09/01/2026
Moving a 150-foot long radome container across the country was only part of the challenge.
After traveling over 4,100 miles across 11 states, the Radome Envelope Container (REC) arrived in Oregon for the next critical phase of the project — loading the structure onto a vessel bound for Hawaii.
At the Port of Rainier along the Columbia River, OXBO developed and executed a detailed vessel loadout plan accounting for river currents, tide swings, low water levels, and vessel positioning constraints.
Using 12 lines of Goldhofer PST/SLE, the massive REC — measuring approximately 150 feet long and weighing over 200,000 pounds (cargo only) — was transported across the pier and positioned for loading.
A spacer barge, derrick crane barge, tugboats, and 75-foot ramps were used to safely transfer the cargo to the MDA-contracted support vessel Black Watch.
Every step of the operation required coordination between marine crews, engineers, transport teams, and project management.
Once secured in accordance with ABS requirements, the vessel departed ahead of schedule for its journey to Ford Island, Pearl Harbor.
The final phase of the project was about to begin.
Photography By JDavenport Photography