August 2005 29
first well for the Standard Oil Company
of Texas. The rig then moved to anoth-
er location off the coast of Galveston,
Texas, then to the Gulf of Mexico.
In June 1956, the Scorpion set a
drilling rig world relocation record by
traveling approximately one mile under
tow from one well site to another and
commenced drilling a new well within
8.5 hours.
Scorpion's unprecedented reposition-
ing speed was due to its ability to stabi-
lize with only five to seven feet of sea
floor penetration and then quickly ele-
vate.
Other platforms of the day typically
required as much as a hundred feet of
spud penetration and days to jack before
operations could begin.
Construction soon began on a second
LeTourneau platform, which was deliv-
ered to Zapata Off-Shore in early 1957.
The LeTourneau platforms soon had an
opportunity to prove themselves, as they
were the only rigs on the Gulf Coast to
withstand the forces of Hurricane
Audrey in 1957 without sustaining dam-
age.
The Zapata Scorpion revolutionized
offshore oil and gas exploration a half
century ago by greatly reducing the
costs of setting an offshore oil well into
operation.
Well regarded as a robust and efficient
drilling platform, LeTourneau had built
and placed 10 offshore platforms around
the world by 1959.
Today, after having designed, engi-
neered and built 179 jack-ups (more
than anyone else) and with more than
135 operating throughout the world,
LeTourneau, Inc.'s Marine Group stands
as a leader in offshore jack-up drilling
rigs, with a track record of dependabili-
ty.
Circle 29 on Reader Service Card
Circle 228 on Reader Service Card
SEACOASTER
From backwaters, to ports, offshore and on
the high-seas, American Marine
Holdings (AMH) has an extensive
range of fiberglass composite
and aluminum craft to meet
the demanding needs of
government and
commercial
professionals.
7110 21
st
Street East,
Sarasota, FL 34243
Phone: 941.755.7790
Fax: 941.758.5417
Email: info@amhgov.com
www.amhgov.com
Performance, Innovation, Value
•Military & Special Operations
•Force Protection
•Homeland Security
•Law Enforcement
•Dive / Rescue
•WorkBoat
•17’-390’
Contact the Government Services
team at AMH today to learn more
about these high quality, purpose
built craft.
Please come visit us
in booth 837 during
the US Maritime
Security Expo
Behind-the-Head and Over-the-Head
style noise-attenuating headsets
with stainless steel hardware
Intercom Master Station
accommodates up to
eight crew members
I
t takes a rugged intercom system to provide
clear communication in high noise, corrosive,
marine environments. That’s why the Series
9500 Marine Intercom System is “purpose-built”
for commercial vessels including law enforcement/
home security, fire/rescue boats as well as tug and
tow boats, barges, and ferry boats.
The Series 9500 consists of behind-the-head and
over-the-head style, noise-attenuating headsets
with enhanced comfort features and stainless
steel hardware, a weather-tight master station
that is compatible with most mobile VHF, UHF,
and marine band radios, and a belt station that
allows Push-to-Talk (PTT) capability and “hands-
free” intercom operation.
For more information about the Series 9500
Marine Intercom System, contact David
Clark Company at 800-298-6235 or visit
www.davidclark.com/marine.
www.davidclark.com/marine
©2005 David Clark Company Incorporated – Green headset domes are a David Clark Company Trademark.
Belt Station with
PTT and “hands-free”
capability
WORKBOAT TOUGH.
NEW SERIES 9500 MARINE INTERCOM SYSTEM
SNAME Introduces Innovation Sessions
In response to feedback from exhibitors, SNAME will introduce Innovation
Sessions during the SMTC&E and SPS, scheduled to be held in Houston on
October 20-21, 2005. Exhibitors who have new products or technologies can
use these sessions to make presentations to SMTC&E and SPS conference atten-
dees in a special lecture-style area of the Expo Hall with seating for up to 30.
Details:
• 20-minute segments, with 10 minutes for Q&A, for a total of 30 minutes
maximum per session.
Time slots available are:
Thursday, October 20 - 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm and 4:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Friday, October 21 - 8:30 am - 9:30 am and 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Although these presentations will not be formally reviewed, SNAME must
reserve the right to refuse any that do not seem appropriate, and will rely on the
exhibitor's and presenter's own standards of professional behavior to make close
supervision unnecessary.
· Brief abstracts must be submitted to SNAME HQ to
enowak@sname.org.
As there are only twelve slots available, they will be on a first come, first
served basis. You will receive a confirmation after your abstract has been
received. Two additional presentations will be selected as standbys.
Circle 203 on Reader Service Card
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