Machinery Rooms News

Huntington Ingalls Industries’ (HII) Newport News Shipbuilding division lifted a 704-metric ton unit into Dry Dock 12, where the aircraft carrier John F. Kennedy (CVN 79) is taking shape. The superlift is part of an improved build strategy implemented on the second ship of the Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) class, resulting in superlifts erected at a higher state of outfitting completion. “For Kennedy, increased preoutfitting puts into practice one of many lessons learned from Gerald R. Ford,” said Mike Shawcross, Newport News’ vice president, CVN 79 construction.

Classification society ClassNK has released amendments to its Rules and Guidance for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships. Amendment related to the Closing Appliances for Air Pipes in Machinery Rooms, etc. The ClassNK Rules and Guidance are available via ClassNK’s website, www.classnk.com.

Dometic’s HVAC systems fit right into the dual purpose of providing comfortable workboat environments while also protecting vital equipment. Both tasks go hand in hand and collaboration between parties is the key. An efficient and reliable HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system on board commercial vessels is essential. In difficult and often extreme operating conditions, the system will provide a comfortable and healthy work environment for crew and also protect vital electronic equipment from overheating and potentially breaking down.

ClassNK released its new Noise and Vibration Guideline for measuring and evaluating the noise and vibration on ships. The new Guideline address the growing demand for new standards for noise and vibration on commercial vessels and provides detailed requirements for measuring and evaluating noise and vibrations in crew accommodations and machinery rooms, as well as establishes new notations for ships that comply with the new requirements. The new guideline is divided into two parts: Part A, which covers noise and vibration measurement criteria for accommodation spaces in line with IMO Resolution A.468 (XII), ISO 2923:1996 and ISO 6954:2000; and Part B, which covers vibration measurement criteria for rotating machinery and reciprocating machinery in line with ISO 10816.

By Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Pedro A. USS Bataan (LHD 5) left the Norfolk Naval Shipyard after an eight month dry-docked planned maintenance availability (DPMA), May 5. Some major jobs completed aboard were completion of a seawater compensated fuel system modification and upgrades to support the newest vertical/short take off and landing Marine Corps aircraft, the MV-22 Osprey. The fuel compensation modification changes the way the fuel tanks aboard the ship are emptied. As fuel is used, the emptying tanks fill with seawater, so the ship's stability is not reduced as fuel is burned while underway. "The biggest thing with this modification is stability…

Representing an important milestone for U.S. commercial shipbuilding, the delivery of the 141,740-dwt Polar Endeavour signaled the unfolding of a major new chapter of investment in the fleet dedicated to coastwise transportation of Alaskan crude oil. Giving first form to the Millennium concept, the tanker has been purpose-designed for trade in the world's most environmentally-sensitive waters. While Polar Tankers' main requirement of the Millennium-class is to ship crude to Puget Sound from the Trans Alaska Pipeline terminal at Valdez, the series is also suited to the needs of the traffic to California and Hawaii. The program had been implemented in 1997…

Representing an important milestone for U.S. commercial shipbuilding, the delivery of the 141,740-dwt Polar Endeavour signaled the unfolding of a major new chapter of investment in the fleet dedicated to coastwise transportation of Alaskan crude oil. Giving first form to the Millennium concept, the tanker has been purpose-designed for trade in the world's most environmentally-sensitive waters. While Polar Tankers' main requirement of the Millennium-class is to ship crude to Puget Sound from the Trans Alaska Pipeline terminal at Valdez, the series is also suited to the needs of the traffic to California and Hawaii. The program had been implemented in 1997…

The term "Quiet Vessel" evokes images of stealthy nuclear submarines such as the Seawolf or the new Virginia Class. You may even think of the super-secret Sea Shadow, a radar evading surface vessel designed and built by the makers of the stealth fighter and stealth bomber, the Lockheed "Skunk-Works". However, you would probably not relate the term, "Quiet Vessel", to a new pair of Station Pilot-Boats built for the San Francisco Bar Pilots, a Voith-Schiedner Tractor Tug or a new Ferry for the Alaska Marine Highway System. Whereas the Seawolf and Sea Shadow were designed to be quiet underwater, the Pilotboat, tugboat and ferry were simply designed to be quiet for their occupants.

Repairs and other problems have delayed the deployment of the USS John F. Kennedy. The Kennedy completed more than 30 hours of sea trials earlier this week, meeting or exceeding all standards necessary to prove the carrier is safe and reliable to conduct sustained combat operations. Since December 11, Kennedy Sailors have worked side-by-side with civilian contractors, around the clock, to correct deficiencies identified in a recent INSURV assessment. Sea trials were the payoff for their efforts. Every area identified as deficient was proven to be operational. According to MMCS(SW) Donald Duffy, engineering aft group leading chief petty officer, the Sailors in Engineering Department have been working especially hard.

As the sole shipbuilding organization outside eastern Asia with a current involvement in the construction of large LNG carriers, IZAR is determined to maintain a long-term position in a promising, higher value-added field of the newbuild market. The present business profile is based on a series of membrane-type vessels of 138,000-cu. m. capacity, contracted in recent years in the face of fierce international competition and oriental domination of gas tanker production. However, the gathering momentum behind the Spanish group's research and development drive has increased its offering to the LNG transportation sector beyond the impressive new generation of ships now taking form in Sestao and Puerto Real for Spanish and Norwegian interests.