environmental Protection Act, HRS 343, before resuming service to Kaua‘i;” or No. 2. “Should Superferry be allowed to continue service to Kaua‘i with total disregard for its environmental/cultural impact and welfare on Kaua‘i?” then publish it. If you can find over 6,000 residents of our incredible island to vote for the latter, let me know, let Fargo know, let the Chamber of Commerce know, and let anybody else know who has no consideration for the welfare of our culture, environment, or way of life. My bet is, that will be a long time coming, if ever."
Rich Hoeppner
Wailua, HI
There was also a story from Wed. and Thurs. on HSF that first broke in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. I did not waste time putting it here, but posted some comments to that article starting at http://www.topix.net/forum/source/honolulu-star-bulletin/T8LHQUIM8DR08VLPU/p4#c74
Aloha, Brad
"Too much emphasis on poll"
"Much emphasis has been placed on the “poll” that The Garden Island conducted about the pros and cons of the ferry returning to Kaua‘i. Superferry CEO Tom Fargo interpreted the results one way, news media had their interpretation, and other people had as many interpretations as there were illogical choices on the poll. There were a total of 2,729 votes in the poll, with an unknown number of multiple votes by single individuals, and no count on where the voters lived. Why should votes from O‘ahu residents count on what happens to our island?
Everybody seems to have forgotten that we obtained over 6,000 signatures from individuals that had one choice; “Should the Superferry be required to get an EIS before being allowed to dock at Nawiliwili?”
The Kauai County Council unanimously passed a resolution requesting an EIS on the Superferry before starting service to Kaua‘i. At a recent candidates night, none of the mayoral or council candidates for Kaua‘i raised their hands when asked if they would vote to allow Superferry’s return to Kaua‘i.
When you can conduct a poll with two choices: No. 1. “Should Superferry be required to obey the law, Hawaii Environmental Protection Act, HRS 343, before resuming service to Kaua‘i;” or No. 2. “Should Superferry be allowed to continue service to Kaua‘i with total disregard for its environmental/cultural impact and welfare on Kaua‘i?” then publish it. If you can find over 6,000 residents of our incredible island to vote for the latter, let me know, let Fargo know, let the Chamber of Commerce know, and let anybody else know who has no consideration for the welfare of our culture, environment, or way of life. My bet is, that will be a long time coming, if ever."
Rich Hoeppner
Wailua, HI
There was also a story from Wed. and Thurs. on HSF that first broke in the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. I did not waste time putting it here, but posted some comments to that article starting at http://www.topix.net/forum/source/honolulu-star-bulletin/T8LHQUIM8DR08VLPU/p4#c74
Aloha, Brad
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Great letter to the editor and coverage by Juan Wilson
Juan Wilson's artwork.
In addition to a nice entry and pictures on his website about the "Ferry Free Kauai" event,
Celebration of Ferry Free Anniversary Opposition to HSF is misreported by Garden Island News, Juan Wilson had a spot-on letter to the editor in the Kauai paper today:
"Biased ferry coverage"
"A delightful celebration of one year of no Kauai Superferry service was held yesterday at the county park in Nawiliwili Harbor. Dozens of residents watched hula, played music, paddled in the bay, shared food and shared thoughts on a balmy summer day.
There were two sour notes:
• Chief of Police Darryl Perry would not allow the single pro-Superferry supporter, Kimo Rosen, to attend the festivities, even though celebrants asked that he be included. Perry insisted that Rosen stand about 100 yards off.
• On Sunday, the day of that Nawiliwili anti-ferry event, The Garden Island had a full banner headline “Superferry officials talk of possible return.” There was no mention of the day’s celebration planned at the harbor.
The paper that pretends to report for Kaua‘i can rightfully be condemned as a pipeline for the interests of the flacks trying to drum up support for the Superferry return to Kaua‘i. Their recent coverage of the issue could only have been scripted by PR consultants of the HSF Corporation.
The Sunday page-one top-of-fold article included that “A Web poll conducted by TGI shows that 39 percent of the votes were cast in favor of the Superferry’s presumably immediate return to Kaua‘i.”
Further down on page one it does say that 17 percent thought the ferry should only return after it passes an EIS. But it was not until the continuity on page seven (in a separate paragraph) that TGI reporter Michael Levine mentions that 28 percent said the ferry should never return to Kaua‘i.
The clumsily framed questions about the Superferry were:
A. It should return to Kaua‘i and resume service? 1,166 votes
B. An EIS should be completed before it returns to service on Kauai? 519 votes
C. It should never return? 842 votes
D. It should return to service on Kaua‘i while an EIS is conducted? 328 votes
E. Superferry officials should reach out to the people on Kaua‘i to determine if a return to Kaua‘i should occur? 164 votes
Their order should have been on a gradient, such as from maintaining the status quo to the sharpest change in future circumstances. Namely C, B, E, D, A.
Should option “E” even have been on the poll? Shouldn’t there be a dialog in all circumstances. To date the HSF has only consulted with the mayoral candidates and the Kauai Chamber of Commerce.
There were a total of 2,729 votes in the poll. I suspect all the hundreds of Superferry employees were informed of the poll and encouraged to vote in it. It would be interesting to know from TGI what percentage of Web votes came from off-island ISP addresses.
Even so, I interpret results as 1,361 votes for the ferry to never return (or return only if it passes an EIS). And 1,204 for the ferry to resume service (or provide temporary service only until an EIS is passed).
That reads as 50 percent against imminent return and 44 percent for an imminent return. I view the 164 who voted “E” as undecided. That is a close poll, but one I think was skewed as reported by TGI.
I’m disappointed in those results, and so should be the Superferry Corporation. There is no apparent groundswell of support for the ferry to return to Kaua‘i, even when you can line up the company employees.
To top it off, in Monday’s TGI report on the no Superferry “Jam in the Harbor” celebration the TGI got the story wrong again. Again Michael Levine has the byline. The above-the-fold photo by Dennis Fujimoto show a close-up of a sign reading “Bring Back Da Superferry” held by Kimo Rosen, the only person at Nawiliwili Park who expressed favor with the ferry, and who stood outside the area of the day’s celebration. The title of the article was “Ferry-free Kaua‘i celebrated” with the subtitle “But some residents call for ship’s return.”
I would not call this fair and balanced journalism."
Juan Wilson
Kauai, HI
Celebration of Ferry Free Anniversary Opposition to HSF is misreported by Garden Island News, Juan Wilson had a spot-on letter to the editor in the Kauai paper today:
"Biased ferry coverage"
"A delightful celebration of one year of no Kauai Superferry service was held yesterday at the county park in Nawiliwili Harbor. Dozens of residents watched hula, played music, paddled in the bay, shared food and shared thoughts on a balmy summer day.
There were two sour notes:
• Chief of Police Darryl Perry would not allow the single pro-Superferry supporter, Kimo Rosen, to attend the festivities, even though celebrants asked that he be included. Perry insisted that Rosen stand about 100 yards off.
• On Sunday, the day of that Nawiliwili anti-ferry event, The Garden Island had a full banner headline “Superferry officials talk of possible return.” There was no mention of the day’s celebration planned at the harbor.
The paper that pretends to report for Kaua‘i can rightfully be condemned as a pipeline for the interests of the flacks trying to drum up support for the Superferry return to Kaua‘i. Their recent coverage of the issue could only have been scripted by PR consultants of the HSF Corporation.
The Sunday page-one top-of-fold article included that “A Web poll conducted by TGI shows that 39 percent of the votes were cast in favor of the Superferry’s presumably immediate return to Kaua‘i.”
Further down on page one it does say that 17 percent thought the ferry should only return after it passes an EIS. But it was not until the continuity on page seven (in a separate paragraph) that TGI reporter Michael Levine mentions that 28 percent said the ferry should never return to Kaua‘i.
The clumsily framed questions about the Superferry were:
A. It should return to Kaua‘i and resume service? 1,166 votes
B. An EIS should be completed before it returns to service on Kauai? 519 votes
C. It should never return? 842 votes
D. It should return to service on Kaua‘i while an EIS is conducted? 328 votes
E. Superferry officials should reach out to the people on Kaua‘i to determine if a return to Kaua‘i should occur? 164 votes
Their order should have been on a gradient, such as from maintaining the status quo to the sharpest change in future circumstances. Namely C, B, E, D, A.
Should option “E” even have been on the poll? Shouldn’t there be a dialog in all circumstances. To date the HSF has only consulted with the mayoral candidates and the Kauai Chamber of Commerce.
There were a total of 2,729 votes in the poll. I suspect all the hundreds of Superferry employees were informed of the poll and encouraged to vote in it. It would be interesting to know from TGI what percentage of Web votes came from off-island ISP addresses.
Even so, I interpret results as 1,361 votes for the ferry to never return (or return only if it passes an EIS). And 1,204 for the ferry to resume service (or provide temporary service only until an EIS is passed).
That reads as 50 percent against imminent return and 44 percent for an imminent return. I view the 164 who voted “E” as undecided. That is a close poll, but one I think was skewed as reported by TGI.
I’m disappointed in those results, and so should be the Superferry Corporation. There is no apparent groundswell of support for the ferry to return to Kaua‘i, even when you can line up the company employees.
To top it off, in Monday’s TGI report on the no Superferry “Jam in the Harbor” celebration the TGI got the story wrong again. Again Michael Levine has the byline. The above-the-fold photo by Dennis Fujimoto show a close-up of a sign reading “Bring Back Da Superferry” held by Kimo Rosen, the only person at Nawiliwili Park who expressed favor with the ferry, and who stood outside the area of the day’s celebration. The title of the article was “Ferry-free Kaua‘i celebrated” with the subtitle “But some residents call for ship’s return.”
I would not call this fair and balanced journalism."
Juan Wilson
Kauai, HI
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Feds want slower ship speeds to aid Whales
http://www.federalnewsradio.com/?nid=78&sid=1396243
http://www.cnbc.com/id/26394993/for/cnbc
"Government wants slower ship speeds to aid whales"
By DINA CAPPIELLO Mon., Aug. 25, 2008
"WASHINGTON (AP) - The government on Monday recommended a speed limit for commercial ships along the Atlantic coast, where collisions with the endangered right whale threaten its existence.
About 300-400 of the whales are left in the wild, and they migrate annually between their southeastern Atlantic breeding grounds to feeding areas off the Massachusetts coast, intersecting busy shipping lanes.
The head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday the new limit, the first to be instituted on the East Coast for a marine creature, was needed to assure its survival. The rule would set a speed limit of 11.5 miles per hour (10 knots) within 23 miles (20 nautical miles) of major mid-Atlantic ports and throughout the whale's breeding and feeding areas. The new regulation would cover ships 65 feet or longer and expire in five years if not renewed. Boats from federal agencies would be exempt.
"The bottom line is that this critically endangered species needs our help," said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, the agency's administrator...
"NOAA's decision on these measures is based on the best data and scientific understanding available," White House environmental adviser James L. Connaughton said Monday.
The option selected on Monday and released with an 850-page analysis of its environmental and economic impacts is narrower than the 34-mile-wide coastal speed zone first proposed for the mid-Atlantic coast by marine scientists in June 2006. Last year, in response to questions from the White House, agency experts said moving the speed-limit zone closer to shore in that region would be less protective of right whales...
The analysis published Monday said the lower speed limit could cost ferry operators $8.6 million in lost revenues annually, and even have an effect on the whale watching industry, which is expected to lose $1.3 million under the proposed regulation. The economic impact would take more of a toll on high speed vessels, which travel at 28 to 45 mph, versus ships and boats traveling at the normal 14 to 18 mph."...See full article at: http://www.cnbc.com/id/26394993/for/cnbc
___
On the Net:
National Marine Fisheries Service: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike
This is something of which the Hawaii State Supreme Court should be made aware.
Aloha, Brad
http://www.cnbc.com/id/26394993/for/cnbc
"Government wants slower ship speeds to aid whales"
By DINA CAPPIELLO Mon., Aug. 25, 2008
"WASHINGTON (AP) - The government on Monday recommended a speed limit for commercial ships along the Atlantic coast, where collisions with the endangered right whale threaten its existence.
About 300-400 of the whales are left in the wild, and they migrate annually between their southeastern Atlantic breeding grounds to feeding areas off the Massachusetts coast, intersecting busy shipping lanes.
The head of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said Monday the new limit, the first to be instituted on the East Coast for a marine creature, was needed to assure its survival. The rule would set a speed limit of 11.5 miles per hour (10 knots) within 23 miles (20 nautical miles) of major mid-Atlantic ports and throughout the whale's breeding and feeding areas. The new regulation would cover ships 65 feet or longer and expire in five years if not renewed. Boats from federal agencies would be exempt.
"The bottom line is that this critically endangered species needs our help," said retired Navy Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, the agency's administrator...
"NOAA's decision on these measures is based on the best data and scientific understanding available," White House environmental adviser James L. Connaughton said Monday.
The option selected on Monday and released with an 850-page analysis of its environmental and economic impacts is narrower than the 34-mile-wide coastal speed zone first proposed for the mid-Atlantic coast by marine scientists in June 2006. Last year, in response to questions from the White House, agency experts said moving the speed-limit zone closer to shore in that region would be less protective of right whales...
The analysis published Monday said the lower speed limit could cost ferry operators $8.6 million in lost revenues annually, and even have an effect on the whale watching industry, which is expected to lose $1.3 million under the proposed regulation. The economic impact would take more of a toll on high speed vessels, which travel at 28 to 45 mph, versus ships and boats traveling at the normal 14 to 18 mph."...See full article at: http://www.cnbc.com/id/26394993/for/cnbc
___
On the Net:
National Marine Fisheries Service: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/shipstrike
This is something of which the Hawaii State Supreme Court should be made aware.
Aloha, Brad
Flurry of Optimistic Shipbuilding Forecasts Follow on the Net
Events of the past month pushed the timing of the following forecast on August 21:
Updated Pragmatic Forecast for HSF, JHSV, LCS, etc.
http://hisuperferry.blogspot.com/2008/08/updated-pragmatic-forecast-for-hsf-jhsv.html
What followed was an interesting avalanche of forecasts from financial, company, and ship aficionados each with their own mostly overly optimistic outlooks that do not take into consideration the fiscal and economic position that the U.S. government and economy have been mismanaged into.
First, to follow were the financial analyst references:
Austal "Waiting for US catalysts" (Neutral) Byers By Martin Byers Australian Industrial Transportation; Australian Industrial Goods & Services; Australasian Industrial; Australasian Industrial Goods & Services; Australasian Shipbuilding; Australasian Industrial Transportation. Companies. ASB.AX Austal ...UBS Research: Transportation - http://clientportal.ibb.ubs.com/portal/index.jsp?page=eqrschstockrschsector&IndCatCode=TRA&MarketCode=GL&MarketCap=X
Austal expects US market to take off in 2009-2010 Shipbuilder says making "calculated risk" in US investment. 25 Aug 2008 11:41 PM.Business Spectator - http://www.businessspectator.com.au
Second, came the company:
Austal has reported a net profit of $52 million The Australian - Sydney, Australia HIGH oil prices and gloomy economic conditions have dampened commercial demand for ships, prompting builder Austal to focus on the lucrative military market...
Austal parent's profit surges; Mobile in holding pattern Press-Register - al.com - Mobile, AL, USA The company hopes to build up to 10 Joint High Speed Vessels, high-speed passenger-vehicle ferries used for transporting troops and equipment...
