Navy wants superferries

NORFOLK, Va. - The Navy is working with the U.S. Maritime Administration to permit the transfer of two high-speed superferries, the Alakai and the Huakai, into naval service, according to a Navy spokeswoman. The Maritime Administration took over the two Hawaiian superferries, both built by Austal USA in Mobile, Ala., in July 2009 after a bankruptcy judge ruled that the owner could abandon them to lenders. The administration, which guaranteed the loans, moved them to Norfolk and eventually bought the vessels. Huakai was used in the military's relief efforts after the Haiti earthquake in January 2010. The Navy first expressed interest in the ships when the Maritime Administration took them in 2009. Built to move cars and people among the Hawaiian Islands, the ferries can cruise at 35 knots and carry 836 passengers and 282 cars. The Maritime Administration said Friday that a deal had yet to be reached. (Source: Norfolk Virginian-Pilot, 11/21/11)