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EDITOR'S NOTE i a recent walk through the streets t town near my home, I ran •oss this sign. The sign, situated on a residen- l corner in the town of Babylon, Y., is a landmark I have surely •sed without notice at least a zen times before. By luck or fate, oticed it on this day, and was npelled to run home to get my camera, for this sign — in a way — bodies much of what the editors of Maritime Reporter & Engineering :ws have prepared for the fuly issue. Technological advances — affecting both owners and builders —in many •as of the maritime industry over just the past decade have been astound- r to say the least. And it is the companies which embrace the cost-saving, 'ciency enhancing technologies today that will be around to compete norrow. Ship's communication is perhaps one of the most visible categories to antify these advances. As the sign states: "A pioneer station here in 1901 • t talked with ships at sea. " In a span of 94years, ship communication hnology has made quantum leaps, and today ships can communicate via :ce, fax or data transmission from virtually anywhere on the earth. What's ahead? Read our first-ever guide of satellite service providers, which starts on page 38, to find out. On another technological front, the advent of computer aided design and computer aided manu- facturing (CAD/CAM) is emerging as a primary means to enhance shipyard efficiency and advance safe ship designs. An article by Jonathan M. Ross, director of engineering, Proteus Engineering, discusses how medium and small-sized U.S. yards are following successful European examples to achieve this end. Many CAD/CAM system suppliers are rushing to fill this growing need, and the main story is followed by updates on new and improved programs. Maritime Reporter & Engineering News has a long and distinguished reputation as the primary information source to the maritime industry — an impossible feat without constant feedback from our readers. I welcome any and all comments or suggestions for future editorial coverage, and can be reached via phone, fax or mail (see page 7); or via e-mail at: SHIPWRITER@aol. com. I look forward to hearing from you. Greg Trauthwein, editor Blohm+Voss Blohm+Voss AG P.O.Box: 10 07 20 • 20005 Hamburg Phone: +49(40)3119-1366 Fax: +49(40)31 19 33 94 Circle 284 on Reader Service Card y, 1995 B SIMPLEX-COMPACT FIN STABILIZERS z Comfort and safety demands on cruise vessels and ferries are increasing. Blohm+Voss plays an important role in contributing to safety and therefore, comfort on such ships. The highly efficient fin stabilizers design of the SIMPLEX-COMPACT series fulfills all requirements regarding the reduction of roll. • Fully automatic adaptive control system • Highly efficient fin with anti-vortex tip • Low noise levels • SOLAS requirements fulfilled • Low weight • Low resistance resulting in low fuel consumption Custom-designed for each type of ship - Blohm+Voss fin stabilizers. SETTING THE PACE