Third, were detailed (detached from the economy) forecasts by the webs military shiplover blogs:
Fantasy Shipbuilding FYDP By Galrahn(Galrahn) 1 Joint High Speed Vessel (1 x .2) 1 LHA-5 (1 x 3.5) 2 LPD-17s (2 x 1.7) FY12 - 13 ships $13.05 billion + $2 billion CVN = Over budget $2.05 billion 1 Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) (1 v .9) 1 Large Medium-Speed Roll-On/Roll-Off (LMSR)...
Fantasy Shipbuilding By Moose(Moose) 1 Joint High Speed Vessel (1 x .2) 2 LPD-17s (2 x 1.7) 1 LHA-6 (1 x 3.5) 1 CVN78 4 Expeditionary Patrol Craft (enhanced M80) (4 x .02) FY13 - 13 ships + 4 Patrol Craft $12.58 billion + $2 billion CVN = Over budget $1.58 billion...
Galrahn’s Fantasy Shipbuilding By charbookguy Inspired, of course, by this post at Information Dissemination: FY10-4 Virginia class (SSN) (4 x 2.0)=$8 billion 5 Joint High Speed Vessels (5 x .2)=$1 billion 10 Sea Fighters (10 x .3)=$3 billion 100 Stilletto FAC (100 x...
Lastly, to mention here from: http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1219742142217850.xml&coll=3&thispage=2
"...Bob Browning, chief executive officer of Austal Ltd., said the local yard is 'perfectly positioned' to build the military vessels. 'We have the trained workforce available today, we have the facilities available today to support construction, and we have already built a vessel of very similar design (to the JHSV) right here in Mobile,' said Browning, who works from Mobile."
Interesting how it's never mentioned in the press information on the structural history of the only two large aluminium hull vessels they have built and floated from that site. The detail of that structural history is not necessarily something to boast about.
Aloha, Brad
Updated Pragmatic Forecast for HSF, JHSV, LCS, etc.
http://hisuperferry.blogspot.com/2008/08/updated-pragmatic-forecast-for-hsf-jhsv.html
What followed was an interesting avalanche of forecasts from financial, company, and ship aficionados each with their own mostly overly optimistic outlooks that do not take into consideration the fiscal and economic position that the U.S. government and economy have been mismanaged into.
First, to follow were the financial analyst references:
Austal "Waiting for US catalysts" (Neutral) Byers By Martin Byers Australian Industrial Transportation; Australian Industrial Goods & Services; Australasian Industrial; Australasian Industrial Goods & Services; Australasian Shipbuilding; Australasian Industrial Transportation. Companies. ASB.AX Austal ...UBS Research: Transportation - http://clientportal.ibb.ubs.com/portal/index.jsp?page=eqrschstockrschsector&IndCatCode=TRA&MarketCode=GL&MarketCap=X
Austal expects US market to take off in 2009-2010 Shipbuilder says making "calculated risk" in US investment. 25 Aug 2008 11:41 PM.Business Spectator - http://www.businessspectator.com.au
Second, came the company:
Austal has reported a net profit of $52 million The Australian - Sydney, Australia HIGH oil prices and gloomy economic conditions have dampened commercial demand for ships, prompting builder Austal to focus on the lucrative military market...
Austal parent's profit surges; Mobile in holding pattern Press-Register - al.com - Mobile, AL, USA The company hopes to build up to 10 Joint High Speed Vessels, high-speed passenger-vehicle ferries used for transporting troops and equipment...
Third, were detailed (detached from the economy) forecasts by the webs military shiplover blogs:
Fantasy Shipbuilding FYDP By Galrahn(Galrahn) 1 Joint High Speed Vessel (1 x .2) 1 LHA-5 (1 x 3.5) 2 LPD-17s (2 x 1.7) FY12 - 13 ships $13.05 billion + $2 billion CVN = Over budget $2.05 billion 1 Mobile Landing Platform (MLP) (1 v .9) 1 Large Medium-Speed Roll-On/Roll-Off (LMSR)...
Fantasy Shipbuilding By Moose(Moose) 1 Joint High Speed Vessel (1 x .2) 2 LPD-17s (2 x 1.7) 1 LHA-6 (1 x 3.5) 1 CVN78 4 Expeditionary Patrol Craft (enhanced M80) (4 x .02) FY13 - 13 ships + 4 Patrol Craft $12.58 billion + $2 billion CVN = Over budget $1.58 billion...
Galrahn’s Fantasy Shipbuilding By charbookguy Inspired, of course, by this post at Information Dissemination: FY10-4 Virginia class (SSN) (4 x 2.0)=$8 billion 5 Joint High Speed Vessels (5 x .2)=$1 billion 10 Sea Fighters (10 x .3)=$3 billion 100 Stilletto FAC (100 x...
Lastly, to mention here from: http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1219742142217850.xml&coll=3&thispage=2
"...Bob Browning, chief executive officer of Austal Ltd., said the local yard is 'perfectly positioned' to build the military vessels. 'We have the trained workforce available today, we have the facilities available today to support construction, and we have already built a vessel of very similar design (to the JHSV) right here in Mobile,' said Browning, who works from Mobile."
Interesting how it's never mentioned in the press information on the structural history of the only two large aluminium hull vessels they have built and floated from that site. The detail of that structural history is not necessarily something to boast about.
Aloha, Brad
Monday, August 25, 2008
Pics and News coverage of 1st Anniversary Ferry Free Kauai
Here are my pics from the 1st Anniversary of "Ferry Free Kauai":
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21400600@N03/sets/72157606939341208/
Here are Diana LaBedz's pics of the 1st Anniversary of "Ferry Free Kauai":
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21400600@N03/sets/72157606958510670/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21400600@N03/sets/72157606939341208/
Here are Diana LaBedz's pics of the 1st Anniversary of "Ferry Free Kauai":
http://www.flickr.com/photos/21400600@N03/sets/72157606958510670/
The newspaper coverage of this event by The Garden Island news and by the Honolulu Advertiser was extremely low quality reporting. Andy Parx turned the table on these guys and reported better on them than they did on the events at: http://parxnewsdaily.blogspot.com/2008/08/barkers-and-shills.html
Tom Finnegan of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin wrote the only decent newspaper article covering the event at: http://starbulletin.com/2008/08/25/news/story04.html
Also, there was also a good letter to the editor in the Kauai paper today:
http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/08/25/opinion/edit01.txt
"Go elsewhere, Superferry"
"The return of the Superferry to our beloved island would only amount to a Pandora’s Box of permanent change, another vehicle of the demise of our wonderful way of life.
With 30 years on Kaua‘i many residents can testify that I am one who always sees the glass as half full. Faith and hope are at the foundation of our family life.
I am not involved in any movement concerning this vital issue. I am just utilizing common sense. It does not take a genius to see that by opening the door to the perils of a much more rapid and complicated culture of a major urbanized city and all that goes with it including vice.
Even a person in a coma can see that our fragile and limited infrastructure can’t even handle our local needs. No amount of economical surplus from those arriving is really nonexistent. O‘ahu is suffering more than we are. Please remember and I write this as one who grew up in a violent urbanized area, East Los Angeles, the peace, harmony and above all safe environment for our children are priceless and once lost can never be retrieved.
Those of us who have been here awhile can testify to that. Common sense tells me my life and the life of my three sons will be better, safer and happier without the misleading and false promises of the money counters who sing the praises of inviting the Superferry back.
Just like a new toy it might be fun to ride on it but its novelty will be brief but the seed of cultural chaos would have already been permanently planted.
If it is a better and cheaper way to travel between islands and that is also true for the vice and ill-intent of a major U.S. city. In reality the Superferry and her masters are simply pimping the beauty and tranquility of a very vulnerable Eden like no where else in the world.
Are we willing to bet it all on the twisted words of the money changers? ...we must make it clear that such a success must come without our participation.
...Go anywhere but our beloved Kaua‘i."
Eduardo Valenciana
Lihu‘e
I have decided there is some unfinished business with this blog,
Aloha, Brad
Sunday, August 24, 2008
"This is NOT between HSF and the elected officials"
Today from: http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/08/24/news/news01.txt
"...State Sen. Gary Hooser said yesterday, “This is between Hawai‘i Superferry and the Kaua‘i community, not between Hawai‘i Superferry and the elected officials,” Hooser said...”
http://kauaieclectic.blogspot.com/2008/08/musings-worshiping-at-altar-of-money.html
Today from: Musings: Worshiping at the Altar of Money and Convenience
"...As the Save Kahului Harbor blog reported (and Andy Parx noted on his blog), Maui is indeed being plundered by Superferry passengers. According to state DOCARE reports, over 400 pounds of reef fish were taken from Maui waters in a one month period, along with 250 pounds of limu and 49 pounds of opihi — a figure that increased to 75 pounds the following month. And that's just what they found. Remember, they don't inspect everything. And why is all this happening? Quite simply, so that J.F. Lehman Co. can make money and folks can have a form of interisland travel that some find more convenient. I'm sorry, but when you live on a place like Kauai, that "deal" just ain't worth it."
Aloha, Brad
"...State Sen. Gary Hooser said yesterday, “This is between Hawai‘i Superferry and the Kaua‘i community, not between Hawai‘i Superferry and the elected officials,” Hooser said...”
http://kauaieclectic.blogspot.com/2008/08/musings-worshiping-at-altar-of-money.html
Today from: Musings: Worshiping at the Altar of Money and Convenience
"...As the Save Kahului Harbor blog reported (and Andy Parx noted on his blog), Maui is indeed being plundered by Superferry passengers. According to state DOCARE reports, over 400 pounds of reef fish were taken from Maui waters in a one month period, along with 250 pounds of limu and 49 pounds of opihi — a figure that increased to 75 pounds the following month. And that's just what they found. Remember, they don't inspect everything. And why is all this happening? Quite simply, so that J.F. Lehman Co. can make money and folks can have a form of interisland travel that some find more convenient. I'm sorry, but when you live on a place like Kauai, that "deal" just ain't worth it."
Aloha, Brad
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Superferry Task Force - Maui Being Plundered
Reposted from the Save Kahului Harbor web site:
http://savekahuluiharbor.blogspot.com/2008/08/superferry-task-force-maui-being.html
Superferry Task Force - Maui Being Plundered
Written by Irene Bowie to the Superferry Oversight Task Force
Executive Director/Maui Tomorrow Foundation, Inc.
Superferry Oversight Task Force meeting, Honolulu, August 20, 2008
Thank you for taking the time to hear my comments today. It has been very interesting to sit through this OTF session and the one thought that comes to mind as I listen to the information shared today is the travesty that ACT 2 is. Hawaii’s environmental law states that an environmental assessment be performed prior to operations and as we can see, if this law had been followed many of the issues you’re discussing today would have been dealt with in advance.
Issues such as an undercarriage pressure-wash system, which now seems difficult, would have been required and some type of system would have been created.
Listening to Admiral Fargo state that night vision goggles, radar, and “bow-mounted cameras” are currently in the research and development stage is not acceptable. I stood before this Task Force in February of this year and told you that the technology was not adequate at this time yet HSF continued to state through last year’s whale season that those technologies would ensure safety for humpbacks during evening transits. Now, with two months before the first whales begin arriving in Hawaiian waters, Admiral Fargo says it will take more time… again, this is not acceptable in regards to an endangered and federally protected species. The only mitigation for this issue is reduced speeds, down to 10k, when traveling after dark.
And lastly, to hear DOCARE’s report on inspections and findings, I am discouraged by the number of natural resources being taken from Maui on a regular basis. To have over 400 lbs. of reef fish taken from Maui waters in a one month period is astounding; Maui fishermen are currently working to educate our community on the need to fish for invasive species rather than native species so that our reefs have a chance to become healthy again. Fish such as uhu are important not only for the health of the reef but also in the creation of sand for our disappearing beaches. The people of Maui treasure our cultural and natural resources and greater effort must be made to stop this plunder. Forty nine pounds of opihi in one month and another 75 lbs. the following month; over 250 lbs. of limu in a month; how long will these natural resources remain for our community and what studies have been done to examine this situation?
Mr. Garibaldi made much of the customer survey taken this summer; I’m sure the people who are passengers are happy with HSF, that’s why they’re onboard. However, this does nothing to repair the divisiveness in our community over the arrival of HSF. Mr. Garibaldi and other HSF staff stated many times that outreach efforts would be made to the Maui community yet nothing has come of it and no efforts have been made.
Today I ask the OTF to please consider the following 5 items:
1) We request a report on the total cost to Hawaii taxpayers for:
---a) Inspections/costs for Dept. of Ag and DOCARE staffing
---b) DOT lawsuits and appeals
---c) Oversight Task Force costs, i.e., inter-island transportation, etc.
---d) Preparation for Environmental Impact Statement
---e) Barges/tugs to assist HSF
---f) Any other costs incurred
--We ask that this information be put into a document that is released to the public.
2) We would like to know what plan is in place after December 2008 when the Oversight Task Force concludes. What is in place for inspections on the Big Island when service begins in 2009? Will DOCARE and Dept. of Ag be involved? We suggest a user fee be added to HSF ticket price to provide for needed DOCARE and Dept. of Ag staffing.
3) An update on Hawaii Superferry’s incidental take permit process and whale avoidance plan for Winter/08-09. Will the HSF’s “whale season” be abbreviated as it was last year or run concurrent with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary’s accepted season?
4) We strongly request that DOCARE continue regular inspections at Kahului Harbor until December of 2008 rather than moving to random inspections with HSF staff taking over the process. DOCARE’s regular reports are the only comprehensive assessment of items being transported by this new form of inter-island transportation. We need continued information to make educated decisions on procedures needed, not only for Maui, but also for the Big Island as the 2nd vessel comes on-line in 2009.
5) We ask for a more fair distribution of the remaining OTF meetings between Oahu and Maui as many members of the Maui community have comments but are unable to attend off-island meetings.
Thank you for your time today in allowing me to speak.
1 comments:
Masako said...
Masako Cordray Westcott
Comments to the Hawaii Superferry Task Force August 20, 2008
Regarding the movement of the Little Fire Ant on Hawaii Superferry.
After speaking to Neil Reimer of the Hawaii Dept of Agriculture and reviewing A PLAN FOR PREVENTION OF ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW ANT SPECIES IN HAWAII, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT (Solenopsis invicta) AND LITTLE FIRE ANT (Wasmannia auropunctata) that he provided, I would like to offer the following comments.
The Hawaii Ant Plan (HAP) is a product of the Hawaii Ant Group (HAG) whose members include government, university, and NGO people with expertise in invasive ant species in Hawaii. The HAP acknowledges the serious nature of the Little Fire Ant (LFA) calling it “one of the world’s 100 worst invasives and a major cause of native species extinctions, especially in Hawaii, where the native biota evolved in the absence of ant species.
Pertinent to our concerns about the Hawaii Superferry (HSF) is the finding from New Zealand (Harris et al 2005) that air passengers from infested islands are a high-risk pathway for LFA introduction. Furthermore, the HAG recognizes that this is an unaddressed and likely high-risk pathway in Hawaii. Clearly, the addition of personal cars, personal goods, equipment, tools and lumber to the already high-risk passenger pathway increases the danger.
Some of the minimal prevention measures recommended by the HAG include:
The identification of high-risk pathways.
The development of an inspection program and regulation of goods being shipped off infested islands.
The establishment of rigorous interisland quarantine for LFA.
The inspection and treatment of non-plant high-risk commodities.
Ensuring that qualified inspection teams with expertise in ant detection through specialized training and armed with the latest technology are at all ports.
The LFA is acknowledged as a catastrophic introduction. Passengers are recognized as a high-risk pathway. Both plant and non-plant cargo is considered high-risk.
