Hawaii Superferry

Austal Wins Big Hawaii Contract

Hawaii Superferry signed a historic agreement with Austal USA that proposes bringing the world’s newest passenger-vehicle catamarans to Hawaiian waters for the development of a commercial high-speed interisland ferry service in Hawaii. Hawaii Superferry plans to use Austal USA-built, high-speed, roll-on/roll-off vessels to create “Hawaii’s Interisland Highway,” with state-of-the-art Austal USA catamarans carrying passengers, vehicles and freight between Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island, beginning in 2006. Under the agreement, Hawaii Superferry plans to purchase two 340-foot catamaran ferry vessels from Mobile, AL-based Austal USA for delivery during 2006-2008 under an exclusive, strategic relationship. The four-story, football-field-sized catamarans, specifically designed for Hawaiian waters, can comfortably transport 900 passengers and up to 280 vehicles, including large trucks and buses, from Honolulu to Maui and Kauai in 3 hours and from Honolulu to the Big Island in 4 hours, traveling at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour. “For many years, I have envisioned ‘a marine highway’ for our islands, so I am pleased with the progress that Hawaii Superferry has made in creating an interisland ferry system that will serve Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island,” said Senator Daniel K. Inouye, who has secured more than $25 million in federal funds for the development of ferry infrastructure

Coast Guard Aids Dispatches Cutter to Aid with Protesters

According to reports, the U.S. Coast Guard said today that it has dispatched one of its cutters to Nawiliwili Harbor, where protesters have blocked the arrival of the Hawaii Superferry at Kaua'i. A Coast Guard spokesman said the Coast Guard also has sent a 25-ft. inflatable boat to respond to protesters. The Hawaii Superferry's 350-ft. vessel the Alakai was approaching the harbor when it was turned away by the Coast Guard due to hundreds of protesters at the site.

Annand Named Chairman of PVA Subcommittee

Hornblower Marine Services (HMS) is pleased to announce that William Bill Annand, its Director of Marine Operations for Hawaii Superferry, has been appointed Chairman of the Passenger Vessel Association (PVA) High-Speed Subcommittee. Members of the PVA’s High-Speed Subcommittee include operators, designers, builders, equipment suppliers and regulators of high-speed craft. As Director of Marine Operations for Hawaii Superferry, Annand presides over the Alakai

Annand Named Director of Marine Operations for Superferry

Hornblower Marine Services announced the appointment of Bill Annand as Director of Marine Operations for Hawaii Superferry. Hornblower Marine Services, based in New Albany, Ind., is contracted to operate the long-awaited passenger ferry between Honolulu and the islands of Maui and Kauai. Passenger service is scheduled to begin in August 2007. Annand will initially manage approximately 100 crew members, including unlimited officers, and non-rated union and non0union shipboard staff

Hawaii Superferry Operations Debated

With less than a year until its first trip between islands, Hawaii Superferry has moved operations into high gear. According to the Honolulu Advertisers, while ferry officials were making preparations to move into their new 10,000-sq. ft. office space at Restaurant Row and start hiring what will eventually be about 300 employees, critics were equally busy making plans to delay the July 1, 2007, startup date of ferry operations

Austal -US JHSV Contract

Austal has won the contract to design and build the US Department of Defense’s next generation multi-use platform, the Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV), as part of a program potentially worth over US$1.6 billion. As Prime contractor, Austal will design and construct the first 103-metre JHSV, with options for 9 additional vessels expected to be exercised between FY09 and FY13. Similar to the Austal-built “WestPac Express” operated by the US Marines for the past seven years

Judge Approves Security Zone in Hawaii Harbor

Opponents of the Hawaii Superferry lost a round in court, according to an Associated Press report, when U.S. District Judge Helen Gillmor refused to block the U.S. Coast Guard from enforcing a security zone in Kauai’s Nawiliwili Harbor when the vessel resumes service to the port. The Coast Guard established the zone and set aside a designated protest area off Kalapaki Beach after a flotilla of protesters prevented the ferry from landing Aug. 27

HMS Global Maritime Extends Westpac Express Contract

HMS Global Maritime (HMSGM) announce the extension of the HSV WestPac Express’ charter with the U.S. Navy’s Military Sealift Command (MSC) and the Third Marine Expeditionary Force, beginning in February 2012. The contract can last up to an additional two years. The HSV WestPac Express has been operated by HMSGM for the past nine years as a high-speed transport vessel for military personnel and equipment over a 1,200 mile range in Asia

Five Minutes with Dave Growden, JHSV Program Manager, Austal USA

Please provide a brief professional history of yourself? I have more than 20 years of experience in all aspects of the planning and production of a wide variety of aluminum high speed vessels ranging in length from 26m to 107m. I have been employed by Austal since age 16 and completed a four year apprenticeship as a Shipwright before progressing into supervision and management of production staff and then program management

Austal Occupies New Panel Line Shop

Austal received its Certificate of Occupancy from the City of Mobile for the newest addition to the shipbuilder’s Mobile, Alabama facility. The Panel Line Shop is located on the north side of Assembly Bay 1 and opens up directly into the assembly bay to allow for ease of transporting the panels from the shop onto the production floor. The ground floor of the building, where the panels are assembled, is 200-ft. by 45 ft. wide totaling over 9,000 sf