tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post4411435131437868530..comments2023-10-17T04:51:08.765-10:00Comments on KauaiEclectic: Musings: Making a MessJoan Conrowhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00172330100788007499noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-16831068593701481172008-02-08T15:31:00.000-10:002008-02-08T15:31:00.000-10:00Rudders are vulnerable, but that's precisely why t...Rudders are vulnerable, but that's precisely why they usually don't "stick down" lower than the hull. Often, the base of the keel extends below the rudder to hold the bottom of the rudder post. But this is all pure speculation because no one has published a view of the ferry's hull (and propulsion and control mechanisms are usually closely guarded secrets of the shipbuilders).<BR/><BR/>Yes, the ferry hull may have control surfaces that stick out from the hull, and yes, they could be damaged by a whale strike. But these surfaces are subject to high stresses under normal operation, and it's just as likely they were poorly designed (wouldn't be the first time in the history of engineering). As to what promted the inspection and repairs, I thought I read somewhere it caused a leak--which is a totally plausible story.<BR/><BR/>I'm part of the EIS-first crowd, but the way some ferry opponents are latching onto this rudder subplot with some amateurish speculation is likely to discredit their previous good work and the larger message.<BR/><BR/>But the point about the public being informed or not about a whale strike is a good way to bring the discussion back to the larger issue.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-18607425798570006462008-02-08T12:50:00.000-10:002008-02-08T12:50:00.000-10:00"Know before you blow," Seastate Barf-O-Meter Inde..."Know before you blow," Seastate Barf-O-Meter Index (version 2.1):<BR/><BR/>http://hisuperferry.blogspot.com<BR/>/2008/02/seastate-barf-o-meter-<BR/>index-v20.html<BR/><BR/>Aloha, BradAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7875069982976812251.post-81854826332712483582008-02-08T12:15:00.000-10:002008-02-08T12:15:00.000-10:00mahalo joan for sharing the concerns of many regar...mahalo joan for sharing the concerns of many regarding the inevitability of a ferry whale collision and the motives for coverupAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com