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Avondale Shipyards Launches Destroyer Escort Valdez District of New Mexico. Comdr. Sam Hill Ray, S.J., USNR (ret.), Chaplain, Navy League of the Greater New Orleans Area, gave the in- vocation. Phil Isadore Valdez was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for conspicuous gal- lantry and intrepidity in action on the morning of January 29, 1967 while serving with Com- pany "B", First Battalion, First Marines, in the vicinity of Danang, Republic of Vietnam. The Valdez (DE-1096), a destroyer of a new class, is one of a series of 27 DEs being built by Avondale Shipyards under multiple year ship procurement contracts awarded in 1964 and 1966. This ship is designed for optimum performance in locating and destroying sub- marines. Integral bow-mounted long-range sonar, variable depth sonar and gyrostabilizers The Valdez (DE-1096), a destroyer of a new class, is launched at the Main Yard of Avondale Shipyards. The Destroyer Escort Valdez (DE-1096), named in honor of the late Hospital Corpsman Third Class Phil Isadore Valdez, was launched March 24 at Avondale Shipyards, Inc., New Orleans, La., a subsidiary of the Ogden Cor- poration. Christening the vessel was Mrs. Carlos Valdez, mother of the late Petty Officer Valdez. Her maid of honor was Miss Josie Valdez. Principals of the launching included Edwin Hartzman, president of Avondale Shipyards, Inc.; Capt. J.W. Lisanby, USN, Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Conversion and Repair, Eighth Naval District; Rear Adm. Stanley S. Fine, USN, Deputy Commander for Plans, Pro- grams, and Financial Management, Naval Ship Systems Command, Washington, D.C., and as principal speaker, Manuel Lujan, Re- publican Congressman, First Congressional Principals of the launching included (left to right): Rear Adm. Stanley S. Fine, USN, Deputy Commander for Plans, Programs, and Financial Management, Naval Ship Sys- tems Command; Mrs. Carlos Valdez, sponsor; The Honor- able Manuel Lujan, Republican Congressman, First Con- gressional District of New Mexico, and Edward Hartz- man, president, Avondale Shipyards. provide for improved seaworthiness and in- creased antisubmarine warfare capabilities over previous DEs. The Valdez is 438 feet in length, with a beam of 47 feet, and is capable of attaining speeds in excess of 25 knots. Her total complement consists of 19 officers and 226 men. Ships of her type have many traits of the swift and deadly destroyer. They can operate as a unit of a Hunter-Killer Task Group, screen amphibious or under way replenishment forces, patrol coastal waters for missiLe-firing submarines (continental defense), or escort military convoys. Like the destroyer, the escort ship is extremely versatile, capable of conduct- ing search, patrol, rescue, evacuation, block- ade, visit-and-search, or surveillance opera- tions. Avondale is a subsidiary of Ogden Corpora- tion, which operates in the major market areas of metals, transportation, food products, lei- sure, real estate development, and finance. Og- den reported sales of $1,073 billion in 1972. Ryan Enterprises Installs Oil Condition Indicator Kits Ryan Enterprises, P.O. Box 475, La Mesa, Calif. 92041, has announced installation of its Oil Condition Indicator Kits on main propul- sion diesels (645 Electro-Motive) aboard large tuna vessels in San Diego, Calif. These kits are tied into main lubrication systems and at a glance can monitor the con- dition of lube oil for fuel dilution, water or any contamination which affects viscosity of oil. Several offshore drilling companies have ordered these Ryan kits for installation on all types of diesels. Not only are they adaptable to diesels, but to any type lubrication system which has a system pressure between 10 to 100 psi. Marine Technology Society Conference Program Announced —Sept. 10-12 In Wash., D.C. The program for the ninth annual Marine Technology Society conference features papers on some of the most controversial issues fac- ing the marine community today. The questions posed by prospective offshore port development, the clash of competing in- terests for use of the coastal zone, pollution control demands, and the impact of current in- ternational law of the sea debate are among the topics to be covered in technical sessions. The conference will be held at the S'heraton- Park Hotel in Washington, D.C., September 10 to 12. Other major topics' to be covered at the meet- ing include a look at water transportation as a solution to urban congestion, discussion of recreation and travel uses of the marine en- vironment, the economics of marine resource development, some of the uses to which marine technology is being put and the condition of the American merchant marine industry. The