Young Brothers’ Installation of ShoreTension Mooring System to Improve Service for Lāna‘i
Mydard Espiritu, Ned Wulff, Ben Dejos, Stefan de Graaf and Macky Morita (hiding behind the ShoreTension Mooring System)
On Monday, April 29, Young Brothers held a blessing ceremony for its newly installed $1.5 million ShoreTension mooring system at Kaumālapa‘u Harbor. This state-of-the-art technology, used for the first time in the United States, aims to keep the barge steady against the dock during inclement weather and ocean conditions, enhancing the reliability and safety of cargo operations.
Adverse sea conditions in December and late January through early February caused significant disruptions to the barge schedule. For three consecutive weeks in late January through early February, the barge was unable to dock on its regular Wednesday schedule. This pattern of disruption was also seen in December when poor sea conditions prevented the barge from arriving on schedule for two weeks in a row. Despite these challenges, the team prioritized finding safe opportunities to deliver cargo, often resulting in delayed but eventual arrivals.
ShoreTension Training and Team
The ShoreTension system, a cutting-edge mooring technology, was introduced and demonstrated by trainers Stefan de Graaf and Ned Wulff, both experienced longshoremen from the Netherlands. This installation at the Kaumālapa‘u marks the first use of ShoreTension technology in the United States.
Over two weeks, de Graaf and Wulff trained local Young Brothers crew members Ben Dejos, Macky Morita and Mydard Espiritu. They are now the first in the nation trained on this innovative system. The training involved hands-on sessions where the crew practiced installing and operating the ShoreTension units, simulating various weather conditions to ensure readiness for real-world applications.
“From the first day, we knew they were good. They weren’t just doing things — they knew the thought behind how it works. That’s really good,” said de Graaf.
Ben, Macky and Mydard quickly learned the intricacies of the ShoreTension system, demonstrating their ability to manage the mooring lines effectively and ensure the barge’s stability during inclement weather and sea conditions.
Purpose and Functionality of ShoreTension
The primary purpose of the ShoreTension mooring system is to maintain tension on the mooring lines that hold a barge against the dock, especially during adverse conditions such as large swells, harbor surges and high winds. The system utilizes four 100-ton bollards and ShoreTension units to manage this tension. These units store energy from the barge’s movements and automatically adjust the tension on the lines to ensure the barge remains securely docked, thus preventing delays and potential damage.
History of Young Brothers on Lāna‘i
Young Brothers began regular barge services to Lāna‘i on November 18, 1991, stepping in after Isleways Ltd. discontinued their service following Dole’s phase-out of pineapple production. They now provide weekly barge service, transporting various cargo, including food, vehicles and equipment.
Understanding the Ocean and Weather Conditions
According to Young Brothers, Kaumālapa‘u is the most exposed port in the Hawaiian Islands, directly facing the open ocean. This exposure makes it particularly susceptible to adverse weather conditions, especially during the winter months when large swells from North Pacific storms impact the region. These swells, generated by storms near the Aleutian Islands, travel vast distances across the ocean, gaining significant energy and power. By the time they reach Lāna‘i, these swells manifest as long, low waves with immense underlying force.
Unlike ports with extensive breakwaters, such as Hilo, which has a large barrier providing protection from the elements, Kaumālapa‘u’s port faces immediate offshore weather conditions. Hilo’s breakwater ensures a smoother transition from open ocean to harbor, offering a buffer that mitigates the impact of incoming swells. In contrast, Kaumālapa‘u’s small harbor opening directly faces the westerly and southwesterly swells, allowing these powerful waves to enter the port almost unimpeded. This lack of natural or artificial barriers means that the port can quickly become dangerous for cargo operations, with the potential for strong surges that can disrupt the docking process.
Additionally, the unique setup at Kaumālapa‘u requires that the tug remains in operation while docked, a practice not seen at other Hawai‘i ports. This continuous operation is necessary to manage the vessel’s stability and respond immediately to sudden changes in swell conditions. From the land, these swell conditions might not appear significant, making it difficult to perceive the potential danger. Observers might not notice the subtle but powerful movements that can drastically affect docking operations.
First-hand Experiences and Challenges
Megan Rycraft, the director of marine operations for Young Brothers, provided detailed insights into the practical challenges posed by these severe weather conditions. One of the most significant hurdles is the safe transfer of personnel onto the barge amidst heaving swells. On a typical day, this involves a crew member jumping from the tug onto the barge using small inset ladders known as “pigeon holes.” This maneuver, even under calm conditions, requires precise timing and coordination due to the constant motion of the vessels.
The necessity for a crew member to transfer from the tug to the barge is critical for several reasons. Once on the barge, the crew member’s primary role is to assist in securing the barge to the dock. This involves attaching mooring lines and ensuring that the barge is properly aligned and stable against the dock. The crew member also provides crucial guidance to the tug’s captain, communicating distances and positions as the barge approaches the pier. This guidance includes calling out distances to the dock and giving engine commands to ensure precise movements, which are essential for a safe and efficient docking process.
During rough weather, the difficulty and danger of this transfer increase exponentially. The tug and barge are subject to significant heaving motions, which can cause the vessels to rise and fall unpredictably. This makes it nearly impossible to ensure a safe transfer without risking the crew’s safety. Rycraft shared that the decision to attempt such transfers is not taken lightly. If the conditions are deemed too dangerous, operations are halted to avoid any accidents.
Rycraft also shared her personal experiences, noting how even on seemingly calm days, the swell can cause sudden and violent movements of the barge. She recounted an incident where the barge, despite appearing stable, began to heave violently, snapping mooring lines and causing significant disruption. This unpredictability points to the need for advanced mooring solutions like the ShoreTension system.
The ShoreTension system mitigates these risks by automatically adjusting the tension on the mooring lines to counteract the barge’s movements. This technology not only enhances the safety of personnel but also ensures the stability of the barge during cargo operations, thereby reducing the likelihood of operational delays and disruptions.
To ensure the highest level of safety and efficiency, Young Brothers assigns the same experienced captains to the Lāna‘i route. These captains are familiar with the unique challenges of navigating into Kaumālapa‘u, leveraging their expertise to make informed decisions about weather conditions and docking procedures. This consistency helps maintain a high standard of operational safety and reliability for the Lāna‘i community.
Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Young Brothers’ dedication to enhancing its services for Lāna‘i is further evidenced by their plans to introduce a new $10 million barge, Kalohi, in winter 2024. This advanced vessel will offer increased deck space, cargo capacity and flexibility in handling changing tidal conditions, ensuring a more efficient and reliable service for the island community.