1978 — Dec 10, motor vessel Holo Holo (U of HI) sunk, rough seas west of Kawaihae, HI–10

–10 UPI. “Lost ship could be Signaling.” The News, Port Arthur, TX, 7A.
–10 USCG. Marine Casualty Report. MV Holo Holo; Disappearance… 1978… Nov 18, 1981.
— 9 New York Times. “Research Ship Missing After Sailing to Hawaii.” 12-15-1978, p. A25.

Narrative Information

USCG Abstract: “On 9 December 1878 the M/V Holo Holo departed Honolulu, HI with ten persons on board for the purpose of collecting oceanographic data and deploying oceanographic equipment off the western coast of Hawaii. On 12 December the vessel was reported overdue and a ten day search effort commenced utilizing the facilities of the U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Navy,, the Civil Air Patrol, the University of Hawaii and the U.S. Air Force. The search failed to locate the Holo Holo.

“On 9 December 1979, the NOAA ship Cromwell detected a sonar signal in response to a triggering signal sent from the ship. On 10 December 1979, experts aboard the Cromwell identified these signals as coming from underwater acoustic devices known to have been on the Holo Holo. Based on this data, the Board concluded that the Holo Holo sank at 20⁰6’N, 156⁰28’N, the location of the acoustic devices….

“The Commandant has concurred with the Marine Board that the most probable cause of the casualty was that the Holo Holo encountered seas of sufficient height and frequency to flood the forecastle, for which drainage was grossly inadequate, to a point where the stability was lost, capsizing the vessel. A probable contributing cause was the vessel’s lack of watertight integrity which would have permitted progressive flooding to occur.” (USCG. Marine Casualty Report. MV Holo Holo; Disappearance in the Pacific Ocean on 11 December 1978 … Nov 18, 1981.)

USCG Marine Board of Investigation: “Findings of Fact:

“1. On the morning of 11 December 1978, the M/V HOLOHOLO did not appear as scheduled at the port of Kawaihae [Island of Hawaii], HI. She had sailed from Honolulu, HI at 1437 (all times HST +10 zone description) on 9 December 1978 with ten persons on board for the purpose of collecting oceanographic data and deploying oceanographic equipment off the western coast of the island of Hawaii. The vessel was last seen off Waikiki shortly after sailing. Neither the vessel nor any of the persons on board are known to have been seen or heard from since that time.

“2. Vessel

Description Obtained From Last Issued Document

Name: HOLOHOLO
….
Gross Tonnage: 134.24
Net Tonnage 91
Register Length: 77.4 feet
Register Breadth: 25.4 feet
Register Depth: 4.6 feet
Place and Year Built: Honolulu, HI in 1963
….
Register Service: Pleasure
Document: Consolidated Certificate of Enrollment and Yacht License issued 1
July 1977 [p. 1.]
“….
“Prior to the September 1978 sale, HOLOHOLO was used exclusively as a pleasure vessel. During October 1978, a contract was executed between…[blacked out ] and the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii (RCUH) permitting the University of Hawaii to use HOLOHOLO for oceanographic research purposes. Before the December 1978 voyage, the vessel was used on one occasion for oceanographic work. There is no known record of the Coast Guard or the Secretary of Transportation being requested to find (designate) HOLOHOLO an Oceanographic Research Vessel in accordance with 46 USC 441…. [p. 3.]

“Structural Characteristics

“HOLOHOLO was a flat bottomed…steel vessel….No single deck was continuous for the length of the vessel. The forecastle deck was at the 9 moot 8 inch level (above the bottom plating), terminating at frame 14….

“The entire forecastle deck was enclosed by 3 foot solid bulwarks and a thwartship bulkhead at frame 14, 3 foot 8 inches high. There were seven openings in this well…. [p. 6.] Calculations indicate that the forecastle could hold 34.5 long tons of sea water instantaneously…. [p. 8.]