The HSF Task Force is mandated to examine the impacts of HSF including the movement of invasive species between the islands. I once again call on this body to establish a study group of LFA experts to establish protocols for the HSF to prevent the spread of this environmental, economic and human health threat. August 21, 2008
Reposting from Karen Chun
Aloha, Brad
http://savekahuluiharbor.blogspot.com/2008/08/superferry-task-force-maui-being.html
Superferry Task Force - Maui Being Plundered
Written by Irene Bowie to the Superferry Oversight Task Force
Executive Director/Maui Tomorrow Foundation, Inc.
Superferry Oversight Task Force meeting, Honolulu, August 20, 2008
Thank you for taking the time to hear my comments today. It has been very interesting to sit through this OTF session and the one thought that comes to mind as I listen to the information shared today is the travesty that ACT 2 is. Hawaii’s environmental law states that an environmental assessment be performed prior to operations and as we can see, if this law had been followed many of the issues you’re discussing today would have been dealt with in advance.
Issues such as an undercarriage pressure-wash system, which now seems difficult, would have been required and some type of system would have been created.
Listening to Admiral Fargo state that night vision goggles, radar, and “bow-mounted cameras” are currently in the research and development stage is not acceptable. I stood before this Task Force in February of this year and told you that the technology was not adequate at this time yet HSF continued to state through last year’s whale season that those technologies would ensure safety for humpbacks during evening transits. Now, with two months before the first whales begin arriving in Hawaiian waters, Admiral Fargo says it will take more time… again, this is not acceptable in regards to an endangered and federally protected species. The only mitigation for this issue is reduced speeds, down to 10k, when traveling after dark.
And lastly, to hear DOCARE’s report on inspections and findings, I am discouraged by the number of natural resources being taken from Maui on a regular basis. To have over 400 lbs. of reef fish taken from Maui waters in a one month period is astounding; Maui fishermen are currently working to educate our community on the need to fish for invasive species rather than native species so that our reefs have a chance to become healthy again. Fish such as uhu are important not only for the health of the reef but also in the creation of sand for our disappearing beaches. The people of Maui treasure our cultural and natural resources and greater effort must be made to stop this plunder. Forty nine pounds of opihi in one month and another 75 lbs. the following month; over 250 lbs. of limu in a month; how long will these natural resources remain for our community and what studies have been done to examine this situation?
Mr. Garibaldi made much of the customer survey taken this summer; I’m sure the people who are passengers are happy with HSF, that’s why they’re onboard. However, this does nothing to repair the divisiveness in our community over the arrival of HSF. Mr. Garibaldi and other HSF staff stated many times that outreach efforts would be made to the Maui community yet nothing has come of it and no efforts have been made.
Today I ask the OTF to please consider the following 5 items:
1) We request a report on the total cost to Hawaii taxpayers for:
---a) Inspections/costs for Dept. of Ag and DOCARE staffing
---b) DOT lawsuits and appeals
---c) Oversight Task Force costs, i.e., inter-island transportation, etc.
---d) Preparation for Environmental Impact Statement
---e) Barges/tugs to assist HSF
---f) Any other costs incurred
--We ask that this information be put into a document that is released to the public.
2) We would like to know what plan is in place after December 2008 when the Oversight Task Force concludes. What is in place for inspections on the Big Island when service begins in 2009? Will DOCARE and Dept. of Ag be involved? We suggest a user fee be added to HSF ticket price to provide for needed DOCARE and Dept. of Ag staffing.
3) An update on Hawaii Superferry’s incidental take permit process and whale avoidance plan for Winter/08-09. Will the HSF’s “whale season” be abbreviated as it was last year or run concurrent with the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Sanctuary’s accepted season?
4) We strongly request that DOCARE continue regular inspections at Kahului Harbor until December of 2008 rather than moving to random inspections with HSF staff taking over the process. DOCARE’s regular reports are the only comprehensive assessment of items being transported by this new form of inter-island transportation. We need continued information to make educated decisions on procedures needed, not only for Maui, but also for the Big Island as the 2nd vessel comes on-line in 2009.
5) We ask for a more fair distribution of the remaining OTF meetings between Oahu and Maui as many members of the Maui community have comments but are unable to attend off-island meetings.
Thank you for your time today in allowing me to speak.
1 comments:
Masako said...
Masako Cordray Westcott
Comments to the Hawaii Superferry Task Force August 20, 2008
Regarding the movement of the Little Fire Ant on Hawaii Superferry.
After speaking to Neil Reimer of the Hawaii Dept of Agriculture and reviewing A PLAN FOR PREVENTION OF ESTABLISHMENT OF NEW ANT SPECIES IN HAWAII, WITH SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT (Solenopsis invicta) AND LITTLE FIRE ANT (Wasmannia auropunctata) that he provided, I would like to offer the following comments.
The Hawaii Ant Plan (HAP) is a product of the Hawaii Ant Group (HAG) whose members include government, university, and NGO people with expertise in invasive ant species in Hawaii. The HAP acknowledges the serious nature of the Little Fire Ant (LFA) calling it “one of the world’s 100 worst invasives and a major cause of native species extinctions, especially in Hawaii, where the native biota evolved in the absence of ant species.
Pertinent to our concerns about the Hawaii Superferry (HSF) is the finding from New Zealand (Harris et al 2005) that air passengers from infested islands are a high-risk pathway for LFA introduction. Furthermore, the HAG recognizes that this is an unaddressed and likely high-risk pathway in Hawaii. Clearly, the addition of personal cars, personal goods, equipment, tools and lumber to the already high-risk passenger pathway increases the danger.
Some of the minimal prevention measures recommended by the HAG include:
The identification of high-risk pathways.
The development of an inspection program and regulation of goods being shipped off infested islands.
The establishment of rigorous interisland quarantine for LFA.
The inspection and treatment of non-plant high-risk commodities.
Ensuring that qualified inspection teams with expertise in ant detection through specialized training and armed with the latest technology are at all ports.
The LFA is acknowledged as a catastrophic introduction. Passengers are recognized as a high-risk pathway. Both plant and non-plant cargo is considered high-risk.
The HSF Task Force is mandated to examine the impacts of HSF including the movement of invasive species between the islands. I once again call on this body to establish a study group of LFA experts to establish protocols for the HSF to prevent the spread of this environmental, economic and human health threat. August 21, 2008
Reposting from Karen Chun
Aloha, Brad
SEE YOU AT THE HARBOR
A couple of informal messages that are circulating.
First forwarded message:
"Supeferry Party – Sunday – Anniversary Celebration"
"Hey EIS 4 Superferry supporters:
It's coming up on the one year anniversary of the event that turned back a non-compliant, bullying Superferry from Kauai's harbor. And there's a party down at the harbor this Sunday afternoon to celebrate (peacefully, with Kauaian heart).
This is the event that Rich Hoeppner was planning officially with regular KPD feedback, but at the last minute he received a lengthy laundry list of permitting stipulations and insurance requirements including naming the County of Kaua'i as additionally insured, not before ever stipulated to him and due in 24 hours... (But honestly everyone, could you see the British "Unified Command" approving a one year anniversary celebration of the Boston Tea Party?) See http://kauaieclectic.blogspot.com/2008/08/musings-jammin.html for a report on those developments.
Anyway, back to the celebration: It's peaceful, family oriented fun, and simply simply an "informal" public day at the harbor. Come join in on the Surfrider sponsored (and Coast Guard approved) water parade on surfboard, kayak, body board,...whatever feels right and safe...that's at 2pm at Kalapaki. At 3pm, people are invited to share potluck at adjacent Nawiliwili park (unless a "health permit needed" for a potluck mysteriously appears).
Also there is a homemade Jam contest, prizes judged by Aunty Lilikoi. (If the fuzz says she needs a permit to judge the jam's, well, just eat the yummy evidence =-)
Entertainment--Music, Jam sessions, dancing, chants, bring your African drum, etc. as you like.
People are expected to informally gather/be there 12 noon-6pm ish. Enjoy, and pass on the word..."
Second forwarded message:
"ONE YEAR OF NO SUPERFERRY!"
"WHAT: An informal pot luck picnic get-together at Nawiliwili Park and Kalapaki Beach. Bring your surfboards and canoes for a symbolic paddle out at Kalapaki Beach to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Superferry's entrance to Nawiliwili. We will paddle just past the surf zone, but will not enter the harbor. All laws will be observed.
WHERE: Nawiliwili Park. Paddle-out at Kalapaki Beach.
WHEN This Sunday August 24. Informal get together starts at 1 PM. Paddle-out starts at 2 PM.
WHY: One year ago hundreds of people gathered along the harbor to give a strong message that our island did not want the Superferry. Come to network with others and share your ideas, concerns and mana'o about the possibility of its return and what to do about it."
First forwarded message:
"Supeferry Party – Sunday – Anniversary Celebration"
"Hey EIS 4 Superferry supporters:
It's coming up on the one year anniversary of the event that turned back a non-compliant, bullying Superferry from Kauai's harbor. And there's a party down at the harbor this Sunday afternoon to celebrate (peacefully, with Kauaian heart).
This is the event that Rich Hoeppner was planning officially with regular KPD feedback, but at the last minute he received a lengthy laundry list of permitting stipulations and insurance requirements including naming the County of Kaua'i as additionally insured, not before ever stipulated to him and due in 24 hours... (But honestly everyone, could you see the British "Unified Command" approving a one year anniversary celebration of the Boston Tea Party?) See http://kauaieclectic.blogspot.com/2008/08/musings-jammin.html for a report on those developments.
Anyway, back to the celebration: It's peaceful, family oriented fun, and simply simply an "informal" public day at the harbor. Come join in on the Surfrider sponsored (and Coast Guard approved) water parade on surfboard, kayak, body board,...whatever feels right and safe...that's at 2pm at Kalapaki. At 3pm, people are invited to share potluck at adjacent Nawiliwili park (unless a "health permit needed" for a potluck mysteriously appears).
Also there is a homemade Jam contest, prizes judged by Aunty Lilikoi. (If the fuzz says she needs a permit to judge the jam's, well, just eat the yummy evidence =-)
Entertainment--Music, Jam sessions, dancing, chants, bring your African drum, etc. as you like.
People are expected to informally gather/be there 12 noon-6pm ish. Enjoy, and pass on the word..."
Second forwarded message:
"ONE YEAR OF NO SUPERFERRY!"
"WHAT: An informal pot luck picnic get-together at Nawiliwili Park and Kalapaki Beach. Bring your surfboards and canoes for a symbolic paddle out at Kalapaki Beach to commemorate the one year anniversary of the Superferry's entrance to Nawiliwili. We will paddle just past the surf zone, but will not enter the harbor. All laws will be observed.
WHERE: Nawiliwili Park. Paddle-out at Kalapaki Beach.
WHEN This Sunday August 24. Informal get together starts at 1 PM. Paddle-out starts at 2 PM.
WHY: One year ago hundreds of people gathered along the harbor to give a strong message that our island did not want the Superferry. Come to network with others and share your ideas, concerns and mana'o about the possibility of its return and what to do about it."
The only article that got the 486 on 125,000 correct
The only article that got this correct. See MauiJim's comments to the article below:
http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/507353.html
"Superferry counts 125,000th traveler"
‘A significant milestone’ for service earns family free trips, other gifts
By HARRY EAGAR, Staff Writer
POSTED: August 20, 2008
"...She's not the only one. Her father, Calvin, was counted as the 125,000th passenger the Alakai has carried between islands...The ferry has now completed 486 voyages - 488 by the time your read this...The Alakai has transported more than 34,000 vehicles, of which 2,800 were commercial."
Member Comments
MauiJim said:
08-21-08 2:49 PM
OK I just did some quick math on their numbers: 125,000 pax at about $50 a head = $6 mil in revenue. 30k cars at $60 = 1.8 mil revenue. 20% more for commercial is another 1.5 mil. Just over $9 mil total. The ferry burns 1900 gph, 3h per trip, $4 per gallon...that comes to an appalling $20,000 each way in fuel costs!!! Times 486 trips = 10 mil in fuel!!! based on their own numbers they haven't even made fuel costs. The only people benefiting from the superferry are the oil companies!
Mauibrad said:
08-21-08 3:29 PM
MauiJim wrote, "...Just over $9 mil total [revenue]...Times 486 trips = 10 mil in fuel [expenses]!!! based on their own numbers they haven't even made fuel costs [in total]. The only people benefiting from the superferry are the oil companies!" That's right, Jim. You pegged it. My compliments on your analysis. Aloha, Brad
Mauibrad said:
08-21-08 2:44 PM
Harry, Thanks for clarifying the numbers. All of the reports yesterday said "400" transits. Yours more correctly mentions 486. Divided into the 125,000 equals an average of 257 per voyage which is much more believable than the 313 per voyage. Still, agree with MauiJim that there is little significance to the total 125,000 other than as another marketing stunt by HSF. BTW, the much more efficient Hawaiian Air transports 125,000 people in less than a month. Aloha, Brad
MauiJim said:
08-21-08 2:32 PM
What is so significant about that number? What a stupid press release! Can't believe this is newsworthy. They are still losing money by the truckload!
Aloha, Brad
http://www.mauinews.com/page/content.detail/id/507353.html
"Superferry counts 125,000th traveler"
‘A significant milestone’ for service earns family free trips, other gifts
By HARRY EAGAR, Staff Writer
POSTED: August 20, 2008
"...She's not the only one. Her father, Calvin, was counted as the 125,000th passenger the Alakai has carried between islands...The ferry has now completed 486 voyages - 488 by the time your read this...The Alakai has transported more than 34,000 vehicles, of which 2,800 were commercial."
Member Comments
MauiJim said:
08-21-08 2:49 PM
OK I just did some quick math on their numbers: 125,000 pax at about $50 a head = $6 mil in revenue. 30k cars at $60 = 1.8 mil revenue. 20% more for commercial is another 1.5 mil. Just over $9 mil total. The ferry burns 1900 gph, 3h per trip, $4 per gallon...that comes to an appalling $20,000 each way in fuel costs!!! Times 486 trips = 10 mil in fuel!!! based on their own numbers they haven't even made fuel costs. The only people benefiting from the superferry are the oil companies!
Mauibrad said:
08-21-08 3:29 PM
MauiJim wrote, "...Just over $9 mil total [revenue]...Times 486 trips = 10 mil in fuel [expenses]!!! based on their own numbers they haven't even made fuel costs [in total]. The only people benefiting from the superferry are the oil companies!" That's right, Jim. You pegged it. My compliments on your analysis. Aloha, Brad
Mauibrad said:
08-21-08 2:44 PM
Harry, Thanks for clarifying the numbers. All of the reports yesterday said "400" transits. Yours more correctly mentions 486. Divided into the 125,000 equals an average of 257 per voyage which is much more believable than the 313 per voyage. Still, agree with MauiJim that there is little significance to the total 125,000 other than as another marketing stunt by HSF. BTW, the much more efficient Hawaiian Air transports 125,000 people in less than a month. Aloha, Brad
MauiJim said:
08-21-08 2:32 PM
What is so significant about that number? What a stupid press release! Can't believe this is newsworthy. They are still losing money by the truckload!
Aloha, Brad
Updated Pragmatic Forecast for HSF, JHSV, LCS, etc.
Not everybody will follow these numbers. I am updating this forecast mainly because it has become apparent that the "hawks" have gotten to Obama, and so the future for JHSV and LCS is a little bit more favorable, although not what their builders might hope for. The future prospects for JHSV and LCS could be worse than this outlook, but do not believe it will be any more favorable than this forecast.
