Mother Nature Defeats Superferry Again

The Superferry unexpectedly canceled reservations and intends to go into dry dock after having to turn back in high seas after cars broke loose with ensuing damage. You may recall that in 2008, the Superferry suffered cracks and damage and unexpectedly went into dry dock in a similar fashion.

This repeated inability to stand up to conditions of the channels between Maui and 'Oahu serves to emphasize criticisms that the ship chosen was not suited to the ocean conditions, reasonable passenger estimates nor fuel efficiency. A smaller, V-hulled ship which traveled more slowly would have been more physically and financially viable.

All this would have come out in an EIS and did come out in comments prior to the initial launch.

The idea that its sister ship can stand up to the even more harsh conditions of the Alenuihaha channel next to the Big Island is not reasonable.

From Star Bulletin

The Hawaii Superferry said this afternoon that it will dry dock the Alakai
at Honolulu Harbor Feb. 2-Feb. 17 for annual maintenance and certification
required by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Reservations have been blocked out during this period and are open beginning
Feb. 18. Customers who have made reservations during the dry dock period are
being contacted and offered the option of receiving a full refund or booking
for a later date, the company said.

³We appreciate the patience and understanding of our passengers while our
vessel is undergoing its routine drydock requirement, Superferry Director
of Marine Operations John Keever said in a statement.