INTER-ISLAND FERRY AUTHORITY

ex-Hawaai Superferry to be Re-named 'USNS Guam'

One of two sister ships — either the Alakai or the Huakai — will be named after the island of Guam. These high-speed ferries were built by Austal, later acquired by the Maritime Administration and sold to the Navy. Both ferries will be used to move military troops and equipment from Okinawa to training areas around the Asia-Pacific region. Each ferry can carry 288 cars and 866 passengers. The two catamaran, aluminium hulled, high-speed ferries were originally built by the private company Hawaii Superferry, but were acquired by the Maritime Administration after being withdraw from their intended inter-island commercial service and were sold to the Navy for $35 million. Guam Delegate Madeleine Bordallo said: “The U.S. Navy has been integral to the history of Guam and remains an important presence in our community. I thank (Navy Secretary Ray Mabus) for his decision to rename this military transport high-speed ferry in honor of the Navy’s long-standing relationship with our island.”    

Ferry Service Resumes

WSDOT Ferries Division announced that ferry service will resume on the Point Defiance/Tahlequah route starting with the first scheduled sailing on Thursday, March 6. The 34-car Hiyu will provide service on the route until the route’s regular vessel, the 48-car Rhododendron, is ready to return to service later this week. The Hiyu has been in the shipyard for maintenance and repair since December and is scheduled to begin service on the San Juan Islands inter-island route on Monday

WETA Awarded Blue & Gold Fleet Five-Year Contract

Water Emergency Transportation Authority Awards Ferry Operating Contract to Blue & Gold Fleet. At its October 6 Board of Directors meeting, the San Francisco Bay Area Water Emergency Transportation Authority (WETA) awarded Blue & Gold Fleet ("B&GF") a five-year contract for the operation of WETA's San Francisco Bay Ferry services. San Francisco Bay Ferry, which recently assumed operation of the Alameda/Oakland and Harbor Bay Ferries

Port Authority Of NY and NJ to Build a Permanent Ferry Terminal

The Port Authority will build a new permanent ferry terminal in Battery Park City in response to an increase in ferry service in the New York-New Jersey region. The Board of Commissioners approved a contract with Spearin, Preston and Burrows of Staten Island, N.Y., to build a larger, more comfortable ferry terminal that will offer additional seating, an expanded waiting area, restrooms and concessions. The terminal will replace a temporary facility used by more than 7

Senesco Christens Double-Hulled Liquid Fuel Barge

The Southeastern New England Shipbuilding Corporation (SENESCO) has christened another 80,000-barrel, double-hulled liquid fuel barge. After a ceremony last week at SENESCO’s Quonset Point, RI headquarters, the Leo was ready to set sail for its Gulf Coast destination. The Leo was built for the Hawaiian Inter Island Towing company, which will lease the vessel to Sirrius Maritime of Seattle, Wash. Sirrius will then use the barge to carry fuel oil and other liquid cargo in the Gulf Coast.

Trinidad and Tobago Order Ferry Fleet

In its third significant commercial order for the year, Austal will design and construct four 134.5 ft high speed passenger catamaran ferries for the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. Designed to carry 405 passengers at a speed of approximately 37 knots, the aluminium vessels are intended to help reduce road congestion in Trinidad and Tobago by establishing a water taxi service between San Fernando and Port of Spain in southwest Trinidad.

WESMAR Thrusters Important Equipment For Alaska Ferry

For years the citizens of Prince of Wales Island in southeast Alaska were only able to commute to the Island of Ketchikan on a weekly basis, leaving them frustrated and isolated. In January of 2002 the 150 passenger car/ferry Prince of Wales entered service providing a much awaited daily transportation link between the two islands, and providing the 5,000 residents of the remote southeast Alaska region with a critical link and regular, reliable service—something they had long been without.

Islander Crew, Passengers Pull Man from Cold Water

The crew and passengers aboard the ferry Islander rescued Johnny Goodwin, of Southhold, N.Y., within minutes of falling into the cold waters of Gardiners Bay from a work barge on Dec. 19. A combination of skillful seamanship, adherence to Coast Guard safety regulations blended to save Goodwin's life. The Islander and three other ferries from the North Ferry Co. connect Shelter Island with Greenport, on Long Island

Custom Steel Boats Builds New Ferry

Custom Steel Boats, Inc. of Merritt, N.C. announced the signing of a contract with the Chatham Area Transit Authority located in Savannah, Gia. The contract is for the construction of a 67-ft S-Class 150 passenger ferry. The project is scheduled for completion in September 2011 and will be delivered to Savannah for use in transporting passengers to and from the International Trade and Convention Center located on Hutchinson Island.

State Urged to Replace Old Ferries

Maritime stakeholders in Mombasa have warned over stalled ferries at Likoni, Mombasa. They urged the government to check the condition of the vessels that dock at the Likoni channel to prevent a disaster. Stakeholders warned of the danger of collision between stalled ferries and ships, which use the Mombasa Port. Kenya Maritime Authority (KMA) said it would be difficult for a loaded oil tanker to break or drop anchor to avoid hitting a stalled ferry