Marine Technology Society is a 5,000- member interdisciplinary society for scientists, engineers, social scientists and others profes- sionally interested in marine affairs. It was founded in 1963 to serve as a forum for ocean- ography debate. Principal activities, beyond sponsorship of an annual conference and ex- position, include specialty meetings and pub- lications, a newsletter and journal, support of national and foreign local sections, and pro- fessional committees and service as a clearing- house for ocean information. On the conference opening day, a special afternoon presentation by leading Federal of- ficials on issues and trends will be featured. Names of the participants will be announced later. Also, a special guest speaker is planned for the conference luncheon on Wednesday. A major innovation of this year's conference is the scheduling of a university-sponsored short course in conjunction with the annual program. "Planning for Offshore Ports" is the course title. Organized by the University of Delaware and Texas A&M University, the course runs for five days, September 10 to 14, and will be held at the conference hotel. Regis- tration is $225, including materials. Other features of the conference planned by the program committee headed by Stewart B. Nelson of the Oceanographer of the Navy's Office include: The third annual MTS Memorial Lecture, to honor the late Dr. William T. Pecora, for- mer Under Secretary of the Department of the Interior. Last year's lecture discussed the con- tributions of Columbus Iselin, one-time direc- tor of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and the first MTS lecture saluted Dr. Wilbert Chapman and Dr. Milner Schaefer. An "early bird" reception on Sunday, Septem- ber 9, at 5 p.m., for early conference arrivals. "Marine Expo" exhibit to include presenta- tions by hardware manufacturers and suppliers to the maritime industry. A president's reception to 'be held at the ex- hibit area on Tuesday, beginning at 4:30 p.m. This feature is one of several steps being taken to put new life into the exhibition portion of the conference. A marine film festival, patterned after last year's successful introductory show, is again planned for Monday evening. Following the conference, a series of special workshops are planned at the hotel. Included is a shirt-sleeve session on advanced marine vehicles which will examine progress being made with hydrofoils and surface effect ships. J.L. Shuler of the Naval Ship Systems Com- mand is arranging the workshop. Other workshops will be conducted by MTS professional committees and will deal with such topics as water-quality, oceanographic gear, and ocean economics. Organizations which are currently participat- ing in this year's annual event to help broaden interest and attendance are: American Associ- ation of Port Authorities, American Institute of Merchant Shipping, American Waterways Operators, -National Fisheries Institute, Na- tional Ocean Industries Association, National Recreation and Park Association, The Propel- ler Club of the United States, and Shipbuilders Council of America. The complete list of technical sessions in- cludes: Development of Ports, Harbors and Offshore Facilities (two sessions); Transfer of Technology to the Marine Industry; The Role of Ocean Science: Past, Present and Future; Marine Recreation and Tourism; How the Market Place Governs the Development of Marine Resources; Education, Training and Manpower—'Needs and Incentives; Coastal Zone: Methods of Resolving Conflicts Between Industrial and Public Needs (two sessions) ; Marine Transit Systems (Nearshore and In- land Waterways); Marine Technology: Prob- lems and Opportunities (two sessions) ; Pollu- tion Control and Abatement; The Strategic Importance of the Maritime Industry to Na- tional, Economic and Military Security; Im- plications of Existing and Pending Legal Regimes and Regulations on the Marine In- dustry; Marine Safety and Navigation; Sea Grant Contributions to the Marine Industry; Current Research in Marine Science and Cur- rent Research in Marine Technology. Serving as conference advisors are: Herbert Brand, president, Transportation Institute; Charles H. Bussmann, publisher, Underseas Technology; Edwin Hood, president, Ship- builders Council of America; E.W. Seabrook Hull, editor, Ocean Science News; George H. Miller, Naval Assistant to the Administrator, Maritime Administration; O. William Moody Jr., administrator, Maritime Trades Depart- ment, AFL/CIO; Dr. William A. Nierenberg, chairman, National Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere; Leon J. Weddig, ex- ecutive director, National Fisheries Institute, and Donald Taylor, editor, Ocean Industry. 12 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
