Austal Catamaran To Deliver Haiti Relief

Vessel to provide high speed support to devastated region The US Maritime Administration (MARAD) has announced that Austal-designed and built 113 metre high speed catamaran “Huakai” is being sent to Haiti to assist with relief efforts. Completed in 2009 for Hawaii Superferry, the vessel can transport people, vehicles and other cargo at speeds of up to 40 knots. The catamaran’s usefulness in the humanitarian effort is also greatly enhanced by its shallow draft and large loading ramp. The 20 metre stern quarter, bi-fold ramp enables the ship to be loaded and unloaded without relying on shore-side facilities such as port cranes, which are not in use following the earthquake. While no details have been released regarding the intended use of “Huakai”, the ship may serve as a link between Haiti and Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba or Miami. This would enable frequent, high speed transportation of relief supplies into Haiti and facilitate transfer of personnel to and from the country. Depending on the length of the trip, the catamaran can carry nearly 800 tonnes per voyage. Currently based in Virginia, the vessel is one of five MARAD controlled ships being mobilised for Haiti relief and will be crewed by Hornblower Marine Services personnel. “Sending these ships will help those on the front line of this effort to save as many lives in Haiti as possible,” US Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said. ”These ships and skilled crews are ideally suited to assist in Haiti by providing unique capabilities.” With Port au Prince’s docks and cranes destroyed or severely damaged, response officials reportedly felt it was quicker to call vessels that can temporarily take their place. “Huakai’s” hydraulically operated aluminium ramp has a clear width of 4.5 metres and is designed for trucks weighing up to 42 tonnes. The involvement of “Huakai” in Haitian relief efforts is the latest demonstration of large high speed, shallow draft aluminium catamarans assisting with humanitarian support. Austal’s 101 metre “WestPac Express” has operated as a high speed theatre support vessel with the US Marines for the past nine years, and provided important humanitarian support during the 2004 Asian Tsunami. In late 2008, Austal was contracted by the US Department of Defense to build up to ten 103 metre Joint High Speed Vessels (JHSV). Similar in design to “WestPac Express” and “Huakai” the JHSVs will be used by the US Army and US Navy to assist with humanitarian relief operations and other activities requiring rapid intra-theatre deployment/transportation of personnel, equipment and supplies, supporting military logistics and sustainment. The Austal JHSV will be equipped with a ramp to enable the use of austere piers and quay walls, common in developing countries, while the vessel’s shallow draft (under 15 feet) will further enhance port access. Construction of the first JHSV “Fortitude” is currently underway at Austal’s US facilities.