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Keel unit weighing 236 tons is placed on ways at Todd Pacific yard in San Pedro. This is first of 59 units that will comprise new 351!/2-foot midbody section for Matson Navigation's Matsonia that will triple her cargo capacity. Keel Laid At Todd San Pedro Yard For Matsonia's New Midbody Section Conversion of Matson Navigation Company's RO/RO trailership Mat- sonia to a combination RO/RO and LO/LO container carrier is prolressing on schedule as the 236- ton keel unit of the ship's new mid- body section was placed on the building ways at Todd Pacific Ship- yard in San Pedro, Calif. This is the first of 59 units that will comprise a 351 Vi -foot section that will replace a 291V2 -foot midsection that will be removed from the vessel, increasing her present length of 700 feet to 760 feet. Launching of the new midbody section is scheduled for January 1987, with the ship redelivered to Matson in May to join the compa- ny's West Coast-Hawaii fleet, with cargo capacity tripled to accommo- date more than 1,200 containers, plus trailers, automobiles, and bulk molasses. During the period of midbody construction, major modifications will be occuring aboard the ship as she is afloat at the shipyard. Engine room alterations will be made to improve fuel efficiency, and a four- tier auto garage will be installed on the after deck. After the midbody is launched, the Matsonia will be raised out of the water by Todd's Synchrolift sys- tem and hauled on rail-mounted cradles to the shoreside work plat- form where cutting of the hull and inserting of the new midbody will take place. The Todd rail system is ideal for this type of work because of its ability to manueuver large vessel sections laterally in and out of posi- tion. The Matsonia will be ready for relaunching in March next year, and after two months of reactivation op- Dravo Mechling Charters Former National Marine Service Tank Barge Fleet Dravo Mechling Corporation, New Orleans-based subsidiary of Dravo Corporation of Pittsburgh, became the nation's biggest inland tank barge operator when it char- tered 141 units formerly operated by National Marine Service of St. Louis. Keel section of new midbody is certified by Mrs Marge Haskell, wife of Matson senior vice president (engineering and marine op- erations) Arthur J. Haskell. At left is Len Thorell, vice president and general man- ager of Todd's San Pedro yard. erations and sea trials will be ready to resume service. For further information on Todd Pacific's San Pedro yard, Circle 25 on Reader Service Card National Marine's parent compa- ny, NICOR Inc., recently sold the barges and three towboats to a pri- vate investor group. Dravo then ac- quired the vessels on short-term charters. The move more than dou- bles the company's tank barge fleet, which now totals about 240 units. Dravo now operates about 700 barges of all types, and more than 40 towboats. Circle 165 on Reader Service Card PUT US TO THE TEST OCEAN FLEETS SERVICES The cost of fuel and lube oil is your largest fleet operat- ing expense. And contamination can add staggering costs in engine damage and downtime. To keep costs as low as possible, turn to Ocean Fleets Services. Our 125 years of experience in ship maintenance can help you with: • On-Shore Fuel Testing. Call ourTelex number from any major bunkering port, and we'll pick up a fuel sample at your ship, analyze it in our lab within 24 hours af- ter receipt and get the results to you immediately. • On-Shore Lube Oil Testing. Satisfy survey require- ments of classification societies. Eliminates time- consuming, costly tear-downs to determine condi- tions of equipment. Ocean Fleets Services can also help you with fuel selec- tion, on-board trouble shooting, personnel training and fuel systems design and modification. Call or write. OCEAN FLEETS SERVICES P.O. Box 247, Thorofare, NJ 08086 Telephone: 1-609-848-2913 DEL GAVIO MARINE HYDRAULICS, INC. SERVICE • CONSULTING • PARTS Complete Repairs On All Types of Electro Hydraulic Steering Systems Hydraulic Pump Testing, Rebuilding For Certification 24 Hour Service, Worldwide 207 West Central Ave., Maywood, N.J. 07607 Telephone: (201) 843-4700 Telex: 132610 DELMARINE JOINER BULKHEADS THE NAVY'S LIGHTEST AND STRONGEST HONEYCOMB BULKHEAD PANELS - (Meets U.S. Navy Specs) 'Corrosion Resistant 'Lightweight 'High Strength/Weight Ratio 'Decorative Aluminum 'Steel 'Stainless Steel * , ® GRP/Nomex TYPICAL APPLICATIONS: *M.J. Bulkheads 'Berthing Partitions Shower Enclosures 'Work Stations Waterclosets 'False Decks Circle 333 on Reader Service Card Circle 155 on Reader Service Card 10 AVAILABLE WITH ALUM., CRES & GRP ERECTION MEMBERS ff|L ADVANCED STRUCTURES CORP. 235 WEST INDUSTRY COURT DEER PARK, NEW YORK 11729 516-667-5000 NOMEX *ARAMID IS A TRADEMARK OF DUPONT Circle 246 on Reader Service Card Maritime Reporter/Engineering News