View non-flash version
Advisory Committee Organized To Develop Vessel Traffic System For New York Harbor Capt. K.C. Torrens (left) and Adm. John M. Will, USN (ret.), (right), two members of the committee, pose with Vice Adm. B.F. Engel, Commander, Atlantic Area/3rd Coast Guard Dist. at his headquarters on Governors Island, N.Y. A major step to create a "vessel traffic sys- tem" for waterborne commerce in the waters of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey was taken on April 6, when 14 represen- tatives of Federal and state governments as well as local maritime interests met for the first time as an advisory committee to the U.S. Coast Guard at. Governors Island, N.Y. Showing a good cross section of maritime in- terests, the representatives will form the "New York Harbor Vessel Traffic Advisory Commit- tee" and will work with the Coast Guard in •building a long-range vessel traffic system to promote safety in the port. Chairman of the committee is retired Navy Adm. John M. Will, who is on the Board of Commissioners of Pi- lots for New York State. Other members of the committee include: Capt. Thomas A. King from the Commerce Department's Maritime Administration; Capt. K.C. Torrens from the American Institute of Merchant Shipping; Navy Capt. R.D. Sante from' the Military Seal if t Command; Capt. Steven M. Seledee from the American Institute of Marine Underwriters; Army Col. Harry W. Lombard, district engineer from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; Commodore Frank Lind- ner from the Long Island Sound Commodores'- Association; Alfred Hammon from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey; Howard Lamp'l from the Federal Environ- mental Protection Agency; Capt. Harry C. Breitenfeld from the United New York Sandy Hook Pilots' Association; Capt. William H. Burrill from the Board of Commissioners of Pi- lots for New Jersey; Robert Sanders from the New York Panel, Marine Towing and Trans- portation Industry; Capt. L.T. Earl from the United New Jersey Sandy Hook Pilots' Associ- ation, and Capt. James C. Stillwaggon from the Interport Pilots' Association. "This first meeting served to get us all ac- quainted," Comdr. H.A. Pledger, chief of the Third District's Readiness Division and pro- ject officer for the vessel traffic system said. "We are planning our first real 'working' session on June 20 on Governors Island," he continued, "where we'll get into the business of exploring just what kind of a traffic system the harbor really needs." Commander Pledger is also serving as coordinator of the commit- tee's activities. Vessel traffic systems now operate in San Francisco and Puget Sound, with others plan- ned for Houston and New Orleans as well as New York. In both San Francisco and Puget Sound, the system involves the use of radar and shipboard radiotelephones which channel ships' positions into a Coast Guard-manned "operations center." There, the ships' progress through the harbor is traced, and Coast Guard duty officers can alert the ships' masters and pilots to any danger. "Exactly what form the system will take in New York Harbor will be developed by the committee," Commander Pledger said, adding that the committee was hopeful of getting some preliminary stages of the vessel traffic system in operation by late spring of 1974. Camlock Develops Quick Acting Couplings A quick means of securing flanges and cover plates in piping circuits and chemical transfer systems has been developed by the Camlock Flange Sales Corp., 449 Sheridan Boulevard, In- wood, N.Y. 11696. The system uses a limited number of steel helical cams instead of bolts, and incorporates an already positioned "Q" ring gasket of a material selected to suit the nature and properties of the fluid to be handled. A standard ASA mating flange is faced to the Camlock Flange, which is self-locating, and a turn by hand of less than one revolution sets each cam and locks the two flanges in a leak-proof seal. Camlock Couplings are hydrostatically tested to 450 pounds per square inch, and are supplied in the standard form for working pressures of 150 ASA.' Greater pressures can be accommodated by the use of heavier flanges and additional cams. On transfer hose lines and similar applications, the average time required to secure an eight-inch hose connection is less than one minute, with break-away time considerably less. The helical cam design provides an area contact of considerable efficiency, and the purchase area of three cams, typical for an eight or 10-inch flange, is greater than that given by standard bolting. The coupling can be supplied with studs to secure it permanently to an existing drilled flange, or with a welding or screw neck. Pipe bores in the standard form range from three to 28 inches. Cam units can also be supplied for welding to existing flange equipment and pressure chambers, where quick opening and closing are required. Camlock Couplings have also increased safety and proved economical when used on extremely low temperature applications, combustible or in- flammable liquid petroleum and chemical products. The cryogenic version or the standard Camlock Coupling is constructed with materials that remain unaffected by extremes of temperature. Where flanged connections in conditions of severe frost build up are required, hydraulic actuators can be fitted to assist the operator and facilitate flange break-away. "THAT^ J63/-ALWAYS LOOK/rff AT Halter Marine Delivers New Tug/Supply Vessel For Gulf Of Mexico Service The 1 70-foot Jesse Mechem is providing supply and an- chor handling services to Shell Oil's operations in the Gulf of Mexico. Gulf Overseas Marine Corporation has placed into service a new 170-foot tug/supply vessel, the M/V Jesse Mechem, operating for Shell Oil Company in Morgan City, La. The Mechem is powered by two GM 16-V-149 TI diesel engines providing a continuous rating in excess of 2,500 horsepower, driving through Lufkin RS 2512 re- duction gears equipped with shaft brakes and controlled with Mathers Air Controls. Built by Halter Marine in Lockport, La., the vessel has in hull dry-bulk tanks, along with a large clear deck capacity. The vessel is equipped with a S MAT CO 225,000# line pull double-drum towing and anchor handling winch with stern roller and complete anchor handling gear. The size, horsepower, carrying capacities, and towing and anchor handling capabilities make the Mechem one of the most versatile vessels sailing in service to the offshore oil industry in the Gulf of Mexico today. Gulf Overseas Marine will shortly be placing into service a sister ship of the Mechem, the M/V Titusville. WANTED A young mechanical engineer to work himself into posi- tions of authority with small well established manufacturer of marine rigging equipment. Must be interested in product design and selling among other activities. Box 518 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News 107 East 31 Street New York, N.Y. 10016 WANTED LICENSED CHIEF ENGINEERS WITH DIESEL AND AM- MONIA REEFER KNOWLEDGE WANTED. FISHING EX- PERIENCE ALSO A HELP. FOR EXPANDING WORLDWIDE TUNA FISHING COMPANY. HARD WORK WITH EXCEL- LENT BENEFITS. SEND RESUME TO: CHIEF OF ENGI- NEERING, WESTGATE TERMINALS, INC., 2025 E. BELT STREET, SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA 92113. MAJOR EAST COAST SHIPBUILDER REQUIRES STRUCTURAL PLANNERS Must be experienced in all phases of hull construction. Challenging assignments on long term V.L.C.C. contracts are offered. Good working conditions and fringe benefits. Send resume including salary history to Box 515 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News 107 East 31 Street New York, N.Y. 10016 An Equal Opportunity Employer SUPERINTENDENT OF TOPSIDE REPAIR FACILITY Man experienced in repair and conver- sion of Naval Vessels. Excellent Southeast location. Salary commensurate with abili- ty and experience. Box 516 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News 107 East 31 Street New York, N.Y. 10016 May 15, 1973 45