MARAD to deploy second former Hawaii Superferry to Haiti

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said yesterday that MARAD has started preparing the former Hawaii Superferry Alakai for relief duty in Haiti. The ship will be crewed with U.S. civilian mariners.

The Alakai will join the other former superferry, Huakai. and five other MARAD controlled vessels in the Haiti relief effort.

"This ship will help our relief workers on the ground by allowing quick movements of people in and out of Haiti from various staging points," said Secretary LaHood "It is another example of why our country's merchant marine is so important."