Because the DoD has allocated such a significant sum of grant funds for Austal's Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF), it is now believed Austal will be a part of the contracts for both the JHSV and the LCS, even under a more hawkish Obama or McCain. This appears to be so even though Austal's designs are fuel inefficient and the aluminium hull designs have been called into question for the rigors of military service. Therefore, it is also believed that Lockheed Martin with the LCS and Bollinger Incat USA with the JHSV may also get about half of those respective construction contracts.
The total number expected here of JHSV's to be built will be 5 to 10 for the DoD. Austal USA may get 4 to 5 of those. Bollinger Incat USA may get the other 4 to 5.
The total number expected here of LCS's to be built will be 10 to 20, not the prior planned 55. Lockheed Martin already has an order for 4 from Israel. Lockheed Martin can expect to have at least 3 to 4 more ordered by DoD. Austal can expect to have 5 to 7 ordered by DoD. This is the most, if even this, that the U.S. government will be able to budget for LCS.
Here are the lastest videos of what Austal's LCS competition looks like at high speed:
Austal will fill in missed LCS orders with 50+ fast patrol boat orders from the Navy, Coast Guard, Caribbean nations, Taiwan, etc.
Austal is building HSF's second vessel. The most that HSF will be able to operate is 2 to 3 vessels. Those will eventually be sold to the Army/Navy when commercial operations are no longer viable.
Until that eventuality, HSF may attempt service to Oahu, Kahului, Kawaihae, Kaunakakai, Hana, and Lihue. Kaunakakai and Hana will involve the seeking of existing state and federal funding.
Kauai officials should demand additional state and federal funding for infrastructure of roads, water, wastewater, and renewable energy electricity projects directly or indirectly before entertaining any such further associations on this matter.
Aloha, Brad
Because the DoD has allocated such a significant sum of grant funds for Austal's Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF), it is now believed Austal will be a part of the contracts for both the JHSV and the LCS, even under a more hawkish Obama or McCain. This appears to be so even though Austal's designs are fuel inefficient and the aluminium hull designs have been called into question for the rigors of military service. Therefore, it is also believed that Lockheed Martin with the LCS and Bollinger Incat USA with the JHSV may also get about half of those respective construction contracts.
The total number expected here of JHSV's to be built will be 5 to 10 for the DoD. Austal USA may get 4 to 5 of those. Bollinger Incat USA may get the other 4 to 5.
The total number expected here of LCS's to be built will be 10 to 20, not the prior planned 55. Lockheed Martin already has an order for 4 from Israel. Lockheed Martin can expect to have at least 3 to 4 more ordered by DoD. Austal can expect to have 5 to 7 ordered by DoD. This is the most, if even this, that the U.S. government will be able to budget for LCS.
Here are the lastest videos of what Austal's LCS competition looks like at high speed:
Austal will fill in missed LCS orders with 50+ fast patrol boat orders from the Navy, Coast Guard, Caribbean nations, Taiwan, etc.
Austal is building HSF's second vessel. The most that HSF will be able to operate is 2 to 3 vessels. Those will eventually be sold to the Army/Navy when commercial operations are no longer viable.
Until that eventuality, HSF may attempt service to Oahu, Kahului, Kawaihae, Kaunakakai, Hana, and Lihue. Kaunakakai and Hana will involve the seeking of existing state and federal funding.
Kauai officials should demand additional state and federal funding for infrastructure of roads, water, wastewater, and renewable energy electricity projects directly or indirectly before entertaining any such further associations on this matter.
Aloha, Brad
Recent KGMB Coverage, etc.
Gotta compliment KGMB-9. They have consistently provided the most coverage on HSF of any local TV station. In the past 24 hours they have had the following video reports, including the first one referencing the Belt Collins Rapid Risk Assessment:
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/9178/40/
"DOT: Superferry Needs to Do More for Environment"
Written by KGMB9 News
August 20, 2008 07:55 PM
"The Superferry gets high marks in most areas, but needs to do more to protect the environment. That's according to a study released today by the Department of Transportation.
The 200-thousand dollar risk assessment found that out of 40 categories, the Superferry did poorly in three areas.
First, 23-percent of vehicles were not inspected for banned agricultural items. That covers everything from plants and seeds, to rocks and coral.
They also need to improve inspections of car wheel wells. Also, many muddy vehicles were allowed. That D.O.T. says that could be risky because seeds and other things could be in the soil.
Finally, the assessment says the Superferry needs to screen more passengers. It found 17-percent of those without vehicles were not asked if they were carrying prohibited items...
...The Superferry plans to sail to the Big Island by next summer. It doesn't know when it'll service Kauai again.
Also see:
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/9187/40/
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/9140/108/
And lastly, the following is an interesting report today from The Molokai Dispatch:
Super Ferry Sighting on North Shore
BY ANDRES MADUENO Thursday 8-21-08
Visitors alarmed by closeness of ferry to Kalawao.
Visitors to Kalawao expressed concern over seeing the Super Ferry nearly a quarter mile off the shoreline.
By Andres Madueno
"Passengers on a tour of Kalawao last Tuesday got more than a beautiful trek through history.
They also received an alarmingly close sighting of the Hawaii Super Ferry, just off the North Shore of Molokai. The sighting happened at about 12:15 p.m. on Aug. 12 passing between the Mokapa and Okala islands.
“I think that is very disrespectful. This is holy land and they don’t have permission to be here,” said Rigo Torres, a visitor from Oahu. “They were really close – no more than a quarter of a mile away.”
Several of the passengers on Damien Tours’ Kalaupapa tour that day expressed concern over seeing the Super Ferry so close to the shoreline."
Reminds me of that boater incident reported to Randy Awo and the Oversight Task Force Committee.
See you all at the harbor. Aloha, Brad
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/9178/40/
"DOT: Superferry Needs to Do More for Environment"
Written by KGMB9 News
August 20, 2008 07:55 PM
"The Superferry gets high marks in most areas, but needs to do more to protect the environment. That's according to a study released today by the Department of Transportation.
The 200-thousand dollar risk assessment found that out of 40 categories, the Superferry did poorly in three areas.
First, 23-percent of vehicles were not inspected for banned agricultural items. That covers everything from plants and seeds, to rocks and coral.
They also need to improve inspections of car wheel wells. Also, many muddy vehicles were allowed. That D.O.T. says that could be risky because seeds and other things could be in the soil.
Finally, the assessment says the Superferry needs to screen more passengers. It found 17-percent of those without vehicles were not asked if they were carrying prohibited items...
...The Superferry plans to sail to the Big Island by next summer. It doesn't know when it'll service Kauai again.
Also see:
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/9187/40/
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/9140/108/
And lastly, the following is an interesting report today from The Molokai Dispatch:
Super Ferry Sighting on North Shore
BY ANDRES MADUENO Thursday 8-21-08
Visitors alarmed by closeness of ferry to Kalawao.
Visitors to Kalawao expressed concern over seeing the Super Ferry nearly a quarter mile off the shoreline.
By Andres Madueno
"Passengers on a tour of Kalawao last Tuesday got more than a beautiful trek through history.
They also received an alarmingly close sighting of the Hawaii Super Ferry, just off the North Shore of Molokai. The sighting happened at about 12:15 p.m. on Aug. 12 passing between the Mokapa and Okala islands.
“I think that is very disrespectful. This is holy land and they don’t have permission to be here,” said Rigo Torres, a visitor from Oahu. “They were really close – no more than a quarter of a mile away.”
Several of the passengers on Damien Tours’ Kalaupapa tour that day expressed concern over seeing the Super Ferry so close to the shoreline."
Reminds me of that boater incident reported to Randy Awo and the Oversight Task Force Committee.
See you all at the harbor. Aloha, Brad
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Another Blogger's Research into Motion Sickness
This blogger, Jeff, has put up some good, balanced posts before. Here is another one reposted from him:
http://beatofhawaii.com/avoid-motion-sickness-on-your-trip/
Avoid Motion Sickness On Your Trip
Published by Jeff at 12:02 am under Travel tips
"I’m prone to seasickness (though not to airsickness). Sitting in the back seats of cars and buses doesn’t leave me feeling all that great either. How about you?
If you’re bound for Hawaii, the water starts getting rough here, generally about October. Today’s post might help if you’re planning on any of the following:
Hawaii Superferry
Na Pali boat tours
Mainland to Hawaii cruises
NCL Inter-Island cruises
As for my own experience, we recently took an Alaska cruise which started in California. The trip up to Alaska was beyond rough. I was in bed and drugged for the first two days after applying a Scopalomine patch. In short, I was miserable, and as a result, so were my traveling companions.
We are now planning a cruise across the infamously rough Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand this Fall. I’m really determined to enjoy myself, not get seasick, and not spend my cruise time in bed and/or drugged.
Here’s a list of what I’ve tried that hasn’t been very satisfactory:
Scopalomine patch. This took too long to work, and really should be started well in advance of rough sea conditions. I never felt quite right until I took it off.
Dramamine. These should be called sleeping pills, given how drowsy they make me.
Bonine. Better than dramamine, but still completely unacceptable in terms of how they leave me feeling and how ineffective they have been.
Wrist pressure bands. The manual bands that have what feels like a marble inside that presses on the inner wrist. These just did nothing in my experience.
Ginger candy. Tastes great, but doesn’t do a thing to alleviate my seasickness.
In preparation for our upcoming trip, I’ve started reading all of the forums again, including Cruise Critic and Frommers.
Here’s a list of what I’m planning to do next:
Follow the ocean conditions closely using this oceanographic site. That way I can know what is coming, and plan my action plan accordingly. If I’d seen what was ahead when we sailed to Alaska, I’d have used the Scop patch sooner, and it might have worked better.
Relief Band. I’m really excited (and hopeful) to try this. This is an electronic, battery operated adjustable stimulator designed to prevent motion sickness (and other kinds of nausea). It has very favorable reviews in the forums, so, for $80, I’m going to give this a try. The only real negative things I read are that some people are annoyed by the constant tingling feeling in your hand it produces. But I’ll take tingling over nausea in a heartbeat.
I’ll let you know how my new plan works out.
In the meantime, what have you tried, and what works for you and what doesn’t? I’m anxiously awaiting your input and suggestions." -- Jeff ShareThis
For official links to current sea conditions in the Hawaiian Islands and in the Cook Strait see the following link:
http://hisuperferry.blogspot.com/2008/02/seastate-barf-o-meter-index-v20.html
Aloha, Brad
http://beatofhawaii.com/avoid-motion-sickness-on-your-trip/
Avoid Motion Sickness On Your Trip
Published by Jeff at 12:02 am under Travel tips
"I’m prone to seasickness (though not to airsickness). Sitting in the back seats of cars and buses doesn’t leave me feeling all that great either. How about you?
If you’re bound for Hawaii, the water starts getting rough here, generally about October. Today’s post might help if you’re planning on any of the following:
Hawaii Superferry
Na Pali boat tours
Mainland to Hawaii cruises
NCL Inter-Island cruises
As for my own experience, we recently took an Alaska cruise which started in California. The trip up to Alaska was beyond rough. I was in bed and drugged for the first two days after applying a Scopalomine patch. In short, I was miserable, and as a result, so were my traveling companions.
We are now planning a cruise across the infamously rough Tasman Sea between Australia and New Zealand this Fall. I’m really determined to enjoy myself, not get seasick, and not spend my cruise time in bed and/or drugged.
Here’s a list of what I’ve tried that hasn’t been very satisfactory:
Scopalomine patch. This took too long to work, and really should be started well in advance of rough sea conditions. I never felt quite right until I took it off.
Dramamine. These should be called sleeping pills, given how drowsy they make me.
Bonine. Better than dramamine, but still completely unacceptable in terms of how they leave me feeling and how ineffective they have been.
Wrist pressure bands. The manual bands that have what feels like a marble inside that presses on the inner wrist. These just did nothing in my experience.
Ginger candy. Tastes great, but doesn’t do a thing to alleviate my seasickness.
In preparation for our upcoming trip, I’ve started reading all of the forums again, including Cruise Critic and Frommers.
Here’s a list of what I’m planning to do next:
Follow the ocean conditions closely using this oceanographic site. That way I can know what is coming, and plan my action plan accordingly. If I’d seen what was ahead when we sailed to Alaska, I’d have used the Scop patch sooner, and it might have worked better.
Relief Band. I’m really excited (and hopeful) to try this. This is an electronic, battery operated adjustable stimulator designed to prevent motion sickness (and other kinds of nausea). It has very favorable reviews in the forums, so, for $80, I’m going to give this a try. The only real negative things I read are that some people are annoyed by the constant tingling feeling in your hand it produces. But I’ll take tingling over nausea in a heartbeat.
I’ll let you know how my new plan works out.
In the meantime, what have you tried, and what works for you and what doesn’t? I’m anxiously awaiting your input and suggestions." -- Jeff ShareThis
For official links to current sea conditions in the Hawaiian Islands and in the Cook Strait see the following link:
http://hisuperferry.blogspot.com/2008/02/seastate-barf-o-meter-index-v20.html
Aloha, Brad
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Candidates and "Jam's" couple interesting tidbits today
First, I have been informed that as of today the get together at Nawiliwili Harbor on Aug. 24th has been cancelled at least as an official function. I would assume people can still informally assemble and surf there though?
Second, was this interesting tidbit that just appeared on the net today:
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Candidates for Sale
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/22210615/candidates_for_sale
Rollingstone.com
Candidates for Sale
What do Obama and McCain have in common? The same big donors, who will expect to have their way no matter who wins
BY MATT TAIBBI
Posted Aug 21, 2008 9:42 AM
Excerpted from the above article:
"McCain has also raked in big contributions from two other giants of the buyout world: the Carlyle Group (famous for its close ties to the Bush administration) and the Blackstone Group (whose co-founder, Pete Peterson, wrote a $28,500 check to McCain after he took home almost $1.8 billion from a public offering last year). McCain has also received monstrous sums from hedge-fund managers, attracted by his pledge to keep the tax rate on their earnings at only 15 percent. Executives and family members in a single hedge fund, Knott Partners, have contributed some $225,700 to McCain's campaign. Then there's the predictable influx of cash from would-be military contractors. John Lehman, a former secretary of the Navy whose firm builds the Superferry transport vessel, not only donated $28,500 of his own money, but bundled at least $250,000 for McCain from other donors. Donald Bollinger, who is a contractor on the controversial Littoral Combat Ship, gave $27,300 and bundled a whopping $500,000. Anyone want to bet on a decrease in Naval appropriations in a McCain presidency?"
This story just doesn't quit,
Aloha, Brad
Second, was this interesting tidbit that just appeared on the net today:
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Candidates for Sale
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/22210615/candidates_for_sale
Rollingstone.com
Candidates for Sale
What do Obama and McCain have in common? The same big donors, who will expect to have their way no matter who wins
BY MATT TAIBBI
Posted Aug 21, 2008 9:42 AM
Excerpted from the above article:
"McCain has also raked in big contributions from two other giants of the buyout world: the Carlyle Group (famous for its close ties to the Bush administration) and the Blackstone Group (whose co-founder, Pete Peterson, wrote a $28,500 check to McCain after he took home almost $1.8 billion from a public offering last year). McCain has also received monstrous sums from hedge-fund managers, attracted by his pledge to keep the tax rate on their earnings at only 15 percent. Executives and family members in a single hedge fund, Knott Partners, have contributed some $225,700 to McCain's campaign. Then there's the predictable influx of cash from would-be military contractors. John Lehman, a former secretary of the Navy whose firm builds the Superferry transport vessel, not only donated $28,500 of his own money, but bundled at least $250,000 for McCain from other donors. Donald Bollinger, who is a contractor on the controversial Littoral Combat Ship, gave $27,300 and bundled a whopping $500,000. Anyone want to bet on a decrease in Naval appropriations in a McCain presidency?"
