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offer to educate companies on the ins and outs of NRDA. He said that NOAA experts are will- ing to visit industry offices at agency expense "in order to put to rest some of those concerns," and suggested that BIMCO become involved in arranging NOAA meetings with maritime interests in Europe and Asia — a proposition met with approval by those present at the meeting. On April 3 in Washington, D.C., a petition was filed with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals asking for review of the procedures under which the final rule establishing NRDA was promulgated by NOAA. WQIS and AIMU are the petitioners, represented by Marilyn L. Lytle, partner, Thacher Profitt & Wood — who hinted that action would be taken regarding alleged shortcomings of the regulations at BIMCO's March 21 meeting. According to a release circulated to the press SAJ Instruments has introduced a new design of its dynamic Trim/Heel measuring system which can also be used as the basis for measuring real-time hull deflections. SAJ introduced a dynamic trim measuring device in the 1980s, and the latest version — TLC-2001 — is also designed to provide an efficient and cost-effective means of dynamic measuring hull deflection and torsion, both in port and at sea. The development project was supported by The Finnish Technology