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38 MTR May 2006 moment when the ship really begins to come to life, as the crew starts liv- ing and working aboard on a daily basis." Texas is in the final stages of con- struction at the company's Newport News sector. It is the second ship of the Virginia class and will be the first submarine delivered by Newport News since 1996. The next construction milestone is sea trials, an aggressive series of oper- ational tests to demonstrate the sub- marine's capabilities. Sea trials are scheduled for early May with delivery to the Navy in June. Northrop Grumman Newport News is teamed with General Dynamics Electric Boat to build the first 10 ships of the Virginia class. Current plans call for 30 Virginia- class submarines in the fleet. The first ship of the class, USS Virginia (SSN 774), was delivered in 2004 and is the first major combatant delivered to the U.S. Navy that was designed with the post-Cold War security envi- ronment in mind. The keel for Texas was laid on July 12, 2002, the ship was christened on July 31, 2004 and launched on April 9, 2005. AXYS Wins DFO CHS Contract The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) Quebec region selected AXYS Technologies Inc. (AXYS) of Sidney, B.C. to pro- vide 30 Data Acquisition Systems (DAS) for tide gauge monitoring on the St. Lawrence Seaway. AXYS will provide its WatchMan500 Data Acquisition Systems and Data Management Software (DMS) as part of the agreement. AXYS has also won an additional contract to help redesign the CHS tide gauge system enclosure. The CHS tide gauge infor- mation network (called SINECO) forms a crucial information compo- nent along the St. Lawrence Seaway. Data from the tide gauges is used by the Coast Guard to assist in Vessel Traffic Management along the St. Lawrence Seaway. Data from this net- work is also used for the planning and execution of the hydrographic survey work and the dredging of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Ship owners may also have access to the system data to ensure the optimal freight loading of their vessels. Ocean Legislations Hit Congress Representative Wayne Gilchrest (R- MD) introduced bipartisan legisla- tion to update the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), which gov- erns fishery management activities within the federal 200-mile limit through eight Regional Fishery Management Councils. Gilchrest's Twin Ultrajets for Forth Ports Survey Cat A new Ultrajet-powered 14.5-m Survey Catamaran designed by Global Marine Design Pty Ltd., Australia, has been delivered to its new owners Forth Ports Plc. The Twin UltraJet 340 jets controlled by an UltraJet Joystick control system and driven by Cummins diesel engines are designed to provide Calatria with exception- al maneuverability and ease of operation. Built by Auztek Engineering Ltd., based of Pembrokeshire, U.K., the vessel reportedly exceeded contract specifications in all aspects of performance and operation. Propulsion is provided by a pair of Cummins QSM 11 450 bhp (336 kW) diesel engines via Twin Disc MG5082SC gearboxes, coupled to twin UltraJet 340 water- jets. The UltraJets were supplied as a complete integrated package with jet-mounted hydraulic reversing system and electronic joystick control system. The jets deliver thrust for a maximum fully laden speed of 22 knots. Calatria's main duty will be the very accurate surveying of the shipping lanes on the Rivers Forth and Tay in Scotland. An ergonomically designed fatigue free seat allows the Helmsman to sit upright in a driving position. Survey data acquisition is carried out in the spacious cockpit. Electronic oceanographic monitoring hardware includes a tide monitor, echo sounder and Simrad radar. The GMD catamaran can be equipped for multipurpose roles, including patrol, rescue, diving, commercial and sports fishing purposes. Its shallow draft capability also allows the vessel to operate in very shallow waters. MTR#4 (33-48).qxd 5/8/2006 10:09 AM Page 38