This story just doesn't quit,
Aloha, Brad
Monday, August 18, 2008
Interesting little tidbit today...
From: http://www.kitv.com/news/17223656/detail.html
"...The six to 10 employees did not recognize the group, but knew it was not the Hawaiian Kingdom that has occupied part of the palace grounds during the day since April. In fact, Chu said that group did not show up that day. The people who took over call themselves the Kingdom of Hawaii Nation Ministry Trust. They are from Maui. They arrived on the Hawaii Superferry..."
Aloha, Brad
"...The six to 10 employees did not recognize the group, but knew it was not the Hawaiian Kingdom that has occupied part of the palace grounds during the day since April. In fact, Chu said that group did not show up that day. The people who took over call themselves the Kingdom of Hawaii Nation Ministry Trust. They are from Maui. They arrived on the Hawaii Superferry..."
Aloha, Brad
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Two different takes on HSF's 'Koa' Hull A616
First, is the following video report yesterday from KHNL:
http://www.khnl.com/global/story.asp?s=8852252
New superferry has one main difference
By Duane Shimogawa
"MOBILE (KHNL) -- ...still months away, probably February next year. The new ferry incorporates some minor changes like friendlier serving areas, an upgraded sound system and a different color scheme. The biggest difference though is a foldable ramp..."
And the second are more thorough details on the plans for the ramp, desalination plant, and wastewater treatment plant on the 'Koa' version of HSF, found on the web at http://www.islandbreath.org/:
Click here to view the PDF 3meg detailed file on proposed changes to HSF 'Koa' Hull A616.
"Superferry Corporation seeks DOD contract"
by Juan Wilson on 4 August 2008 revision 1.1 080805
"I have received a PDF file from an obscured source that appears to be a proposal from the Hawaii Superferry Corporation (HSF) to the Department of Defense (DOD). Click here to download PDF 3meg file.
The proposal is for the outfitting of the second Superferry (Austal hull A616), now under construction at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, with what it calls "National Defense Features" (NDF) that would make the new Superferry more useful to the military.
The document paints a picture of a working partnership between the Superferry Corporation, Austal USA and the US Navy to coordinate the construction of civilian ferries for military use and ultimately to develop a Navy ship class that began with the Marine Third Expeditionary Force use of WestPac Express.
The proposal states:
'It seems evident that the impressive capabilities of these new, large, and fast commercial vessels could be of important service in carrying out in-theater lift missions for the Department of Defense (DOD) under any rapid mobilization scenario envisioned and codified by the VISTA program.
But operational autonomy and self-sustainability appear to be essential mission objectives for most of the scenarios discussed and reviewed by military authorities. Accordingly, it is proposed that DOD sponsor the addition of three features critical to self-sustainability under the National Defense Feature (NDF) provision of law.
These three features described in more detail below are the installed folding ramp system, a reverse osmosis seawater desalination plant, and a comparable certified wastewater treatment and disposal system.
We believe that accomplishment of these additions will provide significantly more flexibility and utility of these vessels in rapidly responding to the demanding and diverse requirements of national defense service.
With these features installed, the mobilization period before readiness for DOD service in any time of emergency can be reduced to a matter of a few days.'
The document appears to be a second or third generation photo copy that has been scanned and converted into a PDF file before distribution. The document is dated 11 March 2008 and looks to be on Superferry Corporation stationary.
Besides the cover (see detail above) the document has twelve numbered pages and three pages of illustrations.
If the document is genuine, it is supporting evidence that details what the Superferry proposes to do to redesign the Superferry fleet (and future JHSV's) to meet military specifications.
The primary NDF improvements are:
1) the addition of a loading ramp capable of loading a wide range of military hardware onto the vehicle deck from the stern of the vessel (like the Marine's WestPac Express in Okinawa.
2) the addition of seawater desalinization equipment for extended journeys
3) the capability of handling waste water generated on extended journeys.
AS to the ramp, remember that the clumsy use of barges for loading the Superferry were only considered because they would not constitute harbor infrastructure improvements and would therefore not trigger a lengthy Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A genuine EIS could sink or delay the project. That might have threaten the prospective loan guarantees of $150 million from the Maritime Administration (MARAD)."
Also from http://www.islandbreath.org/:
"Superferry lobbies for military upgrade;
Company spends $210K on lobbyists to obtain funds for vehicle ramp"
by Derrick DePledge on 14 June 2008 in The Honolulu Advertiser
"Hawaii Superferry has spent $210,000 since last summer to lobby for federal money to install features on its second high-speed catamaran to make it more attractive for military use.
Lobbyists hired by Superferry approached the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Defense to help pay for a vehicle ramp and other improvements. The ramp would allow the new catamaran to load and unload vehicles at most large piers instead of relying on shore-based ramps and barges.
Superferry paid Blank Rome LLC, a prominent law and lobbying firm, to try to obtain federal money through the National Defense Features program to cover the cost of improvements to its second catamaran under construction at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. The defense program covers the installation of militarily useful features on commercial ships if the owners agree to make the ships available to the military during emergencies.
Superferry also may eventually retrofit the Alakai, which is now in commercial passenger and cargo service between O'ahu and Maui, with a vehicle ramp and other improvements. The improvements to the catamarans, if completed, would make the vessels self-sustaining and better suited for military assignments here and abroad. The second ferry is scheduled for delivery next February..."
Aloha, Brad
http://www.khnl.com/global/story.asp?s=8852252
New superferry has one main difference
By Duane Shimogawa
"MOBILE (KHNL) -- ...still months away, probably February next year. The new ferry incorporates some minor changes like friendlier serving areas, an upgraded sound system and a different color scheme. The biggest difference though is a foldable ramp..."
And the second are more thorough details on the plans for the ramp, desalination plant, and wastewater treatment plant on the 'Koa' version of HSF, found on the web at http://www.islandbreath.org/:
Click here to view the PDF 3meg detailed file on proposed changes to HSF 'Koa' Hull A616.
"Superferry Corporation seeks DOD contract"
by Juan Wilson on 4 August 2008 revision 1.1 080805
"I have received a PDF file from an obscured source that appears to be a proposal from the Hawaii Superferry Corporation (HSF) to the Department of Defense (DOD). Click here to download PDF 3meg file.
The proposal is for the outfitting of the second Superferry (Austal hull A616), now under construction at Austal USA in Mobile, Alabama, with what it calls "National Defense Features" (NDF) that would make the new Superferry more useful to the military.
The document paints a picture of a working partnership between the Superferry Corporation, Austal USA and the US Navy to coordinate the construction of civilian ferries for military use and ultimately to develop a Navy ship class that began with the Marine Third Expeditionary Force use of WestPac Express.
The proposal states:
'It seems evident that the impressive capabilities of these new, large, and fast commercial vessels could be of important service in carrying out in-theater lift missions for the Department of Defense (DOD) under any rapid mobilization scenario envisioned and codified by the VISTA program.
But operational autonomy and self-sustainability appear to be essential mission objectives for most of the scenarios discussed and reviewed by military authorities. Accordingly, it is proposed that DOD sponsor the addition of three features critical to self-sustainability under the National Defense Feature (NDF) provision of law.
These three features described in more detail below are the installed folding ramp system, a reverse osmosis seawater desalination plant, and a comparable certified wastewater treatment and disposal system.
We believe that accomplishment of these additions will provide significantly more flexibility and utility of these vessels in rapidly responding to the demanding and diverse requirements of national defense service.
With these features installed, the mobilization period before readiness for DOD service in any time of emergency can be reduced to a matter of a few days.'
The document appears to be a second or third generation photo copy that has been scanned and converted into a PDF file before distribution. The document is dated 11 March 2008 and looks to be on Superferry Corporation stationary.
Besides the cover (see detail above) the document has twelve numbered pages and three pages of illustrations.
If the document is genuine, it is supporting evidence that details what the Superferry proposes to do to redesign the Superferry fleet (and future JHSV's) to meet military specifications.
The primary NDF improvements are:
1) the addition of a loading ramp capable of loading a wide range of military hardware onto the vehicle deck from the stern of the vessel (like the Marine's WestPac Express in Okinawa.
2) the addition of seawater desalinization equipment for extended journeys
3) the capability of handling waste water generated on extended journeys.
AS to the ramp, remember that the clumsy use of barges for loading the Superferry were only considered because they would not constitute harbor infrastructure improvements and would therefore not trigger a lengthy Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). A genuine EIS could sink or delay the project. That might have threaten the prospective loan guarantees of $150 million from the Maritime Administration (MARAD)."
Also from http://www.islandbreath.org/:
"Superferry lobbies for military upgrade;
Company spends $210K on lobbyists to obtain funds for vehicle ramp"
by Derrick DePledge on 14 June 2008 in The Honolulu Advertiser
"Hawaii Superferry has spent $210,000 since last summer to lobby for federal money to install features on its second high-speed catamaran to make it more attractive for military use.
Lobbyists hired by Superferry approached the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Defense to help pay for a vehicle ramp and other improvements. The ramp would allow the new catamaran to load and unload vehicles at most large piers instead of relying on shore-based ramps and barges.
Superferry paid Blank Rome LLC, a prominent law and lobbying firm, to try to obtain federal money through the National Defense Features program to cover the cost of improvements to its second catamaran under construction at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala. The defense program covers the installation of militarily useful features on commercial ships if the owners agree to make the ships available to the military during emergencies.
Superferry also may eventually retrofit the Alakai, which is now in commercial passenger and cargo service between O'ahu and Maui, with a vehicle ramp and other improvements. The improvements to the catamarans, if completed, would make the vessels self-sustaining and better suited for military assignments here and abroad. The second ferry is scheduled for delivery next February..."
Aloha, Brad
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Comparing Marine diesel and Jet fuel prices
There are other things that could be blogged on, but this issue has come up over on the Los Angeles Times travel blog today. Marine diesel fuel (MDO) and jet fuel prices are comparable, esp. by the metric ton, but also even by the gallon at retail.
People have not been making the comparison, but HSF runs 4 diesel engines with Rolls-Royce waterjets. The largest interisland air carrier here Hawaiian Air runs Boeing 717's with 2 Rolls-Royce jet engines, verified with one of Hawaiian Air's engineers today. The detailed calculations have been done before on this blog, that Hawaiian Air is at least twice as fuel efficient as HSF moving the same number of people interisland on the same route, regardless of whether this is reflected yet in HSF's pricing.
Beyond this comparison, what has happened to jet fuel prices ultimately is going to have dramatic affect on tourism, the visitor industry, and eventually the whole economy here in Hawaii over the coming year/s, and HSF doesn't offer any respite to that at all. Setting that aside, I found the following interesting sources comparing marine diesel fuel to jet fuel today:
They are both about the same price. Click on and scroll down the chart links below for both. It is amazing, both have about quadrupled in price since 2000.
Marine Diesel (MDO) per metric ton spot: http://www.bunkerworld.com/markets/prices/
Marine Diesel per metric ton in North America spot: http://www.bunkerindex.com/prices/namerica.php
Marine Diesel per gallon monthly in Alaska: http://www.psmfc.org/efin/data/fuel_ak.txt
Marine Diesel per gallon monthly in Wash: http://www.psmfc.org/efin/data/fuel_wa.txt
Marine Diesel per gallon monthly in Oregon: http://www.psmfc.org/efin/data/fuel_or.txt
Marine Diesel per gallon monthly in Calif: http://www.psmfc.org/efin/data/fuel_ca.txt
Jet fuel per gallon in west Pacific spot: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/hist/rjetsin5d.htm
Jet fuel per gallon in east Pacific spot: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/hist/rjetlad.htm
Jet fuel per metric ton average spot: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/economics/fuel_monitor/index.htm
Jet fuel recent price history desc.: http://www.fxstreet.com/fundamental/analysis-reports/jet-fuel-to-hedge-or-not-to-hedge-part-two/
Jet fuel price graph up to Jan. 2008: http://www.bts.gov/publications/white_house_economic_statistics_briefing_room/may_2008/html/domestic_airline_jet_fuel.html
Aloha, Brad
People have not been making the comparison, but HSF runs 4 diesel engines with Rolls-Royce waterjets. The largest interisland air carrier here Hawaiian Air runs Boeing 717's with 2 Rolls-Royce jet engines, verified with one of Hawaiian Air's engineers today. The detailed calculations have been done before on this blog, that Hawaiian Air is at least twice as fuel efficient as HSF moving the same number of people interisland on the same route, regardless of whether this is reflected yet in HSF's pricing.
Beyond this comparison, what has happened to jet fuel prices ultimately is going to have dramatic affect on tourism, the visitor industry, and eventually the whole economy here in Hawaii over the coming year/s, and HSF doesn't offer any respite to that at all. Setting that aside, I found the following interesting sources comparing marine diesel fuel to jet fuel today:
They are both about the same price. Click on and scroll down the chart links below for both. It is amazing, both have about quadrupled in price since 2000.
Marine Diesel (MDO) per metric ton spot: http://www.bunkerworld.com/markets/prices/
Marine Diesel per metric ton in North America spot: http://www.bunkerindex.com/prices/namerica.php
Marine Diesel per gallon monthly in Alaska: http://www.psmfc.org/efin/data/fuel_ak.txt
Marine Diesel per gallon monthly in Wash: http://www.psmfc.org/efin/data/fuel_wa.txt
Marine Diesel per gallon monthly in Oregon: http://www.psmfc.org/efin/data/fuel_or.txt
Marine Diesel per gallon monthly in Calif: http://www.psmfc.org/efin/data/fuel_ca.txt
Jet fuel per gallon in west Pacific spot: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/hist/rjetsin5d.htm
Jet fuel per gallon in east Pacific spot: http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/dnav/pet/hist/rjetlad.htm
Jet fuel per metric ton average spot: http://www.iata.org/whatwedo/economics/fuel_monitor/index.htm
Jet fuel recent price history desc.: http://www.fxstreet.com/fundamental/analysis-reports/jet-fuel-to-hedge-or-not-to-hedge-part-two/
Jet fuel price graph up to Jan. 2008: http://www.bts.gov/publications/white_house_economic_statistics_briefing_room/may_2008/html/domestic_airline_jet_fuel.html
Aloha, Brad
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Another Good Kauai Letter to the Editor
Sorry, have not been able to post here for a while. Will try to catch up. Here is a recent unpublished letter to the editor to a Kauai newspaper:
"This is not an E.I.S."
"In response to Mr. Carvalho's letter of 8-11-08, politicians should research what they are writing about before they are published.
Mr. Carvalho, are you aware that the environmental assessment that is being conducted by the State is being done under Governor Lingel's Act II that she pushed through the Legislature?
If you read Act II carefully, you will find that there are "4" parts to the Act. Parts 1, 2, and 4 mostly cover what the "Large Ferry" is free to do in violation of the Hawaii Environmental Protection Act 343. Part 3 covers the environmental assessment, but there is one paragraph that stipulates that this part does not affect anything covered in parts 1, 2, or 4. This makes the environmental assessment conducted under Act II totally irrelevant in it's effect on Kauai.
There are also two Hawaii Supreme Court cases pending, one from Judge Valenciano's Kauai court and one from Judge Cordoza's Maui court. After reading the court briefs on both cases, I am totally convinced that Act II will be found unconstitutional, and the ferry will again be grounded until an independent Environmental Impact Statement is completed, just as Cardoza's Court originally decreed.
Let's all wait and see what our Supreme Court decides."
Richard Hoeppner
Kauai, HI
"This is not an E.I.S."
