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The Tampa Bay economy receives more than $7 mil- lion a year in savings and direct income from the oper- ation of the Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS), according a new NOAA sponsored study. The report details the first study of the navigational aid which is in operation at 13 major ports across the Unit- ed States. Tampa's PORTS system provides accurate real-time oceanographic information tailored to the specific needs of the 6,700 commercial vessels transiting Tampa Bay each year. Tampa Bay maritime users have realized enhanced navigational safety while transiting the long channels of the harbor. This has resulted in more efficient loading logistics, enhanced vessel traffic management, and bet- ter protection of the environment and citizens of the Tampa Bay region. It is especially helpful for both plan- ning and maintaining the flow of maritime commerce, during periods of disturbed weather conditions." "This study validated what we have been hearing for some time," said Mike Szabados, director of the NOAA's Ocean Service Center for Operational Oceano- graphic Products and Services. The most significant change in maritime shipping operations in the bay in the 1990s occurred when Har- bor pilots onboard vessels began using portable com- puters to access PORTS in real-time. During this time, groundings decreased by half. With tankers accounting for 2,200 transits per year, the 50% reduction in ground- ings translates into a conservative estimate of $2.8 mil- lion in avoided costs annually. The PORTS© system was installed in Tampa in 1990. The system provides real-time data available to load ships to drafts 12 inches or more above what had been considered the safe guideline. The additional capacity for the phosphate trade alone in Tampa Bay could equal an increased benefit of $1.1 million each year. Even though hazardous chemical spills in Tampa Bay are rare, at a conservative estimate the additional effi- ciency and accuracy of applying these data would avoid nearly $1.8 million per year in losses. PORTS data are used to enhance area weather and coastal marine forecasts, particularly coastal flooding. Tampa Bay is considered one of the most storm surge threatened areas in the country because of its large coastal population and its geography. Applying PORTS data risk formulas for forecasts in the area gives it an estimated yearly value of $2 million. The report was authored by Hauke Kite-Powell, Ph.D., of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute Marine Policy Center, who designed the method of identifying as well as collecting and quantifying the data. The Tampa study was the first application of the methodology which NOAA plans to use in evaluation of PORTS systems in Houston and New York in 2006. PORTS systems also operate in San Francisco Bay; Chesapeake Bay, which serves Delaware, Maryland and Virginia; Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island; Soo Locks, Michigan; Los Angeles/Long Beach, California; Delaware River and Bay; Tacoma, Washington; Port of Anchorage, Alaska; New Haven, Connecticut and the Lower Columbia River, bordering Oregon and Wash- ington. 8• MarineNews • February, 2006 NEWS Circle 204 on Reader Service Card RIGHT PARTS, RIGHT PRICE, RIGHT NOW Warehouse Direct Heavy Duty In-Frame Overhaul Kits, Tractor and Marine Engine Parts * In-Frame Rebuild Kits Include: Cylinder Assemblies, Rod Bearings, Main Bearings, Head Gasket Set and Oil Pan Gaske * These Kits Do Not Include Main Bearings or * Prices May Vary Depending * Trunk Style 1 Piece Piston **X Head 2 Piece Piston Oil Pan Gaskets* on “CPL” Number Caterpillar Cummins Detroit Diesel 1160 $745 4B,4BT,4BTA,3.9 $445 2-53 $265 6V71X $942** 1693 $1,875 6B,6BT,6BTA,5.9 $557 3-53 $375 6V92N/T $1,177 3204 $495 6C,6CT,6CTA,8.3 $1,345 4-53 $524 8.2NA $877 3208 (2R) $705 L10 $1,175 6V53 $775* 8.2T $887 3208 (3R) $775 N14 $1,275 6V53X $1,094** 8V71 $1,069* 3304 $675 N14 Dual-Ni $1,375 8V53 $1,040* 8V71X $1,375** 3306 $988 N743 $1,065 8V53X $1,455** 8V92N/T $1,486 3406 $1,445 855 Prem $725 2-71 $310 12V71 $1,493* 3408 $2,075 855 Prem + $775 3-71 $412* 12V71X $1,875** 3412 $3,025 855 Dual-Ni $845 3-71X $512** 12V92N/T $2,365 D342 $2429* VT378 $659 4-71 $498* 12V149 $10,345 D379 $3,182* VT504 $925 4-71X $646** 16V71 $1,965* D398 $4,627* VT555 $1,075 6-71 $795* 16V71X $2,742** D399 $6,519* VT903 $1,525 6-71X $885** 16V92N/T $3,122 G379 $3,394* KT/KTA19 $2,420* 6V71 $795* 16V149 $12,985 G398 $5,361* KT/KTA38 $5,220* G399 $6,936* KT/KTA60 $7,450* VTA1710 $3,975 TO $4,975* BTMC CORP. BTMC CORP. MIAMI (614) 891-1454 (800) 343-6381 Fax (614) 891-6912 (305) 805-2010 Fax (305) 805-0630 www.btmccorp.com e-mail btmccorp@btmccorp.com Se Habala Espanol We Export MarineNews NOAA Study Shows Value of PORTS Program FEBRUARY MN2006 1(1-8).qxd 2/4/2006 10:40 AM Page 8
