WAILUKU, Maui — A Hawaii Superferry captain yesterday said the company's 350-foot catamaran proved its maneuverability last month when surfers, paddlers and other protesters jumped into the waters of Nawiliwili Harbor to keep the Alakai from docking.

"It performed flawlessly," said Capt. Adam Parsons, who was at the helm on the ship's two visits to Kaua'i on Aug. 26 and 27. "I'm probably the only person in the state who has backed out of Nawiliwili Harbor in a large vessel."

Parsons was a witness yesterday in a Maui Circuit Court hearing, now in its second week, to determine whether Hawaii Superferry can resume service to Maui while the state conducts an environmental assessment of publicly funded projects built to accommodate the new interisland service at Kahului Harbor. His testimony was meant to address criticism that the high-speed ferry poses a threat to the endangered humpback whales that winter in Hawai'i.

The ferry, powered by water jets, is expected to operate at 37 knots, or about 43 mph. By comparison, cruise ships, container vessels and freighters operate in the 20-knot range.

NOAA Fisheries recommends vessel speeds in the vicinity of 13 knots to reduce the risk of whale collisions and serious injury to the animals. The federal agency and others have expressed concern the company's whale-avoidance plan doesn't substantially reduce the risk to whales.

Parsons pointed out the Alakai's speed works in its favor, allowing maneuverability unmatched by larger ships.

At 37 knots, the shallow-draft catamaran can come to a stop in a distance of 1,050 feet, or about 40 seconds, he said, while a cruise ship sailing at only 13 knots would need 1,500 feet.

Plus, he said, the Alakai can do something larger ships can't: stop and turn at the same time. Parsons said the ferry's stopping distance drops to 600 to 700 feet if it is also maneuvering away from a potential collision.

'LARGER SAFETY MARGIN'

Describing the catamaran's turning ability, Parsons said the Alakai can complete a circle at full speed in four-tenths of a mile, while it would take three miles for a cruise ship to make the same maneuver.

The water-jet propulsion system also allows the captain to instantly initiate a reverse thrust to stop the ferry.

"We have a larger safety margin than any vessel out there. We can turn faster and stop significantly faster, 50 percent faster, than any ship plying the same routes," he said.

Parsons also explained the difference in the wakes generated by the ferry and a cruise ship. The shorter ferry has a shallower draft, and its water jets create a short burst of surface turbulence that quickly dissipates, he said.

Although it may appear the ferry is kicking up a large wake as it accelerates out of port, the turbulence dissipates long before reaching the beach, a breakwater or outrigger canoes that share the harbor, according to Parsons.

A larger deep-draft vessel displaces a solid block of water as it cuts through the ocean, creating a long swell that travels much farther, he said.

Parsons' remarks were in response to testimony last week from Iokepa Nae'ole, a fisherman, surfer, diver and paddler who said he is worried for the safety of paddlers, kayakers, paddle boarders and other ocean users who head out from Kahului Harbor to a two-mile buoy north of the harbor mouth, along the ferry route, or come into the harbor on long-distance runs from Maliko Gulch.

Parsons also remarked on his experience as a boat captain in Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park, where humpback whales spend their summers feeding. He said that during the two summers he worked there, in 2005 and 2006, he was not aware of any whale collisions or close calls. Vessel speeds in the park can range from 13 to 28 knots, he said, depending on boat traffic and whale density.

He said whale blows, tale and pectoral fin slapping and other behavior make the creatures easy to spot from several miles away.

"Once you see one you assume there are others around so you maneuver away from that so you don't get near the pod," he said.

BLIND SPOT

On cross-examination by attorney Isaac Hall, Parsons acknowledged the sight line from the ferry's bridge straight ahead to the ocean surface leaves a 300-foot-long blind spot. Hall is representing Maui Tomorrow, the Sierra Club and the Kahului Harbor Coalition, which won a Hawai'i Supreme Court decision ordering the state to perform an environmental assessment of the harbor projects.

The Hawaii Superferry's whale-avoidance policy includes whale-season routes that run outside the boundaries of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary and avoiding other whale-dense waters of 100 fathoms (600 feet) or less when possible.

The ferry also will have two dedicated whale lookouts in addition to the bridge crew, and specialized binoculars and other equipment to help spot whales. Parsons said the vessel will attempt to maintain a distance from whales of about 500 yards; federal rules call for keeping a distance of at least 100 yards.

Parsons acknowledged the ferry may have to travel through sanctuary waters when rough ocean conditions make it dangerous to sail north of Moloka'i. In that case, the vessel would move at no more than 25 knots.

'CRIMINAL' RISKS

Also testifying yesterday was Maui County Councilwoman Michelle Anderson, who said an environmental review of the ferry-related harbor projects would give county officials more time to prepare for a different type of visitor the ferry would bring.

Anderson introduced a resolution passed by the council in May 2005 urging the state to conduct a review. Councils on Kaua'i and the Big Island passed similar measures.

The South Maui councilwoman said the ferry would make it easier for "a criminal element" from O'ahu to import trouble, challenging local police already stretched thin.

"We don't want O'ahu's urban problems brought to Maui, not to mention drug dealers and criminals of all sorts. ... To invite more problems without any type of assessment to handle it is just irresponsible."

She said the 2 million or so visitors who fly to Maui annually are different from passengers who would bring their vehicles with them on the ferry because "tourists don't come here to pick our 'opihi ... but there are plenty of people on O'ahu who still value 'opihi ... and our secret ulua places."

Under questioning by Hawaii Superferry attorney Lisa Munger, Anderson refused to acknowledge that Maui's resources belong to the entire state, saying that would depend on one's view of "home rule."

The hearing resumes at 10 a.m. today.

Reach Christie Wilson at cwilson@honoluluadvertiser.com.