However, on August 10 the Harbor Police showed up at President McEwan’s residence to deliver a letter from the Deputy Director informing Friends of Falls of Clyde that the plan was not accepted and included a notice to remove the ship in 72 hours or it will be impounded. The reason for not accepting the plan was based on the same items that were sent in the email. We immediately responded via email pointing out that the reason for the denial was not relevant to the plan itself, since the towing information would only apply when the ship was taken to drydock or removed from the harbor, plus pointing out the pieces that were in the plan.
We are looking into an appeal process related to being impounded. The reason for the impoundment is that we are berthed illegally. We are berthed illegally only because the Harbors Division terminated our revocable permit. By accepting the plan, they would need to reinstate the permit or issue a new one for the period of the plan. How is it fair for the agency to terminate the permit for one alleged and unproven reason and then not accept the plan based on irrelevant requirements?
We are looking for some balanced, positive media coverage to alert the community to what is happening and to find some authority who can see the logic in our plan and that it meets the requirements set by Harbors, even though acceptance was never defined.
Right now we need our challenge with Harbors Division broadcast far and wide and comments sent to the Department of Transportation, Harbors Division website hidot.hawaii.gov/harbors.