Car shipping to Hawaii is one of the most arduous things you can possibly imagine when it comes to this business. We are not just referring to the distance between the West Coast and that island semi-nation. The general rigors of sea travel are quite extensive. So when you want to make that big move to Hawaii and you have to take your car along, it’s important to be familiar with the makeup of the seas so you can appropriately prepare your vehicle for the trip across the Pacific.
Weather Patterns: They Are a Big Deal
One of the primary things you need to be concerned about when relating to shipping your car across the Pacific to Hawaii or beyond would be the weather conditions. The first piece of knowledge you should be armed with as far as ocean weather is concerned is that it is extremely unpredictable. Now, one would think that the bigger the ship, the easier it is to manage against the power of nature. But the truth is that this is not entirely the case. A bigger ship doesn’t mean it is impervious to bad weather. In layman’s terms: Bigger is not better. The Titanic disaster proved this.
Tools of the Trade. What does matter is how advanced the ship is. The reason modern shipwrecks are so rare is the fact that they are armed with all sorts of devices to help them fight off and even avoid bad seas. Radar helps substantially, of course, but there is a lot more to a ship than just the radar. Advanced pumps and other modern techniques are now employed to deal with flooding should it occur.
All those are just common tools you will find on any large vessel. Car shipping vessels that run between California and Hawaii use even more than just that to preserve your vehicle in transit. Cargo holds are not only quite large, but they also come in their own watertight compartments that keep moisture from penetrating through the interior of the ship. The hull is also specially designed to limit the impact of ocean moisture penetrating from the outside, so the car will not sustain as much natural damage as it normally would.
Always Play It Safe
Nevertheless, sometimes a vessel has no choice but to take on a squall and rely on the power of the engines to make it through. It is during surprise storms like these that your car is at the greatest amount of peril; and while sinkings are, again, very rare in these modern times, they are not impossible. The most you can do to protect yourself from catastrophes like this is simply purchasing insurance. Most car shipping companies will offer this service in the event you are travelling overseas, but it also wouldn’t be a bad idea to talk to your agent about investing in temporary coverage. So be sure you do that before you decide to make the move to Hawaii.
How Much Time is Needed?
The biggest thing that is on your mind when it comes to shipping your vehicle is: How long will it take? Of course, this question is quite natural. The amount of time it takes to deliver the car is a major influence on how much it will cost you. The truth just might surprise you. Travelling from San Diego, which is the major port between the continental United States and Hawaii, will take your vehicle anywhere from nine to twelve days depending on weather conditions and how powerful the vessel is. To put the speed in perspective, it takes you about six hours to make it there by plane travelling the same route—very fast, indeed.
What is the Ship Like?
And then there’s the matter of the ship itself. Cars are very touchy machines, so it’s natural that they cannot be put on the same type of ship as you would, say, a zoo. Vessels need to be far more secure than that to ensure their cargo is not jostled around by the ocean while they are moving. As a result, ships that are designed specifically for car shipping ensure that your vehicles remain stable during the course of their voyage. Employing a large number of decks similar to those trailers you see hauling ten or so vehicles along the highway, advanced engineering and restraint systems keeping your cars from sliding about, especially when dealing with rough seas.
We could talk all day about the design of car vessels, but that is a topic for another day. Be sure to contact us or leave a comment if you ever have any questions about our service or what you should do to prepare for the trip. We are here to help you make your move as smooth as possible, no matter where you might be going.
