Sunken Dry Dock Removed from Honolulu Harbor

 

The dry dock, named Kapilipono, took on water and sunk in its berth on September 9, 2015 due to an electrical malfunction. In the following months, recovery plans were activated, the water was removed and the vessel was refloated in January. Kapilipono was fully cleaned of any and all petroleum products, and all cargo holds, tanks, voids and bilges were emptied as verified by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG).

 

Ocean and wind conditions presented a favorable window of opportunity on February 20, 2016, enabling Kapilipono to be towed 12 miles off Oahu’s south shore where it was sunk at an approved Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) disposal site located at coordinates 21° 6’0.00″N 157°58’45.00″W. Piers 40 and 41 where the dry dock was previously berthed are now clear.

 

Kapilipono was originally constructed in 1974 andbelonged to Pacific Shipyards International LLC, which paid for the disposal costs. The floating dock was 375 feet by 105 feet and capable of lifting a 400-foot container barge.

 

“Moving this massive vessel, which was about the size of a football field, was a complex undertaking that took careful coordination with several agencies and it happened without a hitch,” according to Ford Fuchigami, Hawaii Department of Transportation Director, who said a team comprised of federal, state and private sector parties ensured the safe and successful resolution to this situation.