High Speed Ferry Safety Task Force of Long Island Sound

Meeting of May 22, 2006

The HSFTF met at 1600 on May 22, 2006 at the U.S. Coast Guard HQ in New Haven, CT. Present were John Craine, Chairman, Fairfield County Commodores Assn.; Bob Brill, USCG Auxiliary; Dale Strand, US Multihull; Doren Voeth, SeaConn LLC; R. Michael Payton, CT-DEP Boating Div.; Charles C. Beck, CT-DOT, Bureau of Aviation & Ports; Lt. Brenda White, U.S. Coast Guard; Capt. Stephan Kosinski, U.S. Fast Packet Line, Inc.; and Sandy McDonald, Secretary, FCCA. The Task Force welcomed Chuck Beck, Transportation Maritime Manager in the CT Dept of Transportation.

Plans and Operations. Doren Voeth reported that SeaConn’s project to build three K boat HS ferries is on going with no changes to the published launch date on their web site. Dale Strand reported that US Multihull has shelved plans for LIS service. Bridgeport-New Jersey freight service is still not finalized but planning is on going. Cost effectiveness, in relation to other options is a question. A subsidy may be necessary. Service could start as early as Nov. ’06. Quonset Pt., R. I. is another port under consideration. It was reported that HS ferry service from Manhattan to Yonkers will start. It is being subsidized by a $4.2m grant. The award for operator went to New York Water Taxi.

U.S. Coast Guard Update. Lt. White reported the merger of the Operations Centers of former Group Moriches with former Group/Marine Safety Office Long Island Sound, now known as Sector Long Island Sound.  The two Operations Centers formed to merge a unified Command Center in late April.  Sector Field Office Moriches still maintains a presence on the South Shore of Long Island but serves as a logistical support base for the 5 Coast Guard Stations and 1 Aids to Navigation Team on Long Island. The Command Center is located at Sector Long Island Sound (SLIS) in New Haven, CT.  The Prevention Dept. is overseeing the data collection required by the TSA for issuance of the Transportation Workers' Identification Card for long -term contractors and employees of MTSA regulated facilities.  The USCG was expected to send their  comments on the Broadwater/LNG proposal to FERC in mid-June, and the FERC EIS is due out in mid summer.  LT White also detailed the Regulated Navigation Area which requires all vessels greater than 300GT have approval from the Captain of the Port prior to entering the Long Island Sound Zone.  All such vessels are vetted by SLIS prior to entry approval.

LIS Waterborne Transportation Plan. A general discussion on the future of high speed ferry operation on LIS took place. There was general disappointment in the newly released transportation plan for LIS as not being realistic.

Task Force Financing and Other Business. Chairman Craine asked for a new dues contribution to offset costs of keeping the TF web site in operation. Co-chair Dick Rutkowski, who represented the US Power Squadrons, has been replaced by Sandra Pierog. Thanks to Dick for his excellent contribution to the Task Force since its inception. Welcome aboard Sandra. Chairman Craine has asked Bob Brill, US Coast Guard Aux. to replace Dick as Co-Chairman of the Task Force.

Next meeting. The next meeting of the HSFTF of LIS is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 23, 2006.

Respectfully submitted, Sandy McDonald, Secretary