The Coast Guard so far has spent $602,000 on security in connection with Hawaii Superferry, with more than half that amount paying for "surge operations" conducted during the company's protest-marred launch in 2007.

During those critical periods, 641 Coast Guard personnel were involved in security zone enforcement activities, including 231 shipped in from the Mainland and Guam to augment the 410 personnel from Hawai'i-based units, according to Coast Guard records.

Although costly, the operations provided valuable lessons in the need for flexibility in deploying assets, and the importance of partnerships and frequent and timely communication with stakeholders, said Capt. Barry Compagnoni, the Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Honolulu, and operational commander for Coast Guard assets on O'ahu, Maui and Kaua'i.

He cited the early establishment of a unified command between federal, state and county authorities in anticipation of protests and other security issues.

"This cooperation ensures that all sides of an issue have been considered and we, as government agencies, act in consideration of the public's best interests," he said in an e-mail to The Advertiser.

The Coast Guard also said it went to lengths to inform the public of Superferry security zone boundaries and the consequences of violating security zone rules.

Of the $602,000 spent by the Coast Guard on Hawaii Superferry security from Aug. 31, 2007, through the end of 2008, $310,500 was for activities from Aug. 26 — the first day of ferry service — through December 2007, according to records.

From Aug. 26 through the end of September 2007, the agency spent $106,500 on security at Kaua'i's Nawiliwili Harbor, where the most fierce protests occurred.

Coast Guard spokesman Lt. John Titchen said normally there are a combined 35 Coast Guard personnel assigned to the 87-foot patrol boat Kittiwake and Station Kaua'i, which has two boats, a 33-footer and a 25-footer.

During the Kaua'i security operation, 10 additional 25-foot boats were transported to the island at a cost of $60,000, and 110 boat crew members and support personnel were brought over at a cost of $46,500, including hotels and food.

Hawaii Superferry suspended service to Kaua'i following the protests.

The security surge at Maui's Kahului Harbor took place from mid-November through December 2007 at a cost of $204,000. The 22 active-duty personnel and three reservists normally assigned to Station Maui and the Marine Safety Detachment Maui were augmented by 205 personnel from O'ahu.

The biggest expenditures were personnel, with $135,500 spent on housing and food, and logistics, with $68,500 spent on transporting small boats, trucks and trailers.

The remaining costs through 2008 were attributed to "normal operational expenses for random security zone enforcement on Maui and enforcement and personnel support on O'ahu," Titchen said.

The tally does not include budgeted expenses for operational costs for various units, including C-130 aircraft, HH-65 Dolphin helicopters, 225-foot buoy tenders, 110- and 87-foot patrol boats, 47-foot motor lifeboats, utility boats and smaller boats, according to Titchen. Those costs were already figured into the 14th Coast Guard District's annual operating budget and no additional money was needed, he said.

The concentration of Coast Guard assets for security zone support for Hawaii Superferry meant other missions were put aside, including marine debris recovery trips to the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, he said. However, those missions were rescheduled and already have been made up or will be completed in 2009, Titchen said.