"In response to Mr. Carvalho's letter of 8-11-08, politicians should research what they are writing about before they are published.
Mr. Carvalho, are you aware that the environmental assessment that is being conducted by the State is being done under Governor Lingel's Act II that she pushed through the Legislature?
If you read Act II carefully, you will find that there are "4" parts to the Act. Parts 1, 2, and 4 mostly cover what the "Large Ferry" is free to do in violation of the Hawaii Environmental Protection Act 343. Part 3 covers the environmental assessment, but there is one paragraph that stipulates that this part does not affect anything covered in parts 1, 2, or 4. This makes the environmental assessment conducted under Act II totally irrelevant in it's effect on Kauai.
There are also two Hawaii Supreme Court cases pending, one from Judge Valenciano's Kauai court and one from Judge Cordoza's Maui court. After reading the court briefs on both cases, I am totally convinced that Act II will be found unconstitutional, and the ferry will again be grounded until an independent Environmental Impact Statement is completed, just as Cardoza's Court originally decreed.
Let's all wait and see what our Supreme Court decides."
Richard Hoeppner
Kauai, HI
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
A "vocal minority," huh?
http://www.kauaiworld.com/articles/2008/08/06/news/news02.txt#blogcomments
August 6, 2008
KAUAI News
"Candidates oppose Superferry return"
by Nathan Eagle - THE GARDEN ISLAND
"For the first time this election season, the field of candidates for mayor and Kaua‘i County Council were together for the Eco-Roundtable Candidates Forum, yesterday, at the War Memorial Convention Hall.
Dozens of residents packed the room to hear what the hopefuls had to say on issues primarily dealing with island sustainability.
The 19 council candidates and four mayoral candidates in attendance showed unanimous opposition to the Hawaii Superferry’s return to Kaua‘i without an independent environmental impact statement first...
To learn where the candidates differed on issues and what their plans are to improve the Garden Isle, read the complete report in tomorrow’s edition of The Garden Island [at http://www.kauaiworld.com/]."
Aloha, Brad
August 6, 2008
KAUAI News
"Candidates oppose Superferry return"
by Nathan Eagle - THE GARDEN ISLAND
"For the first time this election season, the field of candidates for mayor and Kaua‘i County Council were together for the Eco-Roundtable Candidates Forum, yesterday, at the War Memorial Convention Hall.
Dozens of residents packed the room to hear what the hopefuls had to say on issues primarily dealing with island sustainability.
The 19 council candidates and four mayoral candidates in attendance showed unanimous opposition to the Hawaii Superferry’s return to Kaua‘i without an independent environmental impact statement first...
To learn where the candidates differed on issues and what their plans are to improve the Garden Isle, read the complete report in tomorrow’s edition of The Garden Island [at http://www.kauaiworld.com/]."
Aloha, Brad
Monday, August 4, 2008
OK, is it 'passenger bookings' or 'ridership' 40% increase?
Is it 'passenger bookings' or 'ridership'? They are apparently two different things.
The only way to get the 40 percent increase figure is to compare the 36,600 July passengers to the 26,175 June 'actual ridership' reported to DOT (+39.8%) and not the 30,000 June 'passenger bookings' reported to the media (+22%). So, from one month to the next a different set of numbers is being reported to the media.
Still for July they averaged covering a little more than their fuel expenses for the month, but not all of their expenses, only the second month of operations that even that has been the case. Keep in mind June, July, and August will likely be their best months of the year.
Last month the company reported to PBN, "Superferry officials said the Alakai had more than 30,000 passenger bookings in June, up 20 percent over May."
But to DOT the company reported, "HSF reporting format to Harbors is by revenue generated. So for passengers departing Honolulu in June, they show 12,992, and for passengers departing Kahului in June, they show 13,183. Autos departing Honolulu in June are 3,095 and autos departing Kahului in June are 3,182. Commercial vehicles departing Honolulu are 278 in June and 288 departing Kahului in June. I'm not sure if "bookings in June" is the same thing as units reported to Harbors. I tend to think "bookings" encompasses more than actual ridership. HSF provides a brief to the Oversight Task Force which is on our DOT website. This brief typically includes their passenger and vehicle counts for the reported period." That is 26,175 actual ridership and 6,843 actual vehicles transported for the month of June. That is a 3,825 difference in people. It was explained to me that 'passenger bookings' includes people who made reservations and paid money but who either cancelled or rescheduled, but the 3,825 difference did not actually ride on the vessel in June.
Now, which one are they comparing July to June in the media today?...the 'passenger bookings' they reported to the media last month or the 'actual ridership' they reported to DOT last month?
Well, they reported today to at least 3 media outlets; they all say the same, so I'll reference the KGMB-9 report:
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/8758/76/
"Superferry Claims 40% Jump In Ridership"
Written by KGMB9 News August 04, 2008
"The Hawaii Superferry today said the number of passengers riding the vessel in July was up approximately 40 percent over June figures...The number of vehicles in July is up 36 percent over June, according to Superferry stats. More than 36,600 passengers and 9,200 vehicles traveled between Oahu and Maui during the month of July, averaging 390 passengers and 99 vehicles per voyage. June passenger count was previously reported up 20 percent over May..."
The only way to get the 40 percent increase figure is to compare the 36,600 July passengers to the 26,175 June 'actual ridership' reported to DOT (+39.8%) and not the 30,000 June 'passenger bookings' reported to the media (+22%). Furthermore, the vehicle difference between June and July appears to be +34% and not +36%. So, from one month to the next a different set of numbers is being reported to the media. Also, the reported 20% increase of June over May was for 'passenger bookings,' not the 'actual ridership' now being reported.
Lastly, their average passengers and vehicles per voyage for July do not add up. It appears to be over by a few for each, probably due to their rounding and/or number of voyages. Still for July they averaged covering a little more than their fuel expenses for the month, but not all of their expenses, only the second month of operations that even that has been the case. Keep in mind June, July, and August will likely be their best months of the year.
Aloha, Brad
The only way to get the 40 percent increase figure is to compare the 36,600 July passengers to the 26,175 June 'actual ridership' reported to DOT (+39.8%) and not the 30,000 June 'passenger bookings' reported to the media (+22%). So, from one month to the next a different set of numbers is being reported to the media.
Still for July they averaged covering a little more than their fuel expenses for the month, but not all of their expenses, only the second month of operations that even that has been the case. Keep in mind June, July, and August will likely be their best months of the year.
Last month the company reported to PBN, "Superferry officials said the Alakai had more than 30,000 passenger bookings in June, up 20 percent over May."
But to DOT the company reported, "HSF reporting format to Harbors is by revenue generated. So for passengers departing Honolulu in June, they show 12,992, and for passengers departing Kahului in June, they show 13,183. Autos departing Honolulu in June are 3,095 and autos departing Kahului in June are 3,182. Commercial vehicles departing Honolulu are 278 in June and 288 departing Kahului in June. I'm not sure if "bookings in June" is the same thing as units reported to Harbors. I tend to think "bookings" encompasses more than actual ridership. HSF provides a brief to the Oversight Task Force which is on our DOT website. This brief typically includes their passenger and vehicle counts for the reported period." That is 26,175 actual ridership and 6,843 actual vehicles transported for the month of June. That is a 3,825 difference in people. It was explained to me that 'passenger bookings' includes people who made reservations and paid money but who either cancelled or rescheduled, but the 3,825 difference did not actually ride on the vessel in June.
Now, which one are they comparing July to June in the media today?...the 'passenger bookings' they reported to the media last month or the 'actual ridership' they reported to DOT last month?
Well, they reported today to at least 3 media outlets; they all say the same, so I'll reference the KGMB-9 report:
http://kgmb9.com/main/content/view/8758/76/
"Superferry Claims 40% Jump In Ridership"
Written by KGMB9 News August 04, 2008
"The Hawaii Superferry today said the number of passengers riding the vessel in July was up approximately 40 percent over June figures...The number of vehicles in July is up 36 percent over June, according to Superferry stats. More than 36,600 passengers and 9,200 vehicles traveled between Oahu and Maui during the month of July, averaging 390 passengers and 99 vehicles per voyage. June passenger count was previously reported up 20 percent over May..."
The only way to get the 40 percent increase figure is to compare the 36,600 July passengers to the 26,175 June 'actual ridership' reported to DOT (+39.8%) and not the 30,000 June 'passenger bookings' reported to the media (+22%). Furthermore, the vehicle difference between June and July appears to be +34% and not +36%. So, from one month to the next a different set of numbers is being reported to the media. Also, the reported 20% increase of June over May was for 'passenger bookings,' not the 'actual ridership' now being reported.
Lastly, their average passengers and vehicles per voyage for July do not add up. It appears to be over by a few for each, probably due to their rounding and/or number of voyages. Still for July they averaged covering a little more than their fuel expenses for the month, but not all of their expenses, only the second month of operations that even that has been the case. Keep in mind June, July, and August will likely be their best months of the year.
Aloha, Brad
Fuel Problems Elsewhere At Sea
http://hamptonroads.com/2008/08/navy-wonders-just-how-do-you-trim-38-billion-fuel-bill
"Navy wonders just how do you trim a $3.8 billion fuel bill?"
By Louis Hansen The Virginian-Pilot August 4, 2008
"For Navy vessels, operating at sea has taken on a different feel.
Some nights, sailors cut the engines and the warship just floats.
“We did a lot of that on deployment,” said Cmdr. Michael Junge, skipper of the Whidbey Island.
The practice helped make Junge’s amphibious ship, which spent six months in the Persian Gulf region, one of the most fuel-efficient in the fleet, he said.
With fuel prices reaching record heights, the Navy has looked for creative ways to curb costs without compromising missions. Conservation efforts are expected to save the Navy about $325 million this year.
But in July, the military bumped up oil prices to $170 per barrel from $127 to reflect true costs. The increase will wipe out the Navy’s entire annual savings in just three months. Fuel costs are an issue for all the service branches.
The military is the country’s largest single consumer of energy. It spent $13.6 billion in 2006, almost double the amount since 2003, the start of the Iraq war. Every $10 increase for a barrel of oil costs the Department of Defense $1.3 billion, according to military statistics.
The Air Force is the top consumer within the military, and the Navy is second.
The Navy expects to spend $3.8 billion to power its ships and aircraft this fiscal year, a 42 percent jump from last year.
For the fleet, cutting the engines during down periods is just one way to conserve.
The Whidbey Island is powered by four 16-cylinder diesel engines capable of steaming at more than 20 knots. Steaming on one engine or two whenever possible cuts costs, Junge said. Planning transit time, speed and destination also maximizes efforts.
When the engines are shut down , the crew takes precautions, such as posting additional watches, to maintain security.
The pressure to save fuel “hasn’t had an immediate impact on training,” said Capt. Arthur “Chip” Cotton, branch head for fleet training and readiness reporting at the Pentagon.
Leadership has looked for other ways to cut costs and still perform missions. Synthetic training – through computer simulations of ship, submarine and aircraft operations – can reduce, though not eliminate, the need for live time, Cotton said...Some in Congress are pressing the Navy to build more nuclear-powered vessels..."
Comment Submitted by johnl20927 on Mon, 08/04/2008 at 12:27 am.
"...on the SECNAV Energy Conservation Awards from year's past. There are myriad examples on how to save fuel. Steaming on one engine, reducing electric power demands to only one generator (it can be done), etc. Also purifying "waste oil" and blending it with fuel oil to burn in the main engines rather than holding it for discharge and recycling ashore. There is nothing new about this--it's apparent a lot of people aboard ship have become lazy and not worked to save fuel all the time, as they should."
Aloha, Brad
"Navy wonders just how do you trim a $3.8 billion fuel bill?"
By Louis Hansen The Virginian-Pilot August 4, 2008
"For Navy vessels, operating at sea has taken on a different feel.
Some nights, sailors cut the engines and the warship just floats.
“We did a lot of that on deployment,” said Cmdr. Michael Junge, skipper of the Whidbey Island.
The practice helped make Junge’s amphibious ship, which spent six months in the Persian Gulf region, one of the most fuel-efficient in the fleet, he said.
With fuel prices reaching record heights, the Navy has looked for creative ways to curb costs without compromising missions. Conservation efforts are expected to save the Navy about $325 million this year.
But in July, the military bumped up oil prices to $170 per barrel from $127 to reflect true costs. The increase will wipe out the Navy’s entire annual savings in just three months. Fuel costs are an issue for all the service branches.
The military is the country’s largest single consumer of energy. It spent $13.6 billion in 2006, almost double the amount since 2003, the start of the Iraq war. Every $10 increase for a barrel of oil costs the Department of Defense $1.3 billion, according to military statistics.
The Air Force is the top consumer within the military, and the Navy is second.
The Navy expects to spend $3.8 billion to power its ships and aircraft this fiscal year, a 42 percent jump from last year.
For the fleet, cutting the engines during down periods is just one way to conserve.
The Whidbey Island is powered by four 16-cylinder diesel engines capable of steaming at more than 20 knots. Steaming on one engine or two whenever possible cuts costs, Junge said. Planning transit time, speed and destination also maximizes efforts.
When the engines are shut down , the crew takes precautions, such as posting additional watches, to maintain security.
The pressure to save fuel “hasn’t had an immediate impact on training,” said Capt. Arthur “Chip” Cotton, branch head for fleet training and readiness reporting at the Pentagon.
Leadership has looked for other ways to cut costs and still perform missions. Synthetic training – through computer simulations of ship, submarine and aircraft operations – can reduce, though not eliminate, the need for live time, Cotton said...Some in Congress are pressing the Navy to build more nuclear-powered vessels..."
Comment Submitted by johnl20927 on Mon, 08/04/2008 at 12:27 am.
"...on the SECNAV Energy Conservation Awards from year's past. There are myriad examples on how to save fuel. Steaming on one engine, reducing electric power demands to only one generator (it can be done), etc. Also purifying "waste oil" and blending it with fuel oil to burn in the main engines rather than holding it for discharge and recycling ashore. There is nothing new about this--it's apparent a lot of people aboard ship have become lazy and not worked to save fuel all the time, as they should."
Aloha, Brad
Saturday, August 2, 2008
Blog on the blogs covering HSF, Austal, JHSV, & LCS
I'm gone for less than a week and interesting information came fast and furious every day. I'll take it in chronological order:
First, the local newspaper in Mobile, Alabama posted this on their news blog on July 29:
"LCS report" Posted by Press-Register Staff July 29, 2008
This Naval Audit Service report found a "significant breakdown" in internal management controls for the littoral combat ship under construction at Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile. The Press-Register obtained the report under the Freedom of Information Act. The audit service whited-out and blacked-out parts of the report for what it deemed proprietary business reasons. Download file
Second, from July 30, BYM Marine & Maritime News released the following:
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=40107
"Austal submits final Joint High Speed Vessel proposal to US Navy"
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
"Austal submitted its final Phase II Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) submission to the US Navy this week...[based on the] design and construction experience of commercially based high speed vessels in the USA...Austal USA recently launched the 127 metre trimaran LCS-2 “Independence” combat ship for the US Navy and has under construction the second 107 metre Hawaii Superferry catamaran high speed vehicle-passenger ferry. In 2007 Austal USA delivered the first Hawaii Superferry “Alakai” for intra-island service in the Hawaiian islands. Austal was recently awarded a new contract to provide additional features and equipment on the second Hawaii Superferry to facilitate its use by the military..."
