August - September 2001

Salutes

News Briefs

Hawaii Commercial Harbor Construction Update

Scientists Help Vessel Operators to Steer Clear of Whales

Progress Report on U.S. Lines New Builds

Soundings

 

 

 

Salutes

After 40 years in the West Coast shipping industry, including more than 20 years with Matson Navigation Company, Raymond J. Donohue, Matson senior vice president and chief financial officer, retired at the end of June. Succeeding Donohue in Matson's top financial post is Matthew J. Cox. Cox most recently was executive vice president and chief operating officer of Distribution Dynamics, Inc. He has 15 years of experience in the transportation industry, 12 of which were spent at American President Lines, Ltd.

Also at Matson, Josephine Kaneshiro has joined Matson Logistics Solutions in Honolulu as a senior account executive for the company's new air freight service. Her primary responsibility will be to develop and support Matson's air freight customer base. Kaneshiro has more than 30 years of experience as an account executive in the air freight transportation industry.

Julia M. Morgan has joined the Law Office of Bryan Y.Y. Ho. Morgan, formerly an associate with Carlsmith Ball's admiralty group, began practicing admiralty law on the Mississippi River in St. Louis, Missouri. She joins Bryan Y.Y. Ho and Donald E. Fisher, specializing in all aspects of admiralty and maritime law.

State DOT-Harbors Administrator Thomas Fujikawa retires from the department on August 15. He first joined the agency in 1964 and was appointed administrator in 1995. Glenn Okimoto, DOT deputy director since 1994, has been named acting chief. In addition to his new responsibilities, Okimoto oversees DOT's Administration Division and has program-wide responsibilities for the Airports, Highways and Harbors divisions.

 

 

 

 

News Briefs

CSX Lines named carrier of the year

CSX Lines was named "Jones Act Trade" Carrier of the Year by Wal-Mart Stores, the world's largest retailer.
Selection criteria for the award included information technology innovations, on-time pick up and delivery performance, proactive customer service and communications, competitive pricing, equipment and vessel capacity, and ease of doing business. CSX Lines' Web portal capabilities and e-commerce strategy were highlighted as key components of the award.

Matson Services sells harbor tugs to HTB

Matson Navigation Company sold the assets of its subsidiary, Matson Services Company, Inc., to Hawaiian Tug & Barge on July 19. The primary components of the sale are the company's two tugs, Joe Sevier and Maoi, which provide harbor assistance at Kahului and Hilo harbors, respectively.

Matson Services was established in 1969 to improve docking services for Matson vessels at Neighbor Island ports. Since that time, Neighbor Island port operations have developed significantly. "Matson's entry into the tug business over 30 years ago was designed specifically to fill a need for better harbor assistance services for the Neighbor Islands," said Bal Dreyfus, Matson vice president, area manager, Hawaii and Guam. "Today, the tug business is no longer a strategic fit for Matson. HTB is well suited to acquire these assets."

Glenn Hong, president of HTB said, "The company will be stationing a state-of-the-art tractor tug at Nawiliwili Harbor by year-end. With the acquisition of these two tugs from Matson Services, HTB will have tugs stationed on all major islands in Hawaii."

Summer "reunion" for maritime academy students

The U.S. Coast Guard and the Mayor's Maritime Advisory Committee, at the suggestion of Councilmember Rene Mansho, sponsored the first maritime academies summer reunion on July 18, bringing together Merchant Marine Academy midshipmen, U.S. Coast Guard Academy cadets and members of the Hawaii maritime community at the Coast Guard's Club 14 on Sand Island.

Cadets and midshipmen had an opportunity to share their interests and questions about training and interning opportunities with maritime business people while collecting business cards. Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, American Hawaii Cruises, CSX Lines, Hawaii Pilots Association, Hawaiian Tug & Barge, Hawaii Stevedores and McCabe Hamilton Renny made presentations about career and employment opportunities in Hawaii.

According to Councilmember Mansho, maritime employers have committed to continuing this reunion event to "encourage our youth to stay in school, graduate with a degree, and return home to work in Hawaii."

