News Briefs

The Delaware River Pilots Association recently contracted with Carey's Diesel to repower a vessel with a pair of Isotta Fraschini marine diesel engines, rated at 550 hp @ 2,400 rpm. This is the third vessel the Pilots Association has chosen to repower using Isotta Fraschini engines. The first Isotta Fraschini repowers were two 56,000-lb. vessels named Wilmington and Delaware. Wilmington's two 8V-72T Detroit Diesel two-cycle, eight cylinder engines were replaced with two V1308T2 MLH Isotta Fraschini four-stroke, V-8 cylinder marine diesel engines. Delaware's two 8V-92 Detroit Diesel two-cycle, eight cylinder engines were replaced with a pair of V1312T2 MLH Isotta Fraschini four-stroke, V-12 cylinder marine diesel engines.

The association reported increased speed, reduced noise levels, improved reliability, and greater fuel efficiency as a result of the engine replacements.

Based on these previous experiences, the Pilots Association chose to repower the third vessel with Isotta Fraschini engines. Carey's Diesel (East Coast Distributor of Isotta Fraschini) performed all three of the repowers at the Delaware River Pilots Association facility in Lewes, Del.

Isotta Fraschini's 1300 series Marine Diesel Engines series offers an in-line six cylinder (L1306T2) with rating from 299 to 600 hp, a 90-vee eight-cylinder with ratings of 449 to 750 hp and a 90-vee 12-cylinder (V1312T2) with ratings from 673 to 1,200 hp.

Reagan New Distributor of Guascor Systems

Reagan Equipment Co. has been named North American distributor of Guascor diesel engines and propulsion systems. Guascor engines from 500 to 1,500 hp have been installed in thousands of vessels and other applications worldwide.

Tom Reagan, president of Reagan Equipment said, "This is an excellent time to introduce the Guascor line of engines because activity is increasing in many maritime and industrial segments. Guascor engines have earned an outstanding reputation for high quality, dependability, lower emissions and low maintenance. The entire line of fuel efficient, IMO (International Maritime Organization) certified engines gives vessel owners and operators, cost efficient alternatives to those currently on the market, while knowing Guascor engines will meet the new IMO standards expected to be implemented in 2002 or 2003. Although the new regulations are not yet in force, when ratified, they will retroactively cover all new engines bought since Jan. 1, 2000."

Warren Berthelot, a 35-year veteran of the marine industry was appointed manager of Reagan Marine Systems. Berthelot said Reagan intends to establish a strong dealership network throughout North America for sales and service of Guascor diesel engines.

Parts and service will be provided on a 24-hour, year-round basis through Reagan's new service center nearing completion in Plaquemine, La. The 6,000 sq. ft. facility will have 2,000 ft. of dock space at mile mark 42.5 on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. Reagan will also stock John Deere generator sets and industrial engines at the site. Reagan's three other Louisiana branches located on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway at Morgan City, Houma, and Harvey will provide additional support.

Waukesha Launches New Gas Engine

Waukesha Engine Division has announced the introduction of its new VHP Series Four L5794LT Gas Engine. The newest member of Waukesha Engine's most popular engine family debuted at the National Petroleum Show held this June in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Initial units of the engine will be available for delivery this September.

A twelve-cylinder gaseous-fueled engine, the new VHP Series Four L5794LT combines traditional VHP durability and efficiency, lean-burn combustion, Series Four cylinder heads and open-chamber combustion in a robust design for reliable horsepower output (1,445 hp @ 1,200 rpm; 1,205 hp @ 1,000 rpm) and maximum uptime.

The L in the suffix indicates lean burn gas engine, while the T denotes significant increase in combustion turbulence and breathing improvements of the new Series Four cylinder heads. The swirl ratio, which measures in cylinder turbulence, is more than double that of the standard VHP. In addition, intake port restriction has been reduced 33 percent.

Open-chamber combustion allows higher power output, lower maintenance and worry-free uptime. The new VHP Series Four L5794LT also features: a 20 percent power increase over the 5790GL (from 1215 to 1445 @ 1200 rpm); an extended life cycle compared to previous models (up to 25 percent improvement); a turbocharger that provides full power up to 5000 ft. altitude and utilizes a water-cooled center housing for cooler bearing temperatures and longer life; and open-chamber combustion with no admission-valve maintenance.

OMI Corp. Acquires Two Product Carriers

OMI Corp. has agreed to attain two 47,000-dwt product carriers from another owner that are currently under construction at Onimichi Dockyard in Japan. The vessels will be delivered to the company in September and late November 2000, upon which they will commence two time charters to an oil company. The company has also agreed to sell the 29,996-dwt product carrier Tiber, which was built in 1989, and is the last of its Polish built vessels.

Colie Completes Altair Interior Refit Early

In its first interior refit project for Mediterranean Yachts, marine contractor James P. Colie & Associates completed a turnkey refit adding three new cabins and baths, a new salon area, and a hallway connecting the rooms onboard the 194-ft. charter yacht Altair in only five weeks at the Port of Miami.

"The original contracted completion date was for six and a half weeks, but when a seven-week charter booking came up for the client on short notice in Europe, we successfully rearranged the construction schedule and finished the job nine days early," said James P. Colie, president and founder. "This allowed plenty of time for Altair to cross the Atlantic to pick up its passengers in the Mediterranean in time for the charter cruise."

The James P. Colie & Associates in-house design and project management team of James P. Colie, Jean Dapena and Darelyn Prejean immediately went to work and created a detailed cost, design and architectural presentation working closely with Bill Murray of Murray & Associates, naval architects.

After careful protection of the existing vessel interiors all cabins were stripped to the bare walls, ceilings and floors. New bulkheads were installed to provide for the new layout, bathrooms and built-in furnishings.

