Citing overzealous trade reporting and seeking to set the record straight and ensure that accurate information is being disseminated, Wärtsilä NSD has issued a formal announcement regarding cracks in the bedplates of Sulzer RTA84T and RTA84T-B low-speed marine diesel engines. The company, concerned that reports had become alarmist and exaggerated, decided to present the details to the marine industry to set the record straight. Following is an excerpt from the announcement. CURRENT SITUATION: There are today 41 of the RTA84T and RTA84T-B engine types in service, all in VLCCs. The first began operation in 1994, and the longest running engines have individually accumulated up to more than 40,000 running hours. Of these, 11 engines have cracks in one or more of their bearing girders.