A winter reunion is planned for December. Cadets, midshipmen and businesses interested in participating may call Rene Mansho at (808)753-2220 or email her at rmansho@aloha.com.

 

NOAA to Update Hawaii Region Chart and Pubs

by Capt. Ed Enos

The Office of Coast Survey, a branch of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), is poised to launch a project that will update charts and publications affecting the major Hawaiian Islands. Commander Gerry Wheaton, the West Coast regional manager for the Office of Coast Survey, is leading this effort from his office in Monterey Bay, California.
Commander Wheaton is scheduled to give a brief presentation at the August 9th general membership meeting of HOST, at 1400 at Club 14, USCG Base, and Sand Island. The Office of Coast Survey will contract the services of a local representative for this project, who will be the liaison between local users of charts and pubs here in Hawaii and Cmdr. Wheaton's office in Monterey.
All mariners in Hawaii are being encouraged to provide any information they may have to update charts and publications that specifically apply to the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and the Big Island. Submitted information may include any additions, deletions, or other corrections that should be applied to nautical charts and the US Coast Pilot.
The Office of Coast Survey wants to hear from all users including commercial, recreational and government service groups. Information from shore based recreational and professional associations, US military and service organizations, city and county departments, yacht clubs, and State of Hawaii agencies will be accepted. Individual mariners also are encouraged to submit information that will support this project.
Submitted information should be sent to:

Coast Survey Project
PO Box 1746, Kailua, HI 96734.
Or faxed to: (808) 262-0804
Email to: ginienos@hawaii.rr.com

Please include your name or company/department name, and a phone number, fax number, or email address so that you can be contacted to respond to any questions they may have on your submitted information. Verification may be required by NOAA/OCS if the information provided results in a significant correction.

Santa Maria Shipping Plans Hawaii Container Service

Santa Maria Ship Specs
Overall length: 137.70m
(approx. 452 feet)
Gross tons: 8,500
Capacity: 355 45-foot containers
Speed: 18 knots
Five-day transit from Mainland
Shipboard cranes

A new carrier plans to launch a West Coast-Hawaii container service within the next two years, adding a new competitor to a market dominated by CSX Lines and Matson Navigation Company.

California-based Santa Maria Shipping LLC announced at a July press conference that it has signed a contract with Bender Shipbuilding and Repair Co. (Mobile, Ala.) to build two state-of-the-art container ships to provide direct weekly service from the West Coast to Oahu and Maui. This is the first order for a U.S.-built container ship in a decade, and the vessels could be in service within 18 months, according to company President Stas Margaronis. The cost of the ships was not disclosed, but the company said that they would be built at "cost competitive pricing" using innovative technology from Bender and European vendors.

"We are committed to providing Hawaii shippers the best service at competitive prices," Margaronis said. The company will provide direct service to Kalaeloa/Barbers Point Harbor and Kahului, Maui, from a Los Angeles area port still to be determined.

The building contract is contingent on securing financing through the federal government's Title XI Maritime Guarantee Loan Subsidy program, which provides long-term financing at favorable terms for up to 87.5% of the building cost. Santa Maria was expected to apply for the Title XI loan in August.

Designed by a team of maritime specialists from seven countries, the two 8,500 GT container ships each will be capable of carrying 355

45-foot containers, including 30 refrigerated containers. They will be automated and feature medium-speed diesel engines that are fuel-efficient. Hydrodynamic hulls will further reduce fuel consumption.
Santa Maria will be the first carrier to provide direct container service to Kalaeloa/Barbers Point Harbor, which primarily handles bulk cargo. While the new vessels will be equipped with deck cranes, Santa Maria plans to install a shore-side crane at Kalaeloa/Barbers Point Harbor to support its container-handling operations.

The company predicts that container service will have an impact on economic development in the Kapolei area while reducing traffic congestion between Honolulu and West Oahu, since container cargo destined for West Oahu warehouses currently must be trucked from Honolulu Harbor.

"Maui gives us a second market - a niche market," Margaronis said.

Since Santa Maria's ships are not as big as those of its competitors, Margaronis predicts his company will be able to capture 5 to 6 percent of the market. The company says it can save a customer shipping one weekly westbound 40-foot container about $40,000 a year.

