Commercial ferries paving way for joint high speed vessel.

• Author: Jean, Grace V.
• Position: TRANSPORTATION

* The Navy since 2001 has been leasing commercial high-speed ferries to test the concept of utilizing a fast ship for intra-theater lift. Sailors and marines who have operated aboard those vessels laud their maneuverability, capacity and speed.

For insight into how the forthcoming joint high speed vessel might be employed by the Marine Corps, one can look at how leathernecks in Third Marine Expeditionary Force are operating the leased High Speed Vessel WestPac Express, a commercial ferry built by Australian-based shipyard Austal Ltd.

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The vessel is composed of two decks. The cargo deck is designed to handle 531 tons. It has the ability to carry anything ranging from communication gear to Humvees. The deck opens directly to docking areas via a stern ramp where the equipment can be taken aboard and offloaded. The passenger deck has the ability to hold 900 personnel.

Fully loaded with troops and cargo, the HSV can travel at 33 knots anywhere in the Pacific. But its speed is limited in poor weather conditions, marines aboard the ship said in response to questions emailed from National Defense.

WestPac Express has participated in numerous exercises throughout the year to include Cobra Gold, Balikatan and an amphibious landing exercise. The vessel also has been employed during disaster relief and humanitarian assistance missions in the Pacific.

"The HSV was instrumental to providing aid to Thailand following a tsunami in 2005, and the Philippines following Typhoon Megi in 2010. Without the ability to quickly move personnel, gear and supplies, our mission effectiveness within the Asian-Pacific region would not be what it is," wrote a marine deployed aboard the ship.

One of the unique aspects of WestPac is its shallow draft, which is only 15.75 feet. This means the vessel is more maneuverable when compared to more traditional craft, marines said. If the water is at least 16.75 feet deep, the vessel will be able to continue moving. "This ability is extremely beneficial since many of the ports that we utilize during training and operations are in shallow waters," said the marine.

Having more high-speed vessels would be a force multiplier, enabling more training at a cheaper cost than strategic airlift, crew members said. "It would provide additional flexibility to the Marine Expeditionary Force and its commanders in supporting real-world contingences," an officer said.

The JHSV program office also is drawing insights from the...