High Speed Ferry Safety Task Force of Long Island Sound

www.fastferryinfo.org

Meeting of November 13, 2006

The HSFTF of LIS met at 1600 on November 13, 2006 at the U.S. Coast Guard HQ in New Haven, CT. Present were John Craine, Co-chairman, Fairfield County Commodores Assn.; Co-chairman Bob Brill, U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary; R. Michael Payton, CT DEP Boating Division; Sandra Pierog, U.S. Power Squadrons; Richard Sise, Cross Sound Ferry; LTJG Crystal Nutly, U.S. Coast Guard; and Sandy McDonald, Secretary, FCCA.

Operators Update. Dick Sise reported that Cross Sound Ferry did not have any major issues this season. Fuel costs have been up, and rider ship was down somewhat. There are parking issues in both New London and Orient Point. They will reduce their schedule in January to Friday-Sunday. In discussion, kayakers cannot be seen and have been cruising to Block Island as well crisscrossing the Sound. Some do not even carry lights at night. Bob Brill reported that his US Coast Guard Aux. Unit in Milford is teaching a Sea Kayaking Safely course. A brief descriptive of the class can be seen at http://a0142403.uscgaux.info/specialty_classes.htm  Doren Voeth, SeaConn, was out of town on business. There were no other operator reports.

Ferry Security. John Craine discussed and distributed the Rand report which “puts ferries on top of the list of emerging terrorist threats”. Traditional ferries are vulnerable to attack because they are slow moving with a large number of ready victims. Costs of increased ferry security are increasing.

Ferry Coalition. Both Messer’s Craine and McDonald have not attended recent meetings of this organization. There does not seem to be new activity to create additional high speed ferry service on the Sound. There maybe new regular ferry service between New Haven and Port Jefferson. The fact that ferry service is viable in many other parts of the world leads some to believe that it will eventually develop here on the Sound.

Task Force Membership. The treasury has approximately $2,000 so there will be no new dues at this time. The Task Force should stay in business in order to be ready if and when new ferry serviced on the Sound develops. It was noted that co-founder Dick Rutkowski has retired with Sandy Pierog taking his place representing the US Power Squadrons, and Bob Brill becoming co-chairman. We were pleased to welcome Sandy aboard and Bob to his new position.

2007 Meeting Schedule. The next meeting will be held May 21, 2007.

Respectfully submitted, Sandy McDonald, Secretary.