Matson spokesperson Jeff Hull told the Honolulu Star-Bulletin, "These are small ships, about half the size of ours, and Santa Maria's one trip a week should not cut much into Matson's four a week." He cited Matson's well-established customer service, intermodal service and online shipment monitoring as some of the company's advantages.

Brian Taylor, CSX Lines' vice president and general manager, Hawaii/Guam, said his company welcomes the challenge of a new competitor and will "obviously compete vigorously." However, he questioned the value of adding more capacity to the Hawaii trade.

"We're already in a market that is over capacity," Taylor said. "Volumes are not as strong as in the past, and there are more vessels today than there is cargo to carry."

While both CSX and Matson increased their Hawaii service capacity last year (Matson added two vessels to its Hawaii fleet, bringing it to eight; CSX replaced two vessels with larger ones and added a fortnightly service from Southern California), the two companies recently signed a contract for Matson to carry CSX' Honolulu-bound freight from Los Angeles on the off weeks that CSX doesn't sail from Long Beach. Taylor said that putting Matson and CSX cargo on one vessel will better utilize the extra capacity.

Making room for the newcomer

Kalaeloa/Barbers Point Harbor has substantial underutilized yard space to accommodate Santa Maria's container operations. The company and the Department of Transportation are looking at Pier 5 for the new terminal facilities, according to Harbor Agent Allen Sandry. He says current users like Tesoro, who bring in barges almost every day to load fuel from their refinery, will have to adjust schedules. Though Pier 6 is big enough to handle a container ship, existing bulk cargo handling equipment at the pier would make it difficult for container operations.

At Kahului Harbor, Harbors District Manager Scott Cunningham says Santa Maria most likely will share space at Pier 1 with cruise ships, Matson's crane barges and bulk carriers. He says the department is still waiting for further information about the new vessels' draft. If it is less than about 23 feet, Pier 2 might be another option for off-loading.

Cunningham says the main effort will be how to divide up the yard space between Matson, CSX and Young Brothers. There is multi-use space available, he says, including a large auto yard that is available most of the time for container backup space.

 

 

 

Hawaii Commercial Harbor Construction Update

$100 milion slated for maintenance and improvements

The state Department of Transportation, Harbors Division plans to spend over $100 million on improvements to the Islands' commercial harbor system in the next few years. This construction update summarizes the major projects that are currently under construction orin the design phase.

OAHU

Honolulu Harbor:

PIER 51C TO 53 CONTAINER YARD STRENGTHENING
Matson Terminals commenced in January with a $31.5 million terminal improvement project converting the terminal from a straddle carrier operation to a partial wheeled operation.

The Harbors Division will institute phase 2 to follow up on Matson's work. The work done by DOT Harbors will involve strengthening the pavement on approximately 30 acres in the top pick areas. Additional work will involve replacing light poles, waterlines and fire hydrants for approximately 54 acres of the container yard. The project also includes pavement striping and utility adjustments.

Status: Design phase
Cost: $31,000,000
Estimated completion: October 2003

FERRY TERMINAL AT PIER 19
This project involves the demolition of a portion of the Pier 19 shed and restrooms and the construction of a new ferry terminal for passengers within the footprint of the existing pier shed.

The terminal, which will be primarily used as a ferry terminal but can also be used as a cruise ship terminal or multiuse facility, is capable of future expansion as additional space requirements arise. The terminal will include areas for ticketing, office space, restrooms, passenger waiting areas and baggage handling areas, as well as utility rooms and will cover approximately 16,800 square feet. Utilities will be installed including water, drainage, fire, electricity, and telephone systems. Other site improvements include parking lot striping and regulatory signage.

Status: Under construction
Cost estimate: $4,100,000.
Estimated completion: March 2002

PIER 2 CRUISE SHIP TERMINAL
This project involves construction of a 52,000 square foot full service cruise ship terminal and multiuse facility to accommodate increased cruise ship demand. It will be capable of accommodating one large (over 3,500 passengers) or two smaller cruise ships. Removable partitions will divide the terminal into two smaller terminals when two ships visit. Work includes construction of an interior terminal within the existing pier shed, a second level concourse with gangways, ticket counters, office spaces, customs area, and restrooms. New utilities will be installed including sewer drainage, water, fire, electricity, and telephone systems. Also, included in the design are baggage areas, storage spaces, roadway parking lots and staging area improvements.