“Hull Structural Alterations

“Between 18 September and 9 December 1978 modifications and additions were made to HOLOHOLO which resulted in penetrations in weathertight and watertight bulkheads and decks as follows: [end of p. 8.]

a. A hatch and associated coaming were removed from the fantail by cutting flush with the main deck, leaving a 2’ by 4’ opening into the steering compartment.

b. A freezer box previously located on the fantail was relocated inside the galley/wet lab compartment….Removal of the associated refrigerant piping left two holes (1/2″ and 3/4″) in the deck of the fantail and through bulkhead 46 between the steering gear room and the after storeroom. Penetrations in the main deck at the new location were required to reactivate the freezer.

c. The entire upper half of bulkhead 46 separating the galley/wet lab compartment from the fantail was removed, leaving the compartment open to the weather.

d. A hydraulic winch was installed on the winch deck (13′ level) aft. The hydraulic pump was installed in the engine room. Penetrations were made in the winch deck at frame 45 ½, the main deck at frame 45 ½, and the after engine room bulkhead using a cutting torch. Two hydraulic lines were installed through these penetrations without stuffing tubes or other provisions for sealing them…. [p. 9.]

“Stability

“….Stability calculations were performed by a staff naval architect of the Ship Characteristics Branch…U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters…The stability calculations indicate that HOLOHOLO would either capsize or founder if both the after store room and steering compartments were flooded. They further indicate that the entrapment of 34.5 long tons of water in the forecastle area was possible. This amount of water in the forecastle, with the vessel on a 10 foot wave, crest amidship, would almost instantaneously reduce the HOLOHOLO’s righting moment to zero…The report concluded that, ‘Capsizing would be inevitable’, under these conditions. A twelve foot high wave with as little as 10 long tons of water in the forecastle well would produce the same result. The calculations were based on static conditions. [end p. 11.]

“3. Personnel Data [Pages 13-17 provide information on the ten people onboard, blacking out names.]

“4. Weather

“The National Weather Service broadcast four marine forecasts per day during December of 1978….At 1100 on Saturday, 9 December 1978 the forecast cancelled existing small craft advisories and indicated, ‘Winds over coastal waters East Northeast 15 knots seas 4 feet… All major channels East Northeast 20 knots seas 8 ft.’ These same conditions were predicted for Sunday. That afternoon, a charter oat operator estimated HOLOHOLO to be operating in two to three foot seas off Waikiki. She further estimated that there were 25 knot winds with four to five foot seas further offshore in the unprotected waters of the Kaiwi Channel, one of the major channels.

“The 1700, 9 December forecast stated, ‘Caution is advised due to marginal wind and sea conditions for all Hawaiian waters… Winds over coastal waters East Northeast 20 knots seas 8 feet… All major channels East Northeast 25 knots seas 10 feet. Other channels around Lanai variable 15 knots seas 4 feet.’ These conditions did not change for the two succeeding broadcasts, except the 0500, 10 December broadcast predicted ‘Channels around Lanai Easterly 20 knots seas 8 feet.’

“The 1100, 10 December forecasts stated, ‘Small craft advisories are effective at 1100 for all Hawaiian waters exposed to strong gusty trades… Winds over coastal waters East Northeast 25 knots seas 10 feet… All major channels East Northeast 30 knots seas 12 feet. Other channels around Lanai Easterly 25 knots seas 10 feet.’

“At 1310 on 10 December, the Army LCU-1573 reported 10-12 foot seas from the East-Northeast in the Alenuihaha Channel. The next day she reported similar seas…. [p. 18.]

“S/V JEANOYCE, crossing the Kaiwi Channel at 1845 on 10 December, estimated the wind at 35 knots from ENE with 20 foot seas. The wave period was described as ‘short and very sharp’.

“The marine weather forecasts remained the same until gale warnings were broadcast at 1700 on 11 December. This forecast stated, in part ‘Gale warnings are effective at 5 PM for all channels exposed to strong gusty trade winds. Small craft advisories remain in effect for other waters around the Hawaiian Islands exposed to the trades…Winds over coastal waters East Northeast 30 nots seas 12 feet…All major channels East Northeast 40 knots seas 20 feet…Other channels around Lanai Easterly 30 knots seas 12 feet.

