Design: RNLI’s Shannon Class Lifeboat
The latest lifeboat to join the fleet of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, the main sea rescue service in the UK and Ireland, is the waterjet-propelled Shannon class, which the organization says is its most agile and maneuverable all-weather lifeboat yet to be deployed. Designed entirely in-house by RNLI engineers, cutting-edge technology has been used in this new boat to meet modern-day rescue service demands following the lead taken with the RNLI’s introduction of the Shannon’s sister lifeboat class…
Double Order for Super Gloria Reachstacker
Kalmar, part of Cargotec, has gained an order for two Super Gloria reachstackers from Tadarsa Logistics S.L. in Aviles, Spain. The largest reachstackers ever built, the Kalmar Gloria DRG1300-92ZX will have the capability of lifting 130 tonnes and will be utilised specifically to lift heavy wind turbine sections, which can weigh up to 260 tonnes. The order has been booked into Cargotec's 2015 first quarter order intake with delivery scheduled for November 2015. The previous world lift record was set by Kalmar in Sweden in September 2014, when a reachstacker lifted 103 tonnes in front of an assembled audience. However, this latest machine has extended lifting capacity further than any previous reachstacker built for industrial application.
Samson Completes Facility Expansions
Samson has completed its 15,000-square-foot expansion at its Ferndale Washington facility. The expansion includes a new Innovation and Training Center (ITC) and several enhancements to the manufacturing area. According to Samson, the ITC was designed to create an environment of collaboration and innovation, now housing the research and development and quality functions, as well as an expanded test lab. The office space accommodates 16 engineers and field service technicians, nine quality assurance technical professionals, a large-capacity training room and a full testing facility.
Ocean Signal Expands Production Space
Communication and safety at sea specialists, Ocean Signal, has expanded its premises at its Margate headquarters. The extension of the production space and research and development facilities is to meet increased global demand for the company’s established product range and to prepare for the imminent production and distribution of further groundbreaking products. The addition of the new space increases the production area by a significant margin of 40% at the impressive Ocean Signal base and was driven by rises in output levels for its rescueME PLB1 and SafeSea range…
Princess Yachts Use Goliaths by Street Crane
Princess Yachts, luxury yacht builders, are using freestanding Goliath cranes from Street Crane Company to produce their new 30 to 40 metre M Class tri-deck yachts. The cranes, installed at the historic South Yard of the Devonport Dockyard, will allow large fabrications to be lifted, transported and accurately placed as the yachts are fitted out. There are three cranes in use. The main manufacturing area is serviced by two mirror image Goliath cranes of 16 tonnes safe working load, each spanning 13.75 metres.
Signal Enters Deck Barge Market
Signal International, LLC announced that the company will build a 300 ft by 100 ft ocean deck barge for Signet Maritime Corporation. The barge will be built at Signal’s Orange, Texas shipyard, with delivery scheduled for the first quarter 2010. In line with Signal’s marketing plan, large deck barges will be a continued product line for Orange, with multiple designs currently being offered. Signal’s yard in Orange has undergone a major transformation to elevate its marine and heavy manufacturing capability to world-class standards.
U.S. Navy: Reagan Cuts an Imposing Path
From the USS Monitor to Theodore Roosevelt's "Great White" fleet to today's development of the Littoral Combat Ship, the U.S. Navy, its mission and its physical assets have undergone many complete metamorphoses over the country's 227-year history. Despite all of the recent talk of the "new" navy, there is no greater symbol of U.S. Sea Superiority than the nuclear Aircraft Carrier. And, there is arguably no better namesake for the soon-to-be commissioned CVN-76 than President Ronald Reagan, whose mission of a 600-ship Navy helped to define a generation. At first glance, from outside appearances, CVN-76 may appear to be a standard nuclear Aircraft Carrier, though "standard" is a gross understatement in this instance.
