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MarEx Mailbag:

Published Jan 14, 2011 3:47 PM by The Maritime Executive

The Mailbag is once again heavy this week as readers respond to last week’s editorial.

Last week, our lead piece centered on the court decision which has sidelined the Hawaii Superferry. The editorial, entitled “Striking a Balance: Mixed Message in Hawaii”, struck a chord with more than one reader. In the piece, we lamented the loss of this service and questioned why the needs of so many who depend on a real, honest-to-goodness “green marine, all American” operation are routinely ignored. The case goes to show, at least in my opinion, why the (alleged) environmental concerns of a few have now come to outweigh the needs of society. Not everyone agreed with me, however.

You can read last week's editorial by clicking HERE. You can also see what our readers had to say about it below:
 

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Dear Joe:

I saw your article below on the Hawaii “Super Ferry”, and I compliment and commend you for speaking out that way. The environmentalists and community activists are clearly “out of control” in this situation, and one can only hope that reason and common sense will allow for this ridiculous set back to be corrected – and soon!

Hope this finds all well with you. Please keep in touch.

Manny
Cap'n Manny & Associates; Int'l Trade & Maritime Consulting Services

MarEx Editor’s Remarks: Cap’n Manny was (and still is) an important part of the U.S. West Coast maritime community. He writes in from time to time. Thanks for weighing in, Manny. Here’s another reader opinion from the other side of the fence:
 

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Mr. Keefe -

I remember discussing the Hawaii SuperFerry with you last year. I have wondered all along who financed, built, delivered, and began operating this ferry while ignoring the requirement for an EIS? The requirement was there, and apparently it doesn't matter how good an idea it was if it was against State law.

Would we lament the shutdown of a rogue Inter-Island ferry service manned by foreigners on foreign hulls? We could grieve again for the farmers and FedEx...

There are rules and it seems like the owners of the SuperFerry chose to ignore them.

Paul Merrill
Bellingham, WA

MarEx Editor’s Remarks: After writing last week's editorial, I knew that this letter would come, but not necessarily who would write it. Captain Merrill is an old friend and an accomplished mariner. Nevertheless, I bring up and concede the very points he makes (in his letter) in my editorial. I also wonder and would very much like to know what kind of environmental review was conducted prior to allowing cruise vessels with 1,500 flushing toilets and a myriad of other environmental “issues” into Hawaiian waters. I’m guessing there wasn’t any. In reality, this is a political situation with very little to do with the environment. Tell you what: if anyone can come up with that EIS information obtained before allowing other ships that call here for any other reason, then I’ll eat my high pressure hat. We know who owns the Superferry; the real question to be answered is, who doesn’t want it here, and why? Follow the money. Another letter follows:
 

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Joe, that was an excellent article on the Hawaiian Superferry. I am in complete agreement, and once more appalled at the short sightedness of some of the members of the environmental community, who have stopped a project that would provide a vitally needed service to the people and the economy of the Hawaiian Islands. Is there no end to the obstructionist groups that seem to have more concerned for some endangered species than they are with their fellow human beings? That ferry is needed and some means must be found to get it operating once again. It is essential for the economy of the Islands.

Wes Starratt, PE

MarEx Editor’s Remarks: Mr. Starratt is a west coast-based writer and editor. He also writes in from time to time. I second his remarks. Good to hear from you, Wes. Here’s another:
 

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OUTSTANDING and insightful article from one has just come out to join the company and is now stranded high and dry.

MarEx Editor’s remarks: I honestly don’t know who wrote this one but it clearly comes from someone whose job has been eliminated in the wake of the Superferry ruling. There are hundreds more, no doubt, just like him. Here’s another:
 

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Joseph -

Thanks for today's terrific editorial.

Many of your words come from plans that have remained largely unchanged since I founded the company in 2001. The ships are designed specifically for Hawai`i and includes many features never included on a fast ferry such as reefer electric plugs for fresh food, higher vehicle decks to accommodate canoes on top of cars, and dimensions to (just) squeeze into Hawaii's dry docks.

It includes numerous environmental features such as the first North American ship with non-toxic bottom paint (Matson and other operators took notice and are now beginning to use it too), zero wastewater discharge, next-generation ultra-clean engines, etc. Hawai`i Superferry developed the world's first (and still leading) whale avoidance policy, and the State's draft EIS indicates that the ferry has "no significant impact" (aka a FONSI finding) to marine life, invasive species transport and other environmental concerns.

The recent events are an ironic way for Hawai`i to celebrate the 50th anniversary of statehood by eliminating an energy-efficient way of transportation using the catamaran technology invented by the Polynesians who discovered and populated Hawai`i 1,500 years ago. We all hope that Alakai and her sister will return to Hawai`i in the future once the government processes have wound their way through.

Best Regards

Tim Dick

MarEx Editor’s remarks: Not much to add to that one, is there? Here’s a thought: If the other operators are really just discovering the non-toxic bottom paint and are just starting to use it, maybe we need an EIS for the cargo trades, as well. I mean, there could be some impact on the environment, no? Nah, that would inconvenience others who have gotten a free pass to tread where the most environmentally sound marine platform of its size in America must wait for approval. Go figure. Also, I saw this in a west coast paper today (just for background): It was about six years ago that founder Timothy Dick's concept of a high-speed, vehicle- and passenger-carrying ferry traversing the waters of Hawaii's inhabited islands first started to attract the active opposition of environmentalists.

Here’s one more on this subject:
 

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Subject: Hawaii Ferry

This just proves that the Federal Appeals Court of San Francisco does not have a monopoly on stupid decisions that are not in the best interests of the people.

Fran Capitanio

MarEx Editor’s remarks: Amen. Here’s one more letter on a different subject. The writer is referring to or editorial of two weeks ago which referenced the end(?) of the COSCO BUSAN case.
 

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Read our editorial from the March 5th edition of this e-newsletter by clicking HERE. You can also see what our reader had to say about it below:

You need not worry about the Captain of the Cosco Busan; within 48 hours of the incident the entire crew was given immunity. The prosecutor had already chosen the guilty before the investigation was fully underway. Another side note; some crew spoke Mandarin while others only spoke Cantonese, but the pilot spoke neither. Who gave the command to take in lines?

We will continue to see similar treatment of Mariners until the IMO is willing to restrict trade to countries in violation of Mariners' rights. I would like to see trade with South Korea suspended until the Captain and Chief Mate of the Hebei Spirit are released. More food for thought; if 5 airplanes were hijacked how long do you think it would take the international community to respond?

Steven A. Palmer
Master Mariner since 1996
MM&P Offshore Member
and nephew of John Cota (for full disclosure)

MarEx Editor’s Remarks: The writer brings up some interesting points from an unusual perspective. His disclosure of his relationship to Captain Cota is appreciated.