New Young Brothers Tug Christened in Louisiana

The Kāpena Jack Young, the first of four new ocean-going tugs being built for Foss Hawaii-based subsidiary Young Brothers, was christened recently and will join the company’s inter-island freight service.

The Kāpena-Class tug was designed by Damen USA and built by Louisiana-based Conrad Shipyard. “Kāpena” means “captain” in the Hawaiian language, and celebrates the skill and innovation of Young Brothers’ Hawaiian navigators.

The Kāpena Jack Young packs 6,000 horsepower and was designed to match Young Brothers’ fleet of modern, high-capacity barges.

The new tugs were designed to match Young Brothers’ fleet of modern high-capacity barges, and will improve the company’s ability to provide “just-in-time” cargo service to Neighbor Island communities, while enhancing service through lower maintenance down time, better tow speeds, greater operating efficiencies, and lower emissions.

The Kāpena Jack Young will be homeported in Kaunakakai, Molokai. It is named after Capt. Jack Young, one of three brothers who founded Young Brothers in 1900. Each of the four new Kāpena-Class tugs will be named after an original Young Brothers’ captain.

The others are Kāpenas George Panui Sr. and Jr., Bob Purdy, and Raymond Alapai. The christening of the Kāpena Jack Young was held at Port Fourchon with representatives of Young Brothers, Foss Maritime, Conrad, and Damen in attendance, as well as Sharon Young, Jack Young’s granddaughter, who sponsored the vessel.

“The four new Kāpena-Class tugs, represent our future while honoring our past. Once in service, the average age of our fleet will be reduced from 44 years to 12 years young,” said Joe Boivin, new president of Young Brothers. “The new tugs reinforce our commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and customer service.”

The 6,000 horsepower, 123-by-36.5-foot vessel is powered by General Electric 8L250MDC— state-of-the-art EPA Tier IV emissions-compliant exhaust gas recirculation engines.

Sponsor Sharon Young, Jack Young’s granddaughter, breaks the traditional bottle of champagne over the tug’s bow. At right is Young Brothers President Joe Boivin.

“I’m very impressed with the work that has been done by Conrad shipyards and Damen USA in the delivery of the first of our four new, state-of-the-art, Tier 4 tugs,” said John Parrott, President and CEO of Foss Maritime. “We worked with Young Brothers to research various tug hull designs, engines, and towing equipment options. The construction of these new tugs supports Young Brothers’ in providing reliable, affordable and frequent services throughout the Hawaiian islands—now and in the future.”