Third, from July 30, Larry Geller immediately picked this up on his blog at:
http://disappearednews.com/2008/07/austal-contract-confirms-military-use.html
"Austal contract confirms military use of the Superferry is intended"
Fourth, from later July 30, Joan Conrow picked up on Larry's blog at:
http://kauaieclectic.blogspot.com/2008/07/superferry-military-link.html
"Superferry Military Link"
"I just checked out Larry Geller's Disappeared News blog and he has a very interesting post that confirms something that many of us have believed all along: the Hawaii Superferry is indeed intended for military purposes...As you may recall, the company had sought federal funding to equip the second ferry with ramps that would allow the military vehicles to easily access the ship. Other documents indicated that Austal also wanted to add desalination and sewage treatment plants and widen the hull to facilitate military uses. The total price tag was $5 million..."
Fifth, on July 30, Marine Link.com carried the following article on the JHSV with a picture of HSF's Alakai right next to it:
http://www.marinelink.com/Story/Austal-Submits-Final-Phase-II-JHSV-212439.html
"Austal Submits Final Phase II JHSV"
Sixth, on July 30, the Mobile Alabama Press-Register carried the following article also picked up by Navy Times.com of the Navy Audit Service report on LCS-2 that the Press-Register had posted to their blog on July 29:
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1217409344125180.xml&coll=3
"Audit: Austal failed to keep tabs on LCS Company didn't keep Navy managers informed on cost and schedule, says report"
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
By SEAN REILLY Washington Bureau
"WASHINGTON -- Austal USA failed to keep Navy managers informed about the cost and schedule of the littoral combat ship under construction at its Mobile yard, according to a recent report that also faults the Navy and the project's lead contractor, General Dynamics Corp., for failing to ride herd on the company..."
Seventh, on July 31, LCS-1 was launched, a competitor of Austal's. Here is an article: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/07/navy_firstLCS_072808p/
and video of it: http://www.militarytimes.com/multimedia/video/072908lcs/
Eighth, on July 31, Galrahn of the Information Dissemination Navy blog put up an outstanding blog entry on current events, pictures, and videos of LCS-1 compared to the situation with LCS-2 and Austal. This is a must read/look:
http://informationdissemination.blogspot.com/2008/07/lockheed-martin-is-having-really-good.html
Ninth, on July 31, Derrick Depledge in an article buried by his editors on the obits page of the Honolulu Advertiser, reported on the BYM Marine & Maritime News release and Larry Geller's Disappeared News coverage of it at:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/NEWS01/807310319/-1/RSS02
"Ramp will give next Superferry vessel increased flexibility"
By Derrick DePledge
"The second high-speed catamaran being built for Hawaii Superferry will include a vehicle ramp to make the vessel more flexible at state harbors and more suitable for military use...The second catamaran is under construction at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala., and is expected to be delivered next year. Fargo said Superferry has not determined whether it will also retrofit the Alakai...Fargo said yesterday that Superferry decided to go ahead with the ramp without the defense money but is still hopeful..."
Tenth, on July 31, the Mobile Alabama Press-Register carried the following article:
http://www.al.com/business/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/business/1217495829206050.xml&coll=3
"Austal submits bid to build up to 10 high-speed military vessels"
Thursday, July 31, 2008
By KAIJA WILKINSON
"Mobile shipbuilder Austal USA said Wednesday that it had submitted its final bid for a contract that could lead to construction of up to 10 high-speed troop transport ships...
"We have the trained workforce ready today, we have the facilities available today to support construction, and we have already built a vessel of very similar design right here in Mobile," he said, referring the Hawaii Superferry...
The Mobile shipbuilder also said Wednesday that it had won new work to provide "additional features and equipment on the second Hawaii Superferry to facilitate its use by the military."
Part of a $190-million, two-ship contract, the vessel is being built for Hawaii Superferry Inc. The first Superferry is in service in Hawaii, but the company's plan to run an inter-island ferry service has been plagued by environmental protests, and company officials could be positioning the vessel for sale to a third party.
Browning said he met recently with Thomas Fargo, a retired U.S. Navy admiral who is Hawaii Superferry's chief executive, and there was "no mention" of plans to sell the second vessel.
"However, the national defense features we are adding to HSF 2 would enable the vessel to be chartered to the military if they so desired," Browning said..."
Eleventh, on July 31, Larry Geller responding on his blog to finding his name on the obits page:
http://disappearednews.com/2008/07/does-military-adaptation-of-superferry.html
"Does military adaptation of Superferry deserve its spot on the obituary page?"
Twelveth, on July 31, Joan Conrow follows up on these events with some additional commentary:
http://kauaieclectic.blogspot.com/2008/07/more-on-superferry-military-links.html
"More on Superferry Military Links"
"...Now I don’t mind if HSF 2, or even the Alakai, for that matter, is made into a military ship, although it bothers me that the HSF spent so much money lobbying in an effort to get us taxpayers to pick up the tab. But I’m a fan of full disclosure, and when Hawaii Superferry came to town, asking for all sorts of state help and public acceptance for what is proving to be a rather dubious commercial enterprise, I think they should have been totally up front about their military aspirations. Then we all could have weighed the issue more carefully, and asked such probing questions as whether HSF really is committed to the state for the long haul, or if we’ll be left holding the bag for those expensive harbor improvements, tugboat operations and litigation — and have no alternative form of transportation to show for it...But slow by slow, it seems the truth is being revealed, and perhaps one day the full tale will be told..."
Thirteenth, later on July 31, rabid reporter Andy Parx wrote a great blog entry review of all this with some biting literary sarcasm at:
http://parxnewsdaily.blogspot.com/2008/07/no-no-its-just-whiskerless-barking-cat.html
"NO, NO- IT’S A JUST WHISKERLESS BARKING CAT"
"...the best kind of scam of all. The most superlatively run cons have partnerships where one of the scammers is also scamming the others because they’re too busy conning others to realize they’re being taken. Ever wonder why an obvious idiot like Garibaldi was put in charge? Garibaldi thought he was going to con everyone else into actually accepting the ferry, be a hero and make a lot of money. Lingle thought she was going to con everyone to put a higher-office feather in her admiral's cap. Everyone involved was out to con someone into something for their personal enrichment, whether monetary or otherwise including many of the “regular people” who thought they were getting insanely cheap transportation or a way to steal and smuggle back neighbor island resources or at least exploit them on the cheap...The most rabid Superferry proponent even asks “how could these people be so stupid.” The answer is they weren’t and aren’t...Nobody is that stupid. They always had this as their real plan."
Fourteenth, on August 1st, BYM Marine & Maritime News and the Mobile Alabama Press-Register came back with some more good coverage:
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=40193
"Austal breaks ground on new Modular Manufacturing Facility"
"Austal’s US operation located in Mobile, Alabama, celebrated the start of work on its Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF) with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 31, 2008...The state-of-the-art facility will be capable of constructing six large aluminum vessels such as the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and/or Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) per year...Austal submitted its final Phase II Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) submission to the US Navy this week following an extensive detailed design and review process...Austal is preparing to launch the second of two 107-meter Hawaii Superferries in September..."
http://blog.al.com/live/2008/08/austal_begins_245m_facility.html
"Austal begins $245M facility"
Posted by KAIJA WILKINSON August 01, 2008
"Austal USA is banking on a $254 million expansion of its Mobile shipyard to lay the groundwork for large-scale U.S. military work. Austal broke ground Thursday on a modular manufacturing facility that promises faster, less expensive ship construction at a time when the Defense Department is trying to rein in costs, particularly on ships. Whether the U.S. Navy responds with new contracts remains to be seen...According to Browning, the new facility will allow Austal to build ships 10 percent faster from contract award to delivery and trim up to 25 percent of the cost of the next three LCS frames should it win three more...At full build-out, the facility would be capable of turning out six ships on the scale of the LCS each year...Again, that will hinge on winning more work...During the ceremony Browning pointed to the "huge amount of support" the company has gotten on the local, state and federal level since arriving here about eight years ago. Austal will get $24.4 million in sales tax breaks for its new facility, and the Navy has agreed to pay $33 million of the tab, part of a $140 million federal effort to boost post-Hurricane Katrina recovery at Gulf Coast shipyards."
Lastly, on August 1st, Dick Mayer sent out the following bit of humor:
Maternity Ward for the Superferry's children...[Son of a Superferry]
Re: Austal breaks ground on new Modular Manufacturing Facility
Click on those links and read 'em,
We're all caught up now,
Aloha, Brad
First, the local newspaper in Mobile, Alabama posted this on their news blog on July 29:
"LCS report" Posted by Press-Register Staff July 29, 2008
This Naval Audit Service report found a "significant breakdown" in internal management controls for the littoral combat ship under construction at Austal USA's shipyard in Mobile. The Press-Register obtained the report under the Freedom of Information Act. The audit service whited-out and blacked-out parts of the report for what it deemed proprietary business reasons. Download file
Second, from July 30, BYM Marine & Maritime News released the following:
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=40107
"Austal submits final Joint High Speed Vessel proposal to US Navy"
Wednesday, 30 July 2008
"Austal submitted its final Phase II Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) submission to the US Navy this week...[based on the] design and construction experience of commercially based high speed vessels in the USA...Austal USA recently launched the 127 metre trimaran LCS-2 “Independence” combat ship for the US Navy and has under construction the second 107 metre Hawaii Superferry catamaran high speed vehicle-passenger ferry. In 2007 Austal USA delivered the first Hawaii Superferry “Alakai” for intra-island service in the Hawaiian islands. Austal was recently awarded a new contract to provide additional features and equipment on the second Hawaii Superferry to facilitate its use by the military..."
Third, from July 30, Larry Geller immediately picked this up on his blog at:
http://disappearednews.com/2008/07/austal-contract-confirms-military-use.html
"Austal contract confirms military use of the Superferry is intended"
Fourth, from later July 30, Joan Conrow picked up on Larry's blog at:
http://kauaieclectic.blogspot.com/2008/07/superferry-military-link.html
"Superferry Military Link"
"I just checked out Larry Geller's Disappeared News blog and he has a very interesting post that confirms something that many of us have believed all along: the Hawaii Superferry is indeed intended for military purposes...As you may recall, the company had sought federal funding to equip the second ferry with ramps that would allow the military vehicles to easily access the ship. Other documents indicated that Austal also wanted to add desalination and sewage treatment plants and widen the hull to facilitate military uses. The total price tag was $5 million..."
Fifth, on July 30, Marine Link.com carried the following article on the JHSV with a picture of HSF's Alakai right next to it:
http://www.marinelink.com/Story/Austal-Submits-Final-Phase-II-JHSV-212439.html
"Austal Submits Final Phase II JHSV"
Sixth, on July 30, the Mobile Alabama Press-Register carried the following article also picked up by Navy Times.com of the Navy Audit Service report on LCS-2 that the Press-Register had posted to their blog on July 29:
http://www.al.com/news/press-register/index.ssf?/base/news/1217409344125180.xml&coll=3
"Audit: Austal failed to keep tabs on LCS Company didn't keep Navy managers informed on cost and schedule, says report"
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
By SEAN REILLY Washington Bureau
"WASHINGTON -- Austal USA failed to keep Navy managers informed about the cost and schedule of the littoral combat ship under construction at its Mobile yard, according to a recent report that also faults the Navy and the project's lead contractor, General Dynamics Corp., for failing to ride herd on the company..."
Seventh, on July 31, LCS-1 was launched, a competitor of Austal's. Here is an article: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/07/navy_firstLCS_072808p/
and video of it: http://www.militarytimes.com/multimedia/video/072908lcs/
Eighth, on July 31, Galrahn of the Information Dissemination Navy blog put up an outstanding blog entry on current events, pictures, and videos of LCS-1 compared to the situation with LCS-2 and Austal. This is a must read/look:
http://informationdissemination.blogspot.com/2008/07/lockheed-martin-is-having-really-good.html
Ninth, on July 31, Derrick Depledge in an article buried by his editors on the obits page of the Honolulu Advertiser, reported on the BYM Marine & Maritime News release and Larry Geller's Disappeared News coverage of it at:
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080731/NEWS01/807310319/-1/RSS02
"Ramp will give next Superferry vessel increased flexibility"
By Derrick DePledge
"The second high-speed catamaran being built for Hawaii Superferry will include a vehicle ramp to make the vessel more flexible at state harbors and more suitable for military use...The second catamaran is under construction at the Austal USA shipyard in Mobile, Ala., and is expected to be delivered next year. Fargo said Superferry has not determined whether it will also retrofit the Alakai...Fargo said yesterday that Superferry decided to go ahead with the ramp without the defense money but is still hopeful..."
Tenth, on July 31, the Mobile Alabama Press-Register carried the following article:
http://www.al.com/business/mobileregister/index.ssf?/base/business/1217495829206050.xml&coll=3
"Austal submits bid to build up to 10 high-speed military vessels"
Thursday, July 31, 2008
By KAIJA WILKINSON
"Mobile shipbuilder Austal USA said Wednesday that it had submitted its final bid for a contract that could lead to construction of up to 10 high-speed troop transport ships...
"We have the trained workforce ready today, we have the facilities available today to support construction, and we have already built a vessel of very similar design right here in Mobile," he said, referring the Hawaii Superferry...
The Mobile shipbuilder also said Wednesday that it had won new work to provide "additional features and equipment on the second Hawaii Superferry to facilitate its use by the military."
Part of a $190-million, two-ship contract, the vessel is being built for Hawaii Superferry Inc. The first Superferry is in service in Hawaii, but the company's plan to run an inter-island ferry service has been plagued by environmental protests, and company officials could be positioning the vessel for sale to a third party.
Browning said he met recently with Thomas Fargo, a retired U.S. Navy admiral who is Hawaii Superferry's chief executive, and there was "no mention" of plans to sell the second vessel.
"However, the national defense features we are adding to HSF 2 would enable the vessel to be chartered to the military if they so desired," Browning said..."
Eleventh, on July 31, Larry Geller responding on his blog to finding his name on the obits page:
http://disappearednews.com/2008/07/does-military-adaptation-of-superferry.html
"Does military adaptation of Superferry deserve its spot on the obituary page?"
Twelveth, on July 31, Joan Conrow follows up on these events with some additional commentary:
http://kauaieclectic.blogspot.com/2008/07/more-on-superferry-military-links.html
"More on Superferry Military Links"
"...Now I don’t mind if HSF 2, or even the Alakai, for that matter, is made into a military ship, although it bothers me that the HSF spent so much money lobbying in an effort to get us taxpayers to pick up the tab. But I’m a fan of full disclosure, and when Hawaii Superferry came to town, asking for all sorts of state help and public acceptance for what is proving to be a rather dubious commercial enterprise, I think they should have been totally up front about their military aspirations. Then we all could have weighed the issue more carefully, and asked such probing questions as whether HSF really is committed to the state for the long haul, or if we’ll be left holding the bag for those expensive harbor improvements, tugboat operations and litigation — and have no alternative form of transportation to show for it...But slow by slow, it seems the truth is being revealed, and perhaps one day the full tale will be told..."
Thirteenth, later on July 31, rabid reporter Andy Parx wrote a great blog entry review of all this with some biting literary sarcasm at:
http://parxnewsdaily.blogspot.com/2008/07/no-no-its-just-whiskerless-barking-cat.html
"NO, NO- IT’S A JUST WHISKERLESS BARKING CAT"
"...the best kind of scam of all. The most superlatively run cons have partnerships where one of the scammers is also scamming the others because they’re too busy conning others to realize they’re being taken. Ever wonder why an obvious idiot like Garibaldi was put in charge? Garibaldi thought he was going to con everyone else into actually accepting the ferry, be a hero and make a lot of money. Lingle thought she was going to con everyone to put a higher-office feather in her admiral's cap. Everyone involved was out to con someone into something for their personal enrichment, whether monetary or otherwise including many of the “regular people” who thought they were getting insanely cheap transportation or a way to steal and smuggle back neighbor island resources or at least exploit them on the cheap...The most rabid Superferry proponent even asks “how could these people be so stupid.” The answer is they weren’t and aren’t...Nobody is that stupid. They always had this as their real plan."
