Suspension Systems News

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) has selected SHOXS suspension systems to refit and upgrade the charity’s Severn class lifeboats.Introduced to the RNLI in 1995, the 17-meter Severn class lifeboats are the largest lifeboats in the RNLI fleet and are designed to handle the toughest weather. The RNLI has chosen SHOXS 4800 variant seats for the coxswain, helm, mechanic, navigators, doctor and crew and plans to refit up to 44 Severn class lifeboats with SHOXS seating.“The volunteer crews of the RNLI head out when sea conditions are at their worst.

When it comes to shock-mitigation, bigger is truly better.Let’s consider a thought experiment: You must take the wheel of one of two cars speeding along straight tracks with no exits. Both cars are traveling at 100 km/hour, but the first is 100 meters from a brick wall while the second is only 10 meters from an identical wall. There is nothing to do but decelerate before the crash, and assuming your decision is guided by self-preservation the choice is obvious. Why? Because even the best tactical driver can’t overcome physics…

When it comes to shock-mitigation, bigger is truly better.Let’s consider a thought experiment: You must take the wheel of one of two cars speeding along straight tracks with no exits. Both cars are traveling at 100 km/hour, but the first is 100 meters from a brick wall while the second is only 10 meters from an identical wall. There is nothing to do but decelerate before the crash, and assuming your decision is guided by self-preservation the choice is obvious. Why? Because even the best tactical driver can’t overcome physics…

Workboat construction now demands that naval architects factor in the physical demands on passengers and crew. As wind farm requirements increase, so too will the need for greater protections. A major challenge for the builders of next generation RHIBs and high speed craft is delivering platforms that balance high performance with the physical demands on crew and passengers. With the arrival of ‘unbreakable boats’ plus a surplus of engine power, ‘man’ is often considered as the weakest link.

Data collection and monitoring helps measure the impact exposure of Workboat crew and passengers. Professional powerboat users face an increased risk from injuries associated with the constant impacts they receive during their daily activities. It is not hard to imagine that constantly driving a rigid hull through a choppy sea will result in some uncomfortable moments, but much of the professional marine industry continues to pretend that there is no problem. The term ‘Professional’ is important.

For some time now, military agencies and specialist organizations around the globe have driven the evolution of high speed watercraft. As a trickle-down effect fast response craft now serve roles once typically serviced by displacement designs including pilot boats, dive boats, crew boats and offshore support. During high speed operations the repeated shocks (RS) and whole body vibrations (WBV) of this harsh environment are transmitted to the passengers, operators and crew aboard, creating avenues of owner liability if not addressed.

UK MOD announce Viking amphibious all-terrain vehicles to be regenerated under a  £37-million contract with BAE Systems. Used extensively by the Royal Marines, the 99 Viking BVS10 vehicles, which can be launched straight from the stern of a ship and propelled through water before landing for a beach assault, are in line for a major overhaul by BAE Systems. They were deployed to Afghanistan in 2006 for their versatility across tough terrains before they were later replaced by Warthog.

Argus Subsea, which manufactures innovative subsea products for time-critical fields, announced the introduction of the AZ-15J subsea tree and wellhead system. Specially designed for jack-up mobile drilling units, the Argus AZ-15J is the world’s first purpose-built system that allows operators to drill and complete wells up to 15,000 PSI working pressure without special riser systems or cumbersome temporary abandonments. The Argus AZ-15J provides an easier installation experience for operators, which takes less manpower and leads to a safer, more cost-effective production applications than with conventional mudline suspension systems using wellheads adapted for horizontal or vertical tree completions.

Metalastik's Cushymount K anti-vibration mounts have been chosen to isolate exceptionally heavy machinery in a new RoRo ferry, M/V Kennicott, which recently went into service in Alaska. Cushymount K units are rubber/metal assemblies incorporating four spring elements housed between top and bottom casings of S.G. iron, and were found to be the only mounts capable of meeting all aspects of the exacting specification for this application. All crew and passenger cabins on Kennicott have noise levels of 60 dB(A) or less, and dining areas and lounges have a noise limit of 65 dB(A). Shipbuilders Halter Marine were advised by specialist consultants Noise Control Engineering on a series of measures to minimize noise and vibration, including the isolation of exhaust silencing equipment.