Army wants high-speed vessel at Pearl Harbor - Army News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Army Times

Army wants high-speed vessel at Pearl Harbor

HONOLULU — The Army said Monday it is considering basing at Pearl Harbor one or more high-speed vessels similar to the one used by the troubled and now-defunct Hawaii Superferry interisland ferry service.

It is seeking public input for an environmental impact statement on the proposal.

The ships are designed to “support the rapid transport of military troops and equipment in the U.S. and abroad,” an Army statement said.

Virginia, San Diego, the Seattle area and Guam also are under consideration for the ships. The Army didn’t say how many vessels were being suggested for each location, only that it is proposing to have up to three ships at a spot and up to 12 overall.

Not every proposed location will host the vessels, and other sites could still be considered, the Army said, adding it would decide after the environmental study.

Hawaii Superferry used a similar ship during its troubled, short-lived effort to operate the state’s first interisland car and passenger service.

The ships, built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., can reach speeds of up to 35 to 45 knots. The Army’s version has a helicopter flight deck and weapons mounts.

The Army said the ships would have 31-person crews and accommodate up to 350 soldiers.

Hawaii Superferry began regularly scheduled high-speed interisland service in December 2007. But it stopped operating and declared bankruptcy in early 2009 after the state Supreme Court ruled an environmental impact statement needed to be conducted for it to operate.

The company had hoped to stay in business while the state completed the environmental study, but the court said the study had to be completed first.