Fourteenth, on August 1st, BYM Marine & Maritime News and the Mobile Alabama Press-Register came back with some more good coverage:
http://www.bymnews.com/news/newsDetails.php?id=40193
"Austal breaks ground on new Modular Manufacturing Facility"
"Austal’s US operation located in Mobile, Alabama, celebrated the start of work on its Modular Manufacturing Facility (MMF) with a groundbreaking ceremony on July 31, 2008...The state-of-the-art facility will be capable of constructing six large aluminum vessels such as the Navy’s Littoral Combat Ship (LCS) and/or Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) per year...Austal submitted its final Phase II Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) submission to the US Navy this week following an extensive detailed design and review process...Austal is preparing to launch the second of two 107-meter Hawaii Superferries in September..."
http://blog.al.com/live/2008/08/austal_begins_245m_facility.html
"Austal begins $245M facility"
Posted by KAIJA WILKINSON August 01, 2008
"Austal USA is banking on a $254 million expansion of its Mobile shipyard to lay the groundwork for large-scale U.S. military work. Austal broke ground Thursday on a modular manufacturing facility that promises faster, less expensive ship construction at a time when the Defense Department is trying to rein in costs, particularly on ships. Whether the U.S. Navy responds with new contracts remains to be seen...According to Browning, the new facility will allow Austal to build ships 10 percent faster from contract award to delivery and trim up to 25 percent of the cost of the next three LCS frames should it win three more...At full build-out, the facility would be capable of turning out six ships on the scale of the LCS each year...Again, that will hinge on winning more work...During the ceremony Browning pointed to the "huge amount of support" the company has gotten on the local, state and federal level since arriving here about eight years ago. Austal will get $24.4 million in sales tax breaks for its new facility, and the Navy has agreed to pay $33 million of the tab, part of a $140 million federal effort to boost post-Hurricane Katrina recovery at Gulf Coast shipyards."
Lastly, on August 1st, Dick Mayer sent out the following bit of humor:
Maternity Ward for the Superferry's children...[Son of a Superferry]
Re: Austal breaks ground on new Modular Manufacturing Facility
Click on those links and read 'em,
We're all caught up now,
Aloha, Brad
Monday, July 28, 2008
Notes from the Ferry OTF Meeting of June 13, 2008
Was scanning the most recently posted OTF report on the DOT website and noticed a few points. See: http://hawaii.gov/dot/harbors/file-links/hiilfvotf/reports-to-the-legislature/OTF%20Report%20-%2006.27.08.pdf
First, from page 10 of the pdf file regarding the Belt Collins RRA:
"...the written survey of passengers on the vessel during the trips...passenger statistics were 48% from Oahu, 20% from Maui, average party size was 2.96 persons, average stay was 5.2 nights..." So more than twice as many passengers are from Oahu than Maui. Party size of 3 as is expected. Oahu and Maui is 68%, so at least 32% are likely to be visitors. All interesting numbers.
Second, on page 11 of the pdf file regarding Community Input:
"Concerns regarding Austal's construction of HSF's Alakai vessel."
And the next is what I heard about, apparently it stunned everybody in attendance and all of the committee members: "A member of the community gave a short background on fire ants and their negative effect on the Hawaiian islands. A suggestion was made for the OTF to recommend the formation of a study group to tackle the issue..."
Third, on page 12 of the pdf file:
"A question was asked if ramps on the Superferry [are] being considered?...Member Garibaldi responded that no ramp decisions have been made as of this date."
Fourth, on page 56 of the pdf file:
Laura Thielen, for DLNR/DOCARE in a letter makes the following recommendation to amend and strengthen the Governor's Executive Order No. 07-10 from:
"Prohibit Transport of Opihi, Lobster, or other Crustaceans" to Condition 2 should read: "The company shall agree that the transport of opihi, lobster, or crustaceans, that may be found and/or taken from within the waters of the State of Hawaii is prohibited and the company shall agree to notify passengers of this prohibition and shall prevent the transport of these species."
There were also a lot of pictures taken by DLNR of above such attempted "violations" from pages 34 - 51 of the pdf file. See: http://hawaii.gov/dot/harbors/file-links/hiilfvotf/reports-to-the-legislature/OTF%20Report%20-%2006.27.08.pdf
Tomorrow on Kauai will be a DLNR community meeting, "In an effort to step up the protection and compliance with the state's natural and cultural resources laws, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold statewide public informational meetings...on Kaua'i: Tuesday, July 29, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lihu'e State Office Building, 2nd Floor, Conference Room C 3060 Eiwa Street, Lihue, HI 96766"
Aloha, Brad
First, from page 10 of the pdf file regarding the Belt Collins RRA:
"...the written survey of passengers on the vessel during the trips...passenger statistics were 48% from Oahu, 20% from Maui, average party size was 2.96 persons, average stay was 5.2 nights..." So more than twice as many passengers are from Oahu than Maui. Party size of 3 as is expected. Oahu and Maui is 68%, so at least 32% are likely to be visitors. All interesting numbers.
Second, on page 11 of the pdf file regarding Community Input:
"Concerns regarding Austal's construction of HSF's Alakai vessel."
And the next is what I heard about, apparently it stunned everybody in attendance and all of the committee members: "A member of the community gave a short background on fire ants and their negative effect on the Hawaiian islands. A suggestion was made for the OTF to recommend the formation of a study group to tackle the issue..."
Third, on page 12 of the pdf file:
"A question was asked if ramps on the Superferry [are] being considered?...Member Garibaldi responded that no ramp decisions have been made as of this date."
Fourth, on page 56 of the pdf file:
Laura Thielen, for DLNR/DOCARE in a letter makes the following recommendation to amend and strengthen the Governor's Executive Order No. 07-10 from:
"Prohibit Transport of Opihi, Lobster, or other Crustaceans" to Condition 2 should read: "The company shall agree that the transport of opihi, lobster, or crustaceans, that may be found and/or taken from within the waters of the State of Hawaii is prohibited and the company shall agree to notify passengers of this prohibition and shall prevent the transport of these species."
There were also a lot of pictures taken by DLNR of above such attempted "violations" from pages 34 - 51 of the pdf file. See: http://hawaii.gov/dot/harbors/file-links/hiilfvotf/reports-to-the-legislature/OTF%20Report%20-%2006.27.08.pdf
Tomorrow on Kauai will be a DLNR community meeting, "In an effort to step up the protection and compliance with the state's natural and cultural resources laws, the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) will hold statewide public informational meetings...on Kaua'i: Tuesday, July 29, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Lihu'e State Office Building, 2nd Floor, Conference Room C 3060 Eiwa Street, Lihue, HI 96766"
Aloha, Brad
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Letter to the Editor
Letter to the Editor sent to The Garden Island News:
Kauai Sentiment already known on HSF
Regarding the letter 'Superferry vote?' from July 24, 2008, the writer from Oahu might not know, but there have been a number of reliable polls taken on that issue on Kauai in the past few months and they all show 55 to 60% 'No' Kauai does not want the Superferry and only 40 to 45% 'Yes' Kauai does want the Superferry. In most elections that would be considered a landslide of sentiment.
No need to waste anymore time or money putting that to a vote, especially when the people of Kauai have other more important issues and candidates to consider in the upcoming election.
Aloha, Brad
Kauai Sentiment already known on HSF
Regarding the letter 'Superferry vote?' from July 24, 2008, the writer from Oahu might not know, but there have been a number of reliable polls taken on that issue on Kauai in the past few months and they all show 55 to 60% 'No' Kauai does not want the Superferry and only 40 to 45% 'Yes' Kauai does want the Superferry. In most elections that would be considered a landslide of sentiment.
No need to waste anymore time or money putting that to a vote, especially when the people of Kauai have other more important issues and candidates to consider in the upcoming election.
Aloha, Brad
Friday, July 25, 2008
True Colors...
Well, they had to come up with something to deal with the seasonal, cyclical, and systematic downturn that will happen in the Fall. The slow seasonality that we always have in the Fall is visitor related. Military personnel on Oahu are not affected by that, and initially will be only slightly affected by the other two, so the following company preference is a logical one, assuming the PUC approves it:
"Superferry Discount to Military Personnel"
Written by KGMB9 News - news@kgmb9.com
July 24, 2008 05:48 PM
"Hawaii Superferry announces a $59 one-way passenger fare for travel beginning August 5 and through October 31, 2008. One-way vehicle fares during this travel period remain at $65. One-way fares for seniors (62+), children (2-12), and retired and active military personnel, and their dependents, are $49 during this period. These fares will be available for purchase on August 5. These new one-way fares do not include applicable taxes and fees, and are subject to approval by the Public Utilities Commission. A fuel surcharge is not applicable to these fares during this period. Peak pricing is applicable on certain days during this period. Rates are subject to change. The current summer promotional rate of $49 each way is available for bookings made before August 5 for travel through September 30, 2008..."
Aloha, Brad
"Superferry Discount to Military Personnel"
Written by KGMB9 News - news@kgmb9.com
July 24, 2008 05:48 PM
"Hawaii Superferry announces a $59 one-way passenger fare for travel beginning August 5 and through October 31, 2008. One-way vehicle fares during this travel period remain at $65. One-way fares for seniors (62+), children (2-12), and retired and active military personnel, and their dependents, are $49 during this period. These fares will be available for purchase on August 5. These new one-way fares do not include applicable taxes and fees, and are subject to approval by the Public Utilities Commission. A fuel surcharge is not applicable to these fares during this period. Peak pricing is applicable on certain days during this period. Rates are subject to change. The current summer promotional rate of $49 each way is available for bookings made before August 5 for travel through September 30, 2008..."
Aloha, Brad
Thursday, July 24, 2008
First Contract: Israel Picks Lockheed LCS
http://www.al.com/business/press-register/index.ssf?/base/business/1216736108310100.xml&coll=3
http://nosint.blogspot.com/2008/07/israel-picks-lockheed-lcs.html
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
"Israel Picks Lockheed LCS"
"Israel has picked the rival of a Mobile-based shipbuilder for an order of up to four warships, proposing a contract that, if finalized, could reach $1.9 billion. The move could enhance future business for Lockheed Martin Corp., industry analysts said, but should not guide the U.S. Navy's decision on which of two competing teams eventually will build up to 55 of the new breed of shore-hugging vessels known as Littoral Combat Ships. Mobile shipbuilder Austal USA is part of a team led by General Dynamics Corp. that is competing with Lockheed to build the ships for the U.S. Navy. Both teams have launched their ships – Lockheed's Freedom (LCS-1) in Marinette, Wis., and General Dynamics' Independence (LCS-2) in Mobile."
This says a lot,
Aloha, Brad
http://nosint.blogspot.com/2008/07/israel-picks-lockheed-lcs.html
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
"Israel Picks Lockheed LCS"
"Israel has picked the rival of a Mobile-based shipbuilder for an order of up to four warships, proposing a contract that, if finalized, could reach $1.9 billion. The move could enhance future business for Lockheed Martin Corp., industry analysts said, but should not guide the U.S. Navy's decision on which of two competing teams eventually will build up to 55 of the new breed of shore-hugging vessels known as Littoral Combat Ships. Mobile shipbuilder Austal USA is part of a team led by General Dynamics Corp. that is competing with Lockheed to build the ships for the U.S. Navy. Both teams have launched their ships – Lockheed's Freedom (LCS-1) in Marinette, Wis., and General Dynamics' Independence (LCS-2) in Mobile."
This says a lot,
Aloha, Brad
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Videos of Matt Simmons on the state of Oil
Some might question the connection here. It should be clear, the state of oil and fuel in the economy down to the microeconomic level is changing quickly regardless of where you think it is going. All transportation companies have to be concerned about it. The only state in this union that is 80 to 90% dependent upon outside sources of fuel should be concerned about it.
Today I read the following quote elsewhere and in light of what is happening with all lesser currencies, I found it to be spot on, "Ultimately, what we call money in the modern economy is nothing more than the ability to command energy to do what we want it to do."
Along these lines, Matt Simmons is the best analyst and speaker I have found on the oil industry. These are the best videos I could find on Mr. Simmons:
This one is not about Matt Simmons, but interesting nevertheless. It was created by an Ocean Engineer based in Honolulu:
Aloha, Brad
Today I read the following quote elsewhere and in light of what is happening with all lesser currencies, I found it to be spot on, "Ultimately, what we call money in the modern economy is nothing more than the ability to command energy to do what we want it to do."
Along these lines, Matt Simmons is the best analyst and speaker I have found on the oil industry. These are the best videos I could find on Mr. Simmons:
This one is not about Matt Simmons, but interesting nevertheless. It was created by an Ocean Engineer based in Honolulu:
Aloha, Brad
Monday, July 21, 2008
Crunching the numbers for June, Part 2
This is almost funny. What is the difference between "passenger bookings" and actual "ridership?" I guess with this company we have to ask questions about semantics like this. Here is why. From my recent prior post:
http://hisuperferry.blogspot.com/2008/07/crunching-numbers-for-june.html
"The current issue of Pacific Business News has the first and only report of total ridership for June. 'Superferry officials said the Alakai had more than 30,000 passenger bookings in June, up 20 percent over May.'"
And a reply I got today from a person who would know at DOT-Harbors:
"Brad, the HSF reporting format to Harbors is by revenue generated. So for passengers departing Honolulu in June, they show 12,992, and for passengers departing Kahului in June, they show 13,183. Autos departing Honolulu in June are 3,095 and autos departing Kahului in June are 3,182. Commercial vehicles departing Honolulu are 278 in June and 288 departing Kahului in June. I'm not sure if "bookings in June" is the same thing as units reported to Harbors. I tend to think "bookings" encompasses more than actual ridership. HSF provides a brief to the Oversight Task Force which is on our DOT website. This brief typically includes their passenger and vehicle counts for the reported period."
So, that's almost 4,000 passengers less than the "bookings" reported to PBN, meaning the prior overly generous numbers should be re-calculated. I'm not going to waste time on that, it can still be said that they only covered their fuel costs for June, at best, and that's as good as it has gotten for these PR geniuses.
Aloha, Brad
http://hisuperferry.blogspot.com/2008/07/crunching-numbers-for-june.html
"The current issue of Pacific Business News has the first and only report of total ridership for June. 'Superferry officials said the Alakai had more than 30,000 passenger bookings in June, up 20 percent over May.'"
And a reply I got today from a person who would know at DOT-Harbors:
"Brad, the HSF reporting format to Harbors is by revenue generated. So for passengers departing Honolulu in June, they show 12,992, and for passengers departing Kahului in June, they show 13,183. Autos departing Honolulu in June are 3,095 and autos departing Kahului in June are 3,182. Commercial vehicles departing Honolulu are 278 in June and 288 departing Kahului in June. I'm not sure if "bookings in June" is the same thing as units reported to Harbors. I tend to think "bookings" encompasses more than actual ridership. HSF provides a brief to the Oversight Task Force which is on our DOT website. This brief typically includes their passenger and vehicle counts for the reported period."
So, that's almost 4,000 passengers less than the "bookings" reported to PBN, meaning the prior overly generous numbers should be re-calculated. I'm not going to waste time on that, it can still be said that they only covered their fuel costs for June, at best, and that's as good as it has gotten for these PR geniuses.
Aloha, Brad
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