“Gale warnings remained in effect thereafter until 0500 on 22 December 1978…. [p. 19.]

“The Last Voyage [p. 24.]

“HOLOHOLO was…to call at Kawaihae, Hawaii, 17 miles to the east of the benchmark, on the morning of 11 December 1978 to disembark the two NOAA persons and embark three other scientific personnel…. [p. 26.]

“At least four attempts were made by the scientists to call the HOLOHOLO through the marine operator on 11 December without success…. [p. 30.]

CONCLUSIONS

“1. The exact cause of the casualty is unknown. It is concluded that the most probable cause was that HOLOHOLO encountered seas of sufficient height and frequency to flood the forecastle, for which drainage was grossly inadequate, to a point where stability was lost, capsizing the vessel.
….
b. The acoustic devices which were located by CROMWELL are the ones which were carried by HOLOHOLO. Therefore, the casualty occurred at or near position 20⁰ 6′ N, 156⁰ 28′ W, where the devices were found, and where HOLOHOLO is now located on the bottom.

c. The casualty occurred on 10 December 1978 during the afternoon or evening. Calculating the elapsed time on a direct route between Diamond Head and the presumed location of the casualty, at the estimated speed when last seen, HOLOHOLO reached that point no sooner than 1600 [4 o’clock] on 10 December 1978.

d. Significant wave heights at the probable time and place of the casualty were 14 to 17.5 feet which were in excess of those predicted. It is therefore probable that the vessel encountered occasional wave heights of 22.4 to 28 feet….” [p. 36.]

USCG Commandant’s Action on The Marine Board of Investigation convened to investigate the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the M/V HOLOHOLO in the Pacific Ocean near the Hawaiian Islands on or about 11 December 1978 with loss of life:

“….It is recognized that the circumstances surrounding the loss of the HOLOHOLO could not be determined with certainty, and that other scenarios are possible. Regardless, the investigation has established that HOLOHOLO departed on its final voyage with a number of serious deficiencies which could have adversely affected the vessel’s ability to survive the sea conditions encountered on 10 December 1978….” [p. ii.]

Newspaper

Dec 14, NYT: “Honolulu, Dec 14 (UPI) — Rescue planes searched the Pacific Ocean south of Hawaii today for a University of Hawaii research vessel with nine men aboard that disappeared in rough weather on a trip between two Hawaiian islands.

“Moderating weather raised hopes that the missing 90‐foot vessel, the Holo Holo, would be found. She vanished after leaving Oahu Saturday [Dec 9] for the island of Hawaii.

“Aboard the vessel, chartered by the University of Hawaii for an ocean study program, were John Laney, the owner; and James Resukas, a crewman; Robert Harvey, Gary Niemeyer and Michael Allen of the University of Hawaii; James Sandusky of El Cerrito, Calif., and Stephen Shannon of Berkeley, Calif., physicists at California’s Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, and Robert Charnell and Norman Laird of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, based in Seattle.” (New York Times. “Research Ship Missing After Sailing to Hawaii.” 12-15-1978, p. A25.)

Sources

New York Times. “Research Ship Missing After Sailing to Hawaii.” 12-15-1978, p. A25. Accessed 6-30-2021 at: https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/15/archives/research-ship-missing-after-sailing-to-hawaii.html

UPI (United Press International). “Lost ship could be Signaling.” The News, Port Arthur, TX, 7A. Accessed 6-30-2021 at: https://newspaperarchive.com/port-arthur-news-dec-13-1979-p-7/

United States Coast Guard. Marine Casualty Report. MV Holo Holo; Disappearance in the Pacific Ocean on 11 December 1978 with Presumed Loss of Life (USCG 16732/01280). USCG, 11-18-1981.

Wikipedia. “MV Holoholo,” 7-14-2020 edit. Accessed 6-30-2021 at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MV_Holoholo