A lot of cargo for Hawaii is delivered by ship to Honolulu on Oahu. Cargo for the smaller (in population) islands is then distributed by inter-island barges. One of their ports of call is Kawaihae, on the west coast of the Big Island.
When the tug and barge arrives at the port, a second tug is sent out to hook a line onto the stern of the barge, so that it can help check the momentum of the barge. The tug at the front stops towing and assists in this braking process. Once the barge has pretty much come to a stop, the two tugs push the barge around until it’s alongside the jetty for unloading.
These photos show some of that process. Above: entering the port and slowing down. Below: both tugs begin to push the barge.
Posted in response to this week’s Friendly Friday challenge on the theme of ‘Between the Lines.’ See more responses here.
Graham's Island 
I really like the composition of the first shot showing such stately progress, with the neat geometry and colours of the containers against the frivolous sky.
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Thanks. I often see the inter-island barge arriving, but the look always varies depending on the tug and the barge, how many containers it’s carrying, what the weather’s like, and what time it is.
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Such surprising colour in this shot, Graham. Thanks for joining in.
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First time I’ve seen the blue tug and green barge, and then the red and gray containers added to the image.
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Certainly did catch my eye.
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