High Speed Ferry Safety Task Force of Long Island Sound

Minutes of Meeting, April 25, 2005

The HSFSTF met at 1600 at the U.S. Coast Guard HQ in New Haven, CT on April 25, 2005. Present were Co-chairman John Craine, FCCA; Bob Brill, USCG Auxiliary, Richard Sise, Cross Sound Ferry; Lt. Brenda White, USCG; Michael Griffin, Norwalk Harbor Master & CHMA, and Sandy McDonald, Secretary and FCCA.

Operators Report. Cross Sound Ferry’s new high speed ferry, Jessica W, operating in service from New London, CT to Block Island during the summer, and from Orient Pt. to New London during the winter. It is a wave piercing design similar to their current smaller Sea Jet; It cruises at 40 kts carrying 500-550 passengers. Mr. Sise described it’s operation and its safety features. It operates as an H-boat, over 100 gross tons. There does not appear to be any other Long Island Sound high speed ferry operation planned for the immediate future.

US Coast Guard Update. Lt. White reported that the new HS ferry, Chenega, has left Derecktors in Bridgeport for Alaska after qualification trials on the Sound.

Broadwater LNG. The proposed Broadwater LNG terminal for Long Island Sound was discussed in some depth. The Coast Guard has established a working group of stakeholders including representatives from ports, fishing, and recreational boaters (by invitation only). This group is called the Ports & Waterways Safety Assessment which will meet in early May for 2 days to discuss this project’s maritime issues, including recommending the safety and security zones surrounding the Floating Storage and Regasification Unit and the LNG carriers. A security assessment will then be made by the USCG Security Committee. Following these, this summer, will be public meetings by FERC on both sides of the Sound where public comments can be made.

Meeting Schedule. The next HSFSTF meeting will be Monday, October 17, 2005.

Respectfully submitted,

Sandy McDonald, Secretary