The Kapena Jack Young, the first of four new tugboats that soon will begin neighbor island service for Young Brothers, has been christened in Louisiana.

The boat, designed by Damen USA and built by Louisiana-based Conrad Shipyard, marks the arrival of the first new Kapena-class tugs built for Young Brothers. “Kapena” means “captain” in Hawaiian.

The ship, which will be home-ported in Kaunakakai, Molokai, is named after Capt. Jack Young, one of three brothers who founded Young Brothers in 1900.

Each of the four new Kapena- class tugs will be named after an original Young Brothers captain, including George Panui Sr. and Jr., Bob Purdy and Raymond Alapa‘i.

“The four new Kapena-class tugs represent our future while honoring our past,” Young Brothers President Joe Boivin said. “Once in service, the average age of our fleet will be reduced from an average age of 44 years to 12 years young. The new tugs reinforce our commitment to safety, environmental stewardship and customer service.”