HELPING IN HAITI: Hornblower Marine Services continues work after earthquake

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February 22, 2010

By DANIEL SUDDEATH The News and Tribune Mon Feb 22, 2010, 10:08 PM EST

Since it deployed in January, the Huakai superferry has logged 5,000 miles and carried more than 900 tons of supplies into earthquake ravaged Haiti.

The boat is managed by Hornblower Marine Services, a New Albany company located at 115 E. Market St. The 373-foot Huakai is designed to get in and out of awkward docking areas, which has made the vessel invaluable with many of Haiti’s ports destroyed or severely damaged.

“With 16 feet of water and fairly calm winds, we can back in and unload anywhere,” said Greg Brown, vice president of Marine Operations for Hornblower.

Machinery, food and medical supplies have been among the tonnage hauled by the Huakai. It’s based in Jacksonville, Fla., for the mission, and travels 911 miles to the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince on each run.

After delivering its load, the Huakai treks about 183 miles to Guantanamo Bay to refuel.

The Huakai — which was designed as a superferry to carry automobiles for a Hawaiian company — has carried several hundred U.S. troops to Haiti for the relief efforts.

Brown said most of their missions revolve around transporting machinery and troops responsible for rebuilding infrastructure in Haiti. Their orders are issued by the Military Sealift Command, which is a branch of the U.S. Navy.

After the earthquake, Brown said federal and international agencies quickly worked through the paperwork to get the Huakai in action. He said under normal conditions, it can take three weeks to get the necessary approvals.

Another vessel managed by Hornblower, the Alakai, has also been activated as a backup ship. The Alakai remains stationed in Norfolk, Va., awaiting orders.

Hornblower’s crew working the Huakai have been diligent despite enduring conditions they’re unaccustomed to, Brown said.

“We want to sing the praises of our crew — they did things in such an expeditious fashion,” he said. “It’s not the most comfortable job we’ve put them on.”

Since the Huakai wasn’t built as a luxury ship, there are no bedrooms. Instead, crew members sleep on air mattresses or in other makeshift quarters.

But the crew doesn’t complain because of the wreckage and hardships they’ve witnessed while in Haiti, Brown said.

“It will sober you right up,” to observe the fallout from the earthquake, Brown said.

He added there’s been an overwhelming response locally from people that want to volunteer. Time will tell how much longer Hornblower will be working in Haiti.

The company received a 90-day contract last month with an option for a 90-day extension.