HAWAII OCEAN SAFETY TEAM

 ADVISORY BOARD MEETING

 

January 13, 2005

 

Kim Beasley                                                              LCDR Ann DeYoung

John Regan                                                               Tom Heberle

Bob Heidrich                                                             Chris Woolaway

Susan Harper                                                            Brad Rimell

Robin Bond                                                                Jeff Conners

Randy Swindell                                                          Troy Brown                                                                

Captain Terry Rice (Ret.)                                         Kimo Corstorphine

LCDR Rick Raksnis                                                 Bill Mossman

Kevin Kinerney                                                          Ed McCain

Charlie Toguchi                                                         Don Habeger

Tom Dow                                                                   Domenico Tringale

Cees Deelstra                                                           Patrick Shaw

LTJG Quincey Adams                                              Barry Kim

CDR Patrick Gerrity

           

 

INTRODUCTIONS

 

A number of guests were present so Robin asked that everyone introduce themselves.

 

AGENDA ITEM #1    Call to Order

 

            Robin called the meeting to order.    A quorum was present.

 

AGENDA ITEM #2      Approval of the Minutes of last meeting.

 

            After a brief discussion the minutes were approved by consensus.

 

AGENDA ITEM #3    Treasurer’s Report

 

Chris Woolaway reported that we have a total of $1,338.90.  The Propeller Club donated $250.   Robin thanked everyone that worked so hard on the Christmas Party.   

 

AGENDA ITEM #4    HOST Christmas Party Critique

 

Robin asked if anyone had any comments regarding the Christmas Party.   Chris Woolaway suggested that we poll some of the similar groups to make sure that they are not having their parties on the same night.    Currently we are scheduled for December 8^th, 2005 .

 

AGENDA ITEM #5    Next Membership Meeting Topics   ( February 17, 2005 )

 

            •           Card Tracking Program   -  Kim

•           Harbor Congestion panel discussion  -  Kim will arrange to get a panel together to identify talking points for the panel’s presentation.   Anyone wanting to be on the panel please let Kim know.    Jeff Connors, Kevin Kinerney, Tom Heberle, Terry Rice and Ed McCain volunteered.

 

•           Security Zone presentation  -  USCG Quincy Adams

 

AGENDA ITEM #6    SOP 3-97 – Tugboat Assistance in Neighbor Island Ports

           

Robin introduced Charles Toguchi who briefed the attendees on a meeting held by State Harbors on a number of issues.    Topics included Port Security and Tug Boat assistance.    To follow up on the tugboat issue Mr. Cees Deelstra of Holland America Lines pointed out that the current language in SOP 3-97 does not take into account a number changes that have occurred in the cruise industry over the last several years.   With the departure of the Independence and Constitution we are now seeing a new breed of ship entering the Hawaii market.   New ships are larger, perhaps even larger than the current tugboats are capable of assisting.  (Too small)   Also new cruise ships have multiple thrusters that can do the same job as a small tug. He also pointed out that certain smaller tugs can even be a hindrance in maneuvering large ships.

 

Mr. Ed McCain of HT&B expressed his doubts that any asset that can assist in close to shore maneuvering could be considered a hindrance.     They do recognize that the tug currently stationed in Hilo is small.    They have a business plan that is being put into place that will provide a larger “tractor” drive tug for Hilo .      These tugs are on location to provide harbor assistance.     In Hawaii we often live on last minute delivery schedules.    One day of disruption can have critical impacts on deliveries of dry goods and oil.      If the tugs are not supported they are likely to be transferred elsewhere.

 

Tom Heberle of the Hawaii Pilots Association pointed out that even though there are new technologies available they are complicated technologies that can have problems.    The question is what level of risk the community is willing to take.   One problem can shut down the only port.

 

Mr. Deelstra pointed out that they operate in many areas including the Houston Shipping Channel and many smaller ports that don’t require tug assistance.   It doesn’t seem to make sense that Hawaii should have such a requirement especially when the asset that is available is really inadequate for the job.

 

Robin stopped the discussion at this point to explain how HOST operates.    Essentially, we now have a formal request to look at this issue.   The next step is to form a subcommittee to look at the SOP to see if changes may be required.   Troy Brown volunteered to head a committee to review the SOP.

 

Updates may include a look at language that talks about more than one tug.  Also it should include a look at the requirements for Honolulu Harbor which are now not in the SOP.    These are things the subcommittee needs to look at.       

Terry Rice pointed out that there are really three topics that are closely related.   One is Kim’s panel on Harbor Congestion.    The second is the Tug Assist SOP and the third is the Cruise Ship anchoring SOP.     When reviewing these topics we will find that they are  closely related.

 

AGENDA ITEM #7    Security Zone Presentation  -  LTJG Quincey Adams (USCG)

 

LCDR  Ann DeYoung (USCG) pointed out that the Coast Guard is not prepared to make a presentation today but should be ready to make a presentation at the next Board Meeting.    Captain Rice asked whether more work needs to be completed on how we are going to notify the average boater on changes to the Security Zones enforcement.    Some work has been done on this on the Area Maritime Security Committee.  The USCG is very willing to work on this subject with others so that we are not reinventing the wheel.

 

AGENDA ITEM #8    Pending HOST Safety Issues