Hawaii Superferry Operating Conditions
By Gov. Linda Lingle's Administration
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Specific conditions Hawaii Superferry will be required to follow include: Post two persons to act as whale lookouts and request that National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) certified fisheries observers, currently residing in Hawai‘i, such as graduates and members of Alu Like’s Marine Stewardship Program, be on board Hawai‘i Superferry’s ships to monitor marine life and warn the ship’s crew in time to prevent potential collisions. Avoid operating within the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary or in waters less than 100 fathoms from January 1 to April 30, except in instances that are in the interest of the safety or comfort of passengers. Conduct agricultural screenings and inspections of passengers and all vehicles, including visual inspections of engines, interiors, undercarriages, wheel wells, trunks, and beds of pickup trucks. Vehicles that are excessively muddy or that have prohibited items will be turned away, or the prohibited items taken away. Notify passengers in advance that all vehicles, camping, hiking, hunting, diving, snorkeling, fishing and boating equipment should be thoroughly washed and free of debris. Ban living plants and propagative plant parts (e.g., roots and root stock) that are not accompanied by a Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (DOA) Certificate of Inspection. Require passengers to declare all plants, fruits and seeds, and permit inspections of such items by the Department of Agriculture. Consider establishing a special transport rate for agricultural products. Prohibit the transport of logs, cut trees, and tree limbs. Ban the transport of rocks, soil, sand, dirt, or dead coral, except for soil or dirt in potted plants inspected and cleared for transport by the Department of Agriculture. Ban the transport of opihi, lobster, or other crustaceans, and fishing nets of all kinds. Prohibit the transport of iwi or human bones. Provide passengers with information concerning restrictions on the use of cultural and natural resources, including hunting and fishing rules and camping permit requirements. Consider adding a cultural briefing on Hawai‘i’s cultural and natural resources as part of its on board education program. Comply with all state water pollution laws, rules and regulations, and refrain from discharging wastewater into the ocean. Conduct complete traffic studies and implement a vehicle movement and management plan for each port of operation as directed by the Department of Transportation. The traffic studies will be used to adjust vessel arrival and departure schedules as necessary to lessen the impact of arriving cars on local traffic. Employ trained staff to manage traffic entering and exiting each port terminal facility and post security guards or off-duty police officers to direct traffic and control signals to minimize traffic problems. Cooperate with any risk assessment conducted by or authorized by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Agriculture.