Upon completion of the demolition, rough construction, pipework, lighting, electrical, mechanical, sound and video systems modifications, James P. Colie & Associates immediately proceeded to install the new high-quality, luxurious and SOLAS-approved interiors.

Altair is a diesel electric motor yacht of Cayman Islands flag and was built in 1974 by Amels Holland B.V. and converted in 1997-98 by Oceanfast, Australia; naval architects Amels and Dennis Baker; interior and exterior styling Jon Bannenberg. Its classification status is Bureau Veritas I 3/3, Special Service Yacht /3. Her L.O.A. is 194 ft. with a 35.4-ft. beam, 12.5-ft. draft, and steel construction with teak on the main deck.

Sonsub Completes Innovator Mobilization

Sonsub Inc. recently completed mobilization of its 150 hp Innovator 08 ROV system onboard Transocean Sedco Forex's Discoverer Spirit under provisions of a long-term contract for Spirit Energy 76. Utilizing its extended tether feature, the Sonsub built ROV will be capable of a horizontal excursion of up to 2,800 ft. away from the drill ship. This new feature will help reduce the number of rig moves thereby allowing the continuation of drilling operations with little to no disruption.

Other features include a Sonsub-designed lean and effective deployment system to allow launch and recovery of the ROV in adverse environmental conditions, thus increasing the operational capabilities of the ship.

NOAA to Fund Ballast Water Treatment Test

Enviro Voraxial Technology Inc. announced that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, will provide funding for the rigorous testing of the patent pending EVTN/Maritime Solutions' Ballast Water Treatment System.

The funding of approximately $300,000 is one of the largest Sea Grant ever issued by NOAA and will be used to support testing of the revolutionary EVTN/Maritime Solutions' Ballast Water Treatment System. The testing is being done in cooperation with the University of Maryland and it is scheduled to begin next month in the Chesapeake Bay area in Baltimore.

Dr. David A. Wright and Dr. Roger Dawson of the University of Maryland's Chesapeake Biological Laboratory will be the Co.-principal investigators for the evaluation. Dr. Wright has over 28 years experience in Environmental Toxicology and is the author of more than 85 publications. He is also a member of the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) sub-committee to study alternative methods in the treatment of ballast water for the removal of harmful, non-indigenous, and invasive marine species.

"A commitment of this size by a governmental agency like NOAA, is a testament to the need for a solution to the ballast water problem,'' said John A. DiBella, Director of Business Development.

"The structure of the program we have created to test and evaluate our Ballast Water Treatment System is designed so that once validated, it can be immediately submitted to the U.S. Coast Guard for approval as an alternative to ballast water exchange," said Richard Fredricks, Vice President of Maritime Solutions, Inc.

The management and treatment of ballast water to eliminate the undesirable introduction of non-indigenous species is a global problem requiring a global solution. The economic costs associated with unwanted invasive species are now well known. In the Great Lakes alone, it is estimated that the zebra mussel has already caused more than $5 billion in damage to water pipes, ship hulls, and other surfaces. In other parts of the world, notably in Asia and Australia, coastal bivalve fisheries have been devastated by the introduction of the dinoflagellate species known as Alexandrium. Each year, ships exchange about 10 billion metric tons of ballast water. It is anticipated that the potential market for approved ballast water treatment systems will exceed $2 billion within the next five years.

U.S. Navy Lab, LSS Sign Agreement

Litton Ship Systems (LSS) has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Carderock Division of the Naval Sea Systems Command, to identify and collaborate on projects of mutual interest for the benefit of the U.S. Navy and the U.S. maritime industry.

The agreement includes activities in hull, machinery and electrical (HM&E) systems to improve and reduce the cost of U.S. Navy ships and ship systems. This includes developing more efficient methods and technology for designing, powering, building, operating and maintaining vessels; reducing manning levels as well as total ownership costs through increased use of commercial and other developed equipment, systems and technology.

Ivan L. Caplan, Carderock Division's Director of Business Development, announced the agreement. "This is an important step in forging efficient public-private relationships for the good of the U.S. Navy and the maritime industry," he said. "I am excited about the increased opportunities that will come about as a result of this agreement," said Jerry St. Per, Chief Operating Officer, Litton Ship Systems, and Executive Vice President, Litton Industries. "It further solidifies a fruitful relationship and it comes at a time when innovation, teaming and cooperation have become critical parts of the LSS Strategic Plan."

Dr. Larry Cavaiola, President, Litton Ship Systems Full Service Center, said, "Litton Ship Systems Full Service Center was formed earlier this year to increase our participation level and skills in all phases of a shipbuilding program - from early stage research and development through design, construction and lifetime support - as we pursue our Full Service Contractor strategy. The Carderock Division is a premier organization in researching and developing critical marine technologies, and, on behalf of the Full Service Center, I am delighted to be formally joined with them through this MOA."

Caterpillar Offers Extended Coverage

Caterpillar's Engine Products Division now offers extended service coverage (ESC) for Caterpillar engines and generator sets in the marine market. ESC can be purchased from Caterpillar dealers worldwide as of Aug. 1. For the first time, Cat engine owners are able to choose a standardized Caterpillar ESC package that ensures their equipment will be protected by the global network of Cat dealers and technicians.

ESC protects Cat owners against failure of covered components beyond expiration of the standard warranty period. Based on their preference and applications, customers can choose ESC coverage periods ranging from 24 to 60 months or from 1,500 to 18,000 operating hours depending on the engine model.

Two ESC options are available: One covers engines and generator sets kept within the selling dealer's service territory during the product's service life; the other provides an ESC warranty for mobile engines and generator sets that allows for service by any Caterpillar dealer around the globe. Equipment owners can choose the ESC plan that best meets their needs. As is common with standard warranties, the owner must ensure the engine is properly applied and maintained.