Thursday, February 28, 2008

Superferry No Match for Hawaiian Kahuna

First the Kahului barge broke loose the night after Judge Cardoza lifted the injunction. Then more storms, more damage, more barge breaking loose and many canceled service days.

Then damage to the rudder housing.

This report has now been confirmed. See KMGB News

From sources/eyewitnesses close to the HSF dry dock:

When HSF was being positioned to enter the floating dry dock facility it went aground on a sandbar. A tug was used to move it off the sandbar, during the move the tug pushed a 20’ x 20’ dent into the side of the HSF. HSF encountered a few more bumps in trying to position itself. When they finally got the vessel in the floating dry dock, they went about putting blocking into place. The goal is the set the vessel perfectly on these blocks. The key to the blocks is the must be set directly under each frame of the vessel. Failure to do so results in pressure on unsupported plate and massive damage. This procedure is critical for any dry dock and the utmost care is taken. Hsf entered the floating dry dock, blocks were in place and lines were fasten from above to keep the vessel in place. The dry dock was raised (water level lowered). However, attendants failed to slacken the lines. Pressure mounted, the lines snapped, causing one side of the facility to break off and fall onto HSF, causing major damage. It gets worse. When the lines snapped the vessel shifted and the blocking missed the frames, causing damage the entire length of both hulls. The hull is now structurally damaged, dented and serpentine. The USCG has ordered massive work to be done.

As of this writing negotiations are under way with USCG to formulate a plan of repair. The damage is so extensive, no one is sure when or if it will ever get out of dry dock.

One long-time worker at an adjacent boat yard stated: “I don’t think that vessel will ever be put back into service”.
This is what happens when you come to Hawai'i and do business in bad faith. The Hawaiian gods don't much like greedy businesspeople killing their aumakua (the whales).

I sure wouldn't ride this cursed ship!

8 comments:

MauiBrad said...

Wow, holy mackeral. This sounds worse than I would have thought. Wow. It sounds like Kapu to me.

Aloha, Brad

Karen Chun said...

This story has now been sourced by someone who was also in dry dock. I'd like for at least one other person to email me with verification before we list this story as confirmed. (Your name will be kept confidential)

Anonymous said...

Endless Bummer. I've got to get one of those T-Shirts quick. Pretty soon nobody will even remember this steaming pile of bad luck.

Anonymous said...

Definitely good to confirm before spreading this too far.

Anonymous said...

Aloha Anonymous,

I Still have a few t-shirts left but am reluctant to order more due to the recent events.

Call me and I will tell you what sizes and colors I have left.

Scott
652-7113

Anonymous said...

The remaining T-shirts should be sent to the HSF team and employees! It's their "Endless Bummer"...Send one XXL to Lingle.

Anonymous said...

remindz me of the simpson charector, bart's friend. he goes 'HA HA' li'dat!

Anonymous said...

I knew the catamaran design was a bad idea. Other similar Austal built ships are breakin down too!