HONOLULU -- After releasing a statement late Tuesday afternoon saying the Superferry could not be guaranteed safe transit into Nawiliwili Harbor -- where dozens of protesters took to the water on surf boards, kayaks and canoes -- Coast Guard officials were bombarded with questions and criticism over its handling of the protesters.

Coast Guard crews in four boats were out-maneuvered by the 60 or so protesters, who were demonstrating against the ferry, which will take passengers between islands.

Coast Guard crews were able to arrest only one protester, a surfer who was pulled out of the water, board and all. Other Coast Guard members tried to grab surfers, but lost their grip as other surfers splashed the Coast Guard crews in their boats.

Some Superferry passengers were upset that the Coast Guard could not stop the protesters in the water.

"I thought it was a shame that the Coast Guard wasn't as prepared as they could have been," said Daniel Scott, of Kaneohe, who was traveling with his family of seven on the failed ferry trip.

A Coast Guard representative said the crews chose to use minimal force because there were no lives in danger. He said the Coast Guard did not want to risk injury of the protesters or its own crews by using physical force.

Meanwhile, hundreds of protesters on shore shouted at police as they took people into custody.

Some surfers and swimmers paddled along the shoreline as officers followed them from shore, trying to arrest them when they came in.

Kauai police took seven men and four juveniles into custody and booked them for misdemeanors and petty misdemeanors, including obstructing a government operation, criminal trespassing and disorderly conduct. If convicted, the protesters face up to one year in prison and fines up to $2,000.

Some Superferry customers said they wondered how effectively the Coast Guard can protect harbors and ships against terrorists if it couldn't stop a group of protesters in the ocean.

The Coast Guard said its crews on Kaua'i had weapons and ammunition that they would have used if the situation had required deadly force. But in this case, the Coast Guard called it a peaceful demonstration.