Status: Design phase
Cost: $20,000,000
Estimated completion: October 2003

DOMESTIC COMMERCIAL FISHING VILLAGE
Demolition and construction of much of the pier and shore side improvements have been completed. The remaining work involves the construction of a multi-user building and smaller buildings.

Status: Under construction
Cost: $5,600,000
Estimated completion: September 2001.

DEMOLITION OF STORAGE TANKS NEAR PIER 19
Demolition of three bulk storage tanks used for molasses and aqua-ammonia. Work also includes the removal of pump house and piping systems.
Status: In progress

Cost: $400,000
Estimated completion: June 2002

Kalaeloa/Barbers Point Harbor:

PIER 7 CONSTRUCTION
Construction of a new 800-foot pier and apron, with utilities and small backup yard.
Status: Under construction
Cost: $16,500,000
Estimated completion: May 2002

MAUI

Kahului Harbor:
PIER 3 CONTAINER YARD
This project involves reconstruction of portions of the Pier 3 container yard and the relocation of an existing waterline. The project also includes the replacement of the Second Street bridge over the county drainage ditch, which provides access to the newly acquired 8.2 acre yard on the Puunene side of the harbor. This will permit movement of containers and container-handling equipment into the newly acquired area, which were restricted by the load capacity of the existing bridge.
Status: Design phase
Cost: $3,000,000
Estimated completion: March 2003

PIER 1C EXTENSION
The pier will be extended approximately 300 feet to facilitate the operation of cargo handling equipment and to accommodate multiple cruise ships.
Status: Under construction
Cost: $8,600,000
Estimated completion: December 2002

BIG ISLAND
HILO HARBOR:
PIER 1 SHED MODIFICATIONS
The existing shed roof and siding will be replaced. As it involves asbestos-bearing materials, containment and disposal processes will be of primary concern. This project also involves removal of lead-based paint and other materials. There will also be some minimal safety and compliance improvements within the shed to enhance cargo and passenger safety.
Status: Design phase
Cost: $3,500,000
Estimated completion: June 2003

PIER 3 BREASTING DOLPHINS AND CATWALKS
Pier 3 will be extended with breasting dolphins and connecting catwalks to enable the berthing of ships up to 850 feet in length. This will enable Hilo Harbor to accommodate two large cruise ships concurrently. Additional bollards, lighting and fendering systems are also included, as is a harbor modeling study to determine impacts to the turning basin.
Status: Design phase
Cost: $3,000,000
Estimated completion: March 2003

PAVE FORMER MOLASSES TANK AREA
Approximately 6.4 acres will be graded and paved using an advanced type of stone matrix asphalt being used for the first time by DOT Harbors.
Status: Under construction
Cost: $1,200,000
Estimated completion: October 2001

DEMOLITION OF SUGAR
STORAGE FACILITIES
The existing sugar silos together with appurtenances and the sugar transfer conveyor system will be demolished and removed.
Status: In progress
Cost: $2,000,000
Estimated completion: June 2002

KAUAI
NAWILIWILI HARBOR:
PIER 2 EXTENSION
The Pier 2 berthing area will be extended by 600 feet through the use of pier extensions, breasting/mooring dolphins, catwalks and shore side bollards. These will be installed at Piers 1 and 2 to accommodate additional cruise ship vessel berthing and demolition of an existing concrete lay berth. The berth area will be dredged to accommodate cruise ship drafts.
This project also includes the expansion of the Pier 2 comfort station, expansion of phone banks for Piers 1 and 2, and associated site work including paving and utility improvements such as water, drainage, electrical, and lighting.
Status: Design phase
Cost: $5,000,000
Estimated completion: April 2003

ALL HARBORS:

