Young Bros Explains Their Operation

Young Brothers had a Viewpoint in the Maui News that cleared up a lot of misconceptions.

Cost
While pointing out that Young Brothers ships only the vehicle (not the driver and vehicle) they said,

published -not promotional - fares show that YB sometimes costs less to move a vehicle, considering Superferry's driver requirement. YB's rate is, however, currently higher for passenger vehicles that exceed 17 feet, but YB is seeking Public Utilities Commission approval to expand YB's "automobile" definition so that vehicles up to 20 feet get a lower rate

Time
YB transit time is usually one day. According to their statement:

YB provides next-day service. We load our barges during the day, sail overnight, and arrive the next morning. Depending on the cargo, you can drop-off at YB one day and pick up at another YB port the next day.

Refigeration
YB supplies refrigerated containers and plugs for customer refregeration units. They say:

For years, YB has assisted local farmers with refrigeration services and extremely reasonable rates. A customer can ship 400 pounds of produce for about $30. YB has had a 30 percent discount for local agricultural products since 1995, and we have similar discount rates for farming supplies like feed and fertilizer.

Customers drop off perishable cargo in refrigerated containers - Young Brothers' equipment or the shipper's - on pallets or in boxes, which YB stevedores load into refrigerated containers. Either way, all cargo is "plugged in" while in YB's care.

EIS
YB facilities have gone through many EIS's. They say:

All improvements at YB facilities must comply with the state's environmental review process. Any new use of state property or funds "triggers" an environmental review.

YB occupies harbor property owned by the state Department of Transportation. Because YB has operated for decades, and because DOT periodically conducts harbor master plans and environmental reviews, YB's use of harbor facilities have consistently been covered by such DOT reviews. Any YB facility improvements not covered under a master plan would trigger an environmental review.

What YB did not say in their Viewpoint concerned those of us who campaigned to have the Superferry do an EIS. YB stayed out of the whole controversy, even when they were accused of involvement and did not contribute a penny to Maui Tomorrow, The Sierra Club or Kahului Harbor Coalition.

You can read their whole statement in the Maui News, Clearing air on Young Bros. fees, services, environmental processr And you can read their FAQ on the YB website.