T&T: Nihoa (was Hull Speed 20% faster and more economical...)

[C. Marin Faure]

I had to add this as it's a fascinating list (to me anyway) of the
requirements to enter the Northwestern Hawaiian islands.  This chain
of islands is now called the  PapahD
naumokuD
kea Marine National
Monument   These requirements were established to protect what is now
the largest marine wildlife preserve in the world.  It covers 139,000
square miles, an area about the size of California.  Here are the
requirements---


Entry to the Monument is limited through a permit system, jointly
administered by state of Hawaii, NOAA, and FWS. Anyone who comes to
the islands must follow stringent procedures designed to prevent any
stray species from entering and disrupting the ecosystem. All clothes
must be bought new, and kept wrapped until before arrival. In fact,
all "soft" items (camera strap, blanket) must be bought new, and all
"hard" items (camera, binoculars) must be cleaned thoroughly. Then,
every item must be frozen for 48 hours. A new set of equipment must
be prepared for each island one is going to, to prevent inter-island
species introduction. However, French Frigate Shoals and Midway Atoll
are exempted from these rules, as they are deemed too altered by
humans already to worry about introducing new species.


____________________
C. Marin Faure
GB36-403 "La Perouse"
Bellingham, Washington