INSTALLATION OF BULL RAILS
Bull rails will be installed around all piers statewide in accordance with an agreement made between the Department of Transportation-Harbors Division and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of the federal government. The project involves the installation of fixed and movable bull rails at Honolulu, Kaunakakai, Hilo, Kawaihae, Nawiliwili, and Port Allen harbors. Some work has been completed under the harbor maintenance budget.
Status: Design phase
Cost: $1,600,000
Estimated completion: October 2002

 

 

 

 

 

Scientists Help Vessel Operators to
Steer Clear of Whales

by Liza Simon

A metaphor for the fury of nature in Herman Melville's Moby Dick, a collision with a whale - known in seafaring language as a whale strike - has got to be on any mariner's short list of primal fears. "It would be catastrophic for the whale, the boat and the people on board," says Reg White, vice president of operations at Paradise Cruise, Ltd. Steering clear of humpback whale pods in Hawaiian waters was a task that fell to White as a skipper for Sea-Flight, a hydrofoil ferry service that operated between the islands during the
early 1970s.

Back then, concern over whale strikes was enough to prompt community help. According to White, volunteers from the Maui-based Cetacean Society manned hillside observation posts, relaying information to ships out at sea on the whereabouts of whales via VHF radio. The jerry-rigged warning system was hardly failsafe, White recalls. He tells a story about a near-miss he once experienced: Acting on instinct alone, he made a hard and fast turn only to see two humpbacks breach in what would have been his vessel's deadly path had he not made the quick move.

Thirty years later, White is glad to see that something more sophisticated may be in the works to help navigators avoid whale strikes in Hawaiian waters and elsewhere. White is a member of the advisory council of the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary, which recently met to discuss ways in which science can pitch in and reduce the potential for unwanted collisions.

Suggestions that came out of an informal brainstorming session included sonar detection, satellite tracking of individual whales and the use of an acoustic signal to deter whales from congregating in a vessel's path. Sanctuary Advisory Council members include marine scientists, conservationists, marine science educators, marine tour operators, shipping company representatives and government officials - all of whom share a stake in protecting the humpback habitat in Hawaiian waters.

Seeking solutions

"The issue of whale strikes is one area where applied research can be used to solve a very practical problem and come up with answers that might be helpful," said Dr. Paul Nachtigall, a University of Hawaii marine mammal scientist and the chairperson of the research committee for the Sanctuary Advisory Council.

Nachtigall noted that many of the approaches suggested by council members are already under study. Some are also being developed with the support of the military or maritime industry sectors, where the problem of whale strikes is viewed as requiring some hightech attention.

While the incidence of whale strikes remains rare, research on whales has fueled concern that even an occasional boat collision could adversely impact the survival of an entire species.

Hawaii whale researcher Joe Mobley said much concern centers on the Northern right whale. Only about 300 such whales remain in the mid-Atlantic. The loss of one animal could seriously impair the species' chances for long-term survival, Mobley noted. Because the Navy continues to conduct operations within the species' Atlantic habitat, Mobley says military officials are currently working on developing new whale-avoidance technology. Mobley said one proposal under consideration would involve the use of Doppler Radar, which could be used to detect whales from a distance of four to five kilometers, enabling vessels enough time to slow down or change course to avoid a collision.

Whale-strike risk grows with rising humpback population

Many see an urgent need for such technology in Hawaiian waters where steadily increasing numbers of humpback whales raise the statistical probability of whale-strikes. Scientists believe that the humpback population in Hawaii is growing at an annual rate of approximately seven percent - a trend that is expected to continue, barring any cataclysmic event affecting humpbacks or their habitat.

Solution-seeking to the whale strike problem in Hawaii is also being spurred by the possibility that high-speed ferries may soon begin regular operations in isle waters.

The state of Hawaii recently supported an 18-month demonstration ferry project between Honolulu Harbor and Barbers Point on Oahu. Plans for other commercial ferry services are reportedly in the works for Maui and the Big Island. The aim is to alleviate road traffic woes by making better use of island waterways, though many familiar with the natural residents of those same waterways are urging that the potential for whale strikes be taken seriously.

Eric Schiff of Pacific Marine Supply, the company contracted by the state to run the trial ferry service, agrees that a close encounter with one of Hawaii's charismatic marine mammals could sink a business' bottom line. "We need to be proactive in lowering the probability of hitting whales. Hawaii is a very Ôgreen state' where conservationist sentiment runs high. If we can develop a system (for whale detection and avoidance), it would be an outstanding feature and a good business asset," Schiff said.

Along with operating one ferry during morning and afternoon rush hour periods, Pacific Marine Supply also commissioned Marc Lammers, a marine researcher at the Hawaii Insititute of Marine Biology, to examine the interaction of vessels and marine animals along the planned service route. Lammers' approach was to conduct 29 surveys of the area between January and June of 2000 in order to determine the patterns of distribution not only of whales but also of spinner dolphins. The waters in the area are well known as both a humpback and dolphin hangout. During the whales' winter breeding season, spouting and breaching whales enliven the horizon, while spinner dolphins stage their captivating aerial displays. Although the anecdotes are plentiful, there's been insufficient data to help those intent on avoiding a whale strike in the vicinity.

Lammers summarized his findings at a recent maritime conference in Honolulu. Surprisingly, Lammers found in his study that dolphins are inclined to give rush-hour travelers a break. "The animals forage at night. So they rest by day with the peak of restful activity occurring between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m."
During this period, Lammers found they knit into tight formations and often dive deep below the surface - perhaps in a defense mechanism against predators, he reasons. "When they rest, they turn off their sonar and navigate visually. By balling into a tight group and swimming close to the bottom they reduce their chances of an encounter with a predator."

By contrast, Lammers discovered that humpbacks are typically very partial to shallow depths, whether they're at rest or engaged in activity. In particular, the animals seem to congregate around the shallow banks of Barbers Point, waters where plenty of vessels are likely to be found. Lammers also noted that the colossal creatures swim parallel to the shoreline, crossing channel entrances, where vessel traffic is heavy.
While avid human fans of whales have posited theories about the animal's exceptional mental capabilities, Lammers cautions that we should recognize the risk the humpback behavior pattern poses. "We can't just assume that they will make way for us, because we are going fast and they seem to be in our path," he said.
To reduce the chances of running into a whale, Lammers recommends that ferries stay away from the Barbers Point bank and transit through shallow areas with extreme caution at less than full throttle. "As the human population increases and waters are used more for daily transportation needs, we are likely to see more and more encroachment into the natural habitat. It's not necessarily a situation that can't be managed
but we need to operate on accurate information so research is very, very important," Lammers noted.

Shared concern

Many say that the widespread cooperation of many different sectors focused on the whale strike issue is rare, since it is an issue that may involve limiting human access to the habitat - an effort that is often perceived as necessary by conservationists but too constraining by commercial marine business operators.

According to Reg White, "This is one area where we all share an interest in saving the resource." White points out that some seminal research on how to avoid whale collisions was conducted several decades ago by the Boeing Corporation, the manufacturer of the Sea Flight Jetfoil 929 craft.

Laws prohibit approaching whales by less than one hundred yards. While authorities report that boaters are generally cooperative in observing the regulations, a problem lies in the fact that whales "are not cognizant of the law" and may choose to surface perilously close to a cargo of humans.

Jim Coon, owner of Trilogy Excursions and a long-time Sanctuary Advisory Council member, noted that boat operators are highly motivated to steer clear of the multi-ton creatures. He said operators of whale-watch vessels often warn each other about the position of whale pods at sea. Coon maintains that maritime professionals are likely to feel a deep affection for the creatures that generate the base of their business. In light of the humpback's popularity, however, he is concerned that if a whale strike were to occur, the public outcry might lead some to demand that shipping lanes be shut down in order to mitigate the potential harm to animals. Eventually, he predicts, the economic consequences of such a move would be so bad that there would be a backlash against conservation efforts. Coon is urging the sanctuary to step up its efforts to support research leading to whale-strike avoidance.

A major key to reducing the chance of unwanted encounters with whales, many agree, should be to increase our understanding of the animal's behavior in Hawaiian waters. Those who spend a lot of time on water- whether it's for science or business - often share the same rich store of anecdotes indicating the whales seem to have some prescient awareness of boats in their neighborhood waters. It's been suggested that the marine animal's acute sense of hearing may enable them to detect oncoming boats and move away in time to avoid a collision.

"It is really amazing that we don't have more incidents of strikes," said White, who added that it would be tragic to simply leave it up to the whales to avoid us. "We could discover that the presence of too many vessels had, indeed, bothered the humpbacks enough to (drive them from their Hawaiian habitat). And by then it would be too late.

Liza Simon is the public outreach coordinator for the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

 

 

Progress Report on U.S. Lines New Builds

by Mele Pochereva

Construction on the first of two new passenger ships for American Classic Voyages' U.S. Lines began in June, 2000. The 1,900-passenger ship, dubbed "Project America Hull #1," was to begin cruising among the Hawaiian Islands in early 2003.

At press time, AMCV was unable to say whether construction is on schedule. However, the Web site for the shipyard, Litton Ingalls Shipbuilding (www.ingalls.com), said, "By July 21, the first ship is more than 20% complete, with more than 4,500 tons of steel erected on-ship. On June 1, Ingalls set what is believed to be a company record for shipboard equipment loadout, when 800 tons of engines, generators, boilers and associated machinery were installed onto the ship's deck in a single day."

When completed, the ship will be the largest cruise ship ever built in a U.S. shipyard, and the first new U.S-built cruise ship in more than 40 years.

 

SOUNDINGS

Challenging Career Opportunity for Hawaii's Youth

by Rene Mansho

I discovered that there are nine Hawaii mid-shipmen in training at the United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. The Academy's mission is to educate and graduate officers and leaders dedicated to serving the economic and defense interest of our nation
in the armed forces and merchant marine, and who will contribute to an intermodal transportation system that effectively ties America together.

Tuition and room-and-board are paid by the federal government; students graduate with bachelor of science degrees, merchant marine license and Naval Reserve commissions. They can select employment aboard ship, in the shoreside maritime industry or on active military duty. Highlights of each midshipman's educational experience are two 6-month training periods at sea aboard operating merchant ships. Students visit 18 foreign nations sailing aboard such vessels as containerships, tankers, general cargo ships and passenger ships.

In order to attend the Academy, one must be nominated by a U.S. Senator or Congressman from Hawaii, or if one's parents are in the military, the president may submit the nomination. The value of the four-year education totals about $150,000. Senators Inouye and Akaka, and Representatives Mink and Abercrombie are avid supporters for our young men and women to attend Kings Point and have seen many of their nominees succeed in exciting careers both in the military and the private corporate world.

This past June 18, our special congratulations went to the Class of 2001 graduates: Malia Schoch of Kaneohe, Shaun Shiraishi of Mililani, and Geoffrey Lee of Maui, on their achievement as global citizens. Hopefully someday they will return home to work in the maritime industry in Hawaii.

Best wishes and imua to midshipmen: Akira White of Hilo, Class of 2002; Jeffrey Reed and David Chapman, both of Kailua, and Vallerie Busch of Hilo, Class of 2003; and to Aleta Prose of Mililani and Mike Mons of Kauai, both in the Class of 2004.

Midshipman Jeffrey Reed put it best, ÒTraining at Kings Point is a guaranteed way to work back home in a good paying job. I won't have to leave Hawaii like many others in search of high paying jobs.Ó
The Mayor's Maritime Advisory Committee also initiated the 1st Annual Maritime Academies Reunion this summer to enable Hawaii students from all maritime academies, parents, and potential employers to meet and support the maritime industry in Hawaii.

Our Hawaii midshipmen miss aku poke and plate lunches, surfing and the beautiful weather that we take for granted here at home. We hope to see them return to Hawaii as proud Kings Point alumnae, ready and willing to support the maritime industry in Hawaii.

Honolulu City Councilmember Rene Mansho serves as chair of the Customer Services Committee and Vice-Chair of the Transportation Committee. She also is a member of the Marine Transportation System National Advisory Council for the U.S. Maritime Administration.

Hawaii Ocean Industry provides this space as a forum to express viewpoints in Hawaii's ocean industry.