Island Breath: Unfolding Superferry News

SUBJECT: SUPERFERRY UPDATES

SOURCE: LEE TEPLEY leetepley@earthlink.net

POSTED: 5 SEPTMEBER 2007 - 11:00am HST

HSF like boat probably already killed Hawaiian whale

image above: "Slice" vessel in Hawaii in the late 1990's that likely struck humpback in our waters

by Lee Tepley on 5 September 2007

Earlier today, I was shocked to come across an "Envirowatch" web page that showed that a vessel called "Slice" - which is similar to the Superferry - may have already killed two Humpbacks in Hawaiian waters. The page was probably put on line about 8 years ago. It includes a link to the current Envirowatch home page but the home page does not seem to link back to this page. So I may have stumbled on a long forgotten web page.

I encourage you to go to the Envirowatch web page at http://www.envirowatch.org/slicepg.htm

I have included a few excerpts.. The first excerpt shows that SAC did not disclose the existence of Swath and Slice vessels. The excerpt states:

"A review of the final Environmental Impact Statement and Management Plan for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary found that the use of the Swath and Slice Vessels, or their development, was not disclosed in Appendix F "List of Military Activities in Hawaii".

image above: A SLICE vessel built by Lackheed-Martin in the 1990's

"Slice" is actually the name of a specific vessel in the "Slice" category. "Slice" and "Swath" vessels are closely related. In fact, as described in the 2nd attachment below, "Slice" is a variant of "Swath". The Superferry is a "Semi-swath" vessel. This is confusing but "Slice" and "Alakai" are similar in appearance.

The second excerpt states that National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) covered up the report that "Slice" had struck a whale. The excerpt states:

"On or about March 18, 1998, the National Marine Fisheries Service interviewed the Captain of the Slice after he reported a collision between the Slice and a whale or other large marine mammal." Of even greater concern is that NMFS is covering up the fact by not prosecuting the Navy or vessel operator after documenting the incident, nor have they considered future impacts and compliance with NEPA, which requires an analysis of potential environmental effects of major federal actions within U.S. territorial waters. We’ve also learned that NMFS only response to the incident was to write up an internal memorandum regarding the matter."

Does this "military cover up" stuff seem familiar??
image above: A proposed SWATH vessel at www.swath.com. It is a ferry that can travel at 37knots.About 250 feet long and carrying 875 passengers plus 250 cars. Sound familiar.

The Swath and Semi-Swath designs are what the Superferry design is based. Note the similarity between the Slice, Swath and Semi-Swath to the Superferry "Alakai" and the vessel shown above designed in the 1990's.

If we can't stop them in court, see you at Kalapaki Beach when the Alakai arrives.

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