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Gladding-Hearn Delivers Two Launches To Virginia Pilots High-speed, all-aluminum launch Virginia is one of two com- pleted recently by Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding Corporation for Virginia Pilots Association. Both vessels are powered by GM Detroit Diesel Allison engines. No matter what line of business you're in, prompt and responsive service to your clients is an absolute essential. No one recognizes this fact more than the Virginia Pilots Asso- ciation of Norfolk, an organization that is con- tinually looking for ways to improve its oper- ations and better serve the ships that call at Virginia ports. In line with this philosophy, the VPA re- cently initiated a major change that will even- tually move its center of operations to a land- based control tower. To be built at Cape Henry, this modern, computerized tower will become headquarters for the Association, re- placing its 48-year-old pilot station vessel. Of course, when you plan to move your base of operations miles away from your actual sea duty area, you have to consider some other factors as well—like acquiring pilot boats that offer high speed, proven performance, and all- weather reliability. That's where Gladding- Hearn, the Somerset, Mass., shipbuilder came into the picture. Completing a contract awarded in the fall of 1982, Gladding-Hearn recently delivered two 51-foot, fast pilot launches to the VPA. The all-aluminum, twin-screw vessels will play a pivotal role in the new scheme of operations for the Virginia Pilots. Designed by C. Ray- mond Hunt Associates of Boston, and featur- ing the proven Hunt "Deep-Vee" planing hull, these high-performance craft have been put into service as the first phase of the major op- erational change. The new boats, named the Virginia and the Old Dominion, are the sixth and seventh in a class originally designed by Gladding-Hearn for the Delaware Bay Pilots. With a beam of 17 feet and draft of 4.5 feet, they have a top speed of 23 knots and will cruise at 20 knots. To be based at Lynnhaven River, the new launches will be directed by traffic controllers in the new land-based tower. The controllers will use the most modern guidance equipment and methods to coordinate arriving and de- parting ships with pilot assignments. Powered by twin GM Detroit Diesel Allison engines, each rated for 350 bhp at 2,100 rpm, the launches feature clear flush decks and an amidships wheel house with cabin-top board- ing platform. The hot-water-heated deck house provides raised reclining seats for four (in- cluding helmsman), as well as a full-width bench seat, and a full complement of instru- mentation and communication/navigation equipment. Accommodations include two set- tee berths, head, and wash basin. The Hunt-designed hull comprises four wa- tertight compartments served by an engine- driven bilge pump. Forward and aft decks are fitted with safety handrails and have heated walkways for de-icing. A water-level rescue platform is recessed into the transom. The trend-setting change in operations being undertaken by the Virginia Pilots Association makes good sense in many ways—in econom- ics, efficiency, and operational safety. When the move ashore is completed, the high costs of maintaining its aging pilot station vessel (about $1 million a year) will be eliminated. Time will be saved for both the pilots and the vessels they serve, and pilots' exposure at sea in bad weather will be reduced significantly. VIRGINIA and OLD DOMINION Major Suppliers Main engines (2) Detroit Diesel Allison Reduction gears (2) Allison 1.97:1 Propellers (2) Columbia Propeller shafts (2) Armco Steering Hynautic Hydraulic Controls Morse Compass Ritchi Wheel Edson Radar Racal-Decca VHF radio Sailor Depth sounder Datamarine Kodiak Horn Raritan Coronado Bilge pump Jabsc Fire extinguishers Kidde Battery charger Pro-Mariner Searchlight Perko Navigation lights Aqua-Signal Wipers American Bosch Fendering Johnson Rubber Seating American Seating Mufflers Marine Mufflers Newfoundland's Windsor Cites $93 Million In New Projects Newfoundland's Minister of Development Neil Windsor (right) points to areas on map where investments of $93 million will be made in maritime-related improvements. At left is Eugene Becken, president of New York Rotary Club. In a recent speech before the New York Ro- tary Club, Neil Windsor, Minister of Devel- opment for Newfoundland, described some de- velopments representing $93 million in new maritime-related investments in his Cana- dian province. Mr. Windsor, whose province is approach- ing a North Sea size offshore oil boom, said that the new developments include a $30-mil- lion Syncrolift at the Newfoundland Dockyard in St. John's. That project, which just began operation, also features a side-transfer facil- ity, three repair berths, a 45-meter-high tower crane, and other equipment. A second project involves plans for a $7-mil- lion dock for the repair of offshore oil rigs at Marystown Shipyard Ltd., which builds sup- ply and service vessels. By reducing rig repair time by 40 percent, the proposed facility will save oil companies $100,000 a day. This dock will be the first of its type on the East Coast of North America. Mr. Windsor also reported that the con- struction of a $56-million Arctic Vessel and Marine Research Institute was proceeding on schedule and should be completed by Novem- ber 1984. When completed, the facility will in- clude one of the largest and most advanced ice tanks for arctic vessel research, permitting simulation of storm conditions with ship models up to 12 meters long. Hongkong United Yard Completes Steelwork Repairs To OCL Ship Hongkong United Dockyards Limited (HUD) recently completed steelwork repairs to the OCL vessel Strathettrick, which struck a sunken ship near Hong Kong in October. Damage was sustained to the shell, internals, and tank top in way of No. 2 and No. 3 holds over a length of approximately 30 meters (98.4 feet), and both of these holds were flooded. The contactor room for the heavy-lift crane was also flooded, and all electrical equipment was first overhauled to allow the heavy-lift cargoes and general cargo in the flooded holds to be off-loaded. Containers on deck in these two areas also had to be removed. When the vessel entered the dry dock, 10 shell plates, four tank top plates, and 39 floors in way of the damage were removed. Also par- tially replaced were 14 frames and brackets above the tank top. "fox Perm's sA/ee, - DOUr BLOW OUfctfOW/* Hull damage to Strathettrick caused flooding of two holds. 34 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News
