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Schiess-Defries Develops New Transfer System For Shipyards In conjunction with its delivery and installation of a 3,800-ton ring hull-section transfer and launching system for Bremer Vulkan AG, of Bremen, Germany, the engineering specialist Schiess-Defries GmbH, of Dusseldorf, has developed a unique transfer concept. Because air-cushion, water-cush- ion, walking or rail-borne systems were unable to satisfy the particular requirements of Bremer Vulkan's ap- plication, heavy loads will be trans- ferred through the shipyard on spe- cially coated slideways developed by Schiess-Defries. Loads of up to 4,000 metric tons will be carried by means of PTFE-pad equipped skids. These pads, for which the PTFE compound had been selected after extensive testing, will slide on coated steel plates, assisted by a lubri- cating film of special biological grease, along a total distance of approximately 1,247 feet. The frictional index for this combi- nation of materials will be below five p.c. under the prevailing conditions. The pulling or pushing processes will be effected synchronously by Schiess- Defries hydraulic mover units. Although the use of PTFE pads is widely known, the transfer system at Bremer Vulkan will be the first in the world of that size to be installed into a permanent industrial production pro- cess and to operate under the si conditions of a shipyard environi For more information about Scl Defries and its new shipyard trai system, Circle 98 on Reader Service Card Commercial Insurers May Provide Tanker Coverage To End OPA90 Impasse Despite Oil Pollution Act of IS requirements that all tanker opei tors provide certificates of financ responsibility showing that they pc sess the resources to clean up c spills, many tankers continue to ope ate in U.S. waters without complyii with the legislation. Each side of the government/ii dustry equation is currently blamin the other for this, with the U.S. Coa: Guard accusing insurers of blockin the financial responsibility prograr, and insurers blaming the law itsel for being unworkable. However, tht stand-off may soon be ended by ar unusual move by insurance broken to encourage commercial insurance underwriters to provide the neces- sary financial responsibility guaran- tees. According to the insurance brokers who are backing the plan, they will be much more selective about their clients than the P&I clubs have been, meaning that tanker operators with poor safety records or substan- dard ships could find coverage to be either unavailable or too expensive. Coast Guard Concludes Double-Hulls Best Tanker Design Alternative According to a Secretary of Trans- portation report presented to Con- gress on alternatives to double hull design, the double-hull tank vessel design offers unmatched protection against the risk of oil spills due to groundings, the most common form of casualty in U.S. waters. Section 4115 of the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 required the Secretary to determine whether other structural or operational requirements for tank vessels would provide protection to the marine environment equivalent to or greater than that provided by double hulls and to recommend to Congress appropriate legislation. The Secretary's study, conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard, recommended no modifications to the double hull re- quirements of OPA 90. The Coast Guard's findings were based on the Marine Board of the National Academy of Sciences' 1991 study "Tanker Spills: Prevention by Design," a comparative study on tank vessel design coordinated by the In- ternational Maritime Organization, and a research and development project conducted by Herbert Engineering Corporation, which used computer modeling to study oil outflow from various tank vessel design when the hull sustains damage. Maritime Reporter/Engineering News KAHLENBERG BROS.CO MARINE PRODUCTS SINCE 1895 Kahlenbeig has developed a triple chimetone air / steam whistle for the latest of gambling, excursion / dinner boats. This 442 lb. whistle will simply make your hair stand up straight with its beautiful sound. Contact Kahlenberg for the next air / steam whistle for your Stem Wheeler Bring back the nostalgia of the Mississippi River during her steamboat days. CALL KAHLENBERG TODAY. ( 414 ) 793-4507 Fax: (414 )793-1346 P.O. 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Circle 207 on Reader Service Card Original GEMS DIPSTICK Liquid Level Indicators I Ideal for Closed Loading I Non-Electric I Lengths to 15 feet I Backed by 35 years of experience — Color Coded "Stick" Highly Visible Stainless Cap Seals Unit Completely Sealed For Environmental Protection Rugged. ;; Stainless Steel Call Toll-Free for more information 800-321-6070 IMO Imo Industries Inc. Gems Sensors Division One Cowles Road Plainville, CT 06062 203-747-3000 FAX: 203-747-4244 T021 Circle 318 on Reader Service Card Circle 221 on Reader Service Card 100
