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Investigation report into cargo loss published

On April 6, 2021, the National Transportation Safety Board has issued an investigation report on the cargo loss from the barge 'Ho'omaka Hou' on June 22, 2020. It found that improper stacking by Young Brothers caused 21 containers to topple overboard near Hilo Bay. The incident caused a loss of $1.6 million in cargo and damage and container replacement. The barge 'Ho’omaka Hou' was under tow by the 'Hoku Loa' off the northeast coast of the big island of Hawaii en route to Hilo, when fifty 40-foot containers stacked on the after deck of the barge toppled, causing 21 to fall into the ocean. Eight containers were eventually recovered by salvors, and 13 remain missing. Cargo loss was estimated at $1.5 million, and damage to the barge and containers was estimated at $131,000. The NTSB determined that the probable cause of the collapse of the container stacks was the company not providing a barge team with an initial load plan. It also found that there were inadequate procedures for monitoring the stack weights. That led to the undetected “reverse stratification of container stacks,” and made the stacks more susceptible to the forces while in transit at sea. The containers should have been stacked with the heaviest on the bottom and the lightest on top. Instead the reverse was the case. Full report: https://www.ntsb.gov/investigations/AccidentReports/Reports/MAB2109.pdf

12 lost containers remained unlocated

The US Coast Guard continued to investigate the loss of 21 cargo containers from the barge 'Ho Omaka Hou' and monitor response operations in Hawaii on June 30. All cargo was successfully removed from the barge over the weekend, and it returned safely to Honolulu, where a further damage assessment was being conducted. Of the 21 missing containers, 12 remained unlocated. One was initially located north of Hilo but later sank. One washed ashore at Onomea beach, where it was refloated and towed to Hilo Harbor. The rest were recovered to Hilo Harbor and were removed from the water. The incident is a reportable marine casualty under federal regulations as defined by the criteria in the Code of Federal Regulations for all commercial maritime operations. As a matter of routine and in line with standard practices surrounding a marine casualty, the Coast Guard and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the incident. Both agencies produce their own summary of findings. The shipping company, Young Brothers, worked cooperatively with the Coast Guard to address the situation and is conducting an independent investigation.

Container recovery continued

The Coast Guard continued to respond to the container loss from the 'Ho'Omaka Hou' inbound to Hilo Harbor on June 22. A Cates Marine salvage team hired by the shipping company continued to search for and locate missing containers. Two containers have been successfully towed and secured in Hilo Harbor. Another two containers were located and marked. Cates Marine personnel will continue retrieving known containers from the original cluster of nine. The four containers previously mentioned were part of this nine, located about eight miles north of Hilo. A 250-ton crane has been contracted to lift containers out of the water in Hilo by American Marine. Plans were in place to begin operation to remove the recovered containers from the water in Hilo Harbor tomorrow morning. The company has developed a salvage plan to offload the barge and will submit it to Coast Guard Sector Honolulu personnel for review and approval. Once begun, offloading was expected to take several days. Only one container has been found to contain hazardous materials in the form of small household cleaners and usage materials. This container is on the barge and not in the water. Twelve containers remain unaccounted for; aerial overflights were conducted today with no additional sightings. Coast Guard personnel were working with the company, Young Brothers, to investigate the incident. The event has been deemed a reportable marine casualty, meeting the criteria for such designation under the US Code of Federal Regulations. The National Transportation Safety Board has been advised and was acting in a supporting role. Young Brothers was also conducting an independent investigation into the incident. A Coast Guard broadcast notice to mariners remained in effect for the waters off Hilo to advise mariners to use extra caution while transiting the area and keep a sharp lookout for any signs of containers that may present a hazard to navigation.