Posted at 4:51 p.m., Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Coast Guard voices safety concerns
Advertiser Staff
The U.S. Coast Guard said in a statement today that Capt. Vince Atkins, U.S. Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Honolulu, had voiced safety concerns about Hawaii Superferry operations to Kaua'i today.State officials temporarily suspended Superferry's operations into and out of Nawiliwili Harbor on Kaua'i based on recommendations and safety concerns from Atkins, the statement said.
"Based on our current assessment of the situation in Nawiliwili, we made a recommendation to the state that it would not have been a safe transit into the harbor," Atkins said. "The U.S. Coast Guard is committed to safety and security and enforces all applicable laws in the maritime environment. In this instance, the risk level was too high for the vessel, its passengers and for the protesters."
Atkins urged protesters to be mindful of their safety and their obligation to obey the law.
"These surfers, swimmers, and other protesters in the water place themselves and the ferry in danger when they disregard the law," Atkins said. "Coast Guard use of force requires the minimum force necessary to compel compliance along a continuum of force. We have used the minimum force necessary to ensure safety to this point. Safety and security is a shared responsibility, and I don't want anyone to underestimate the risks they undertake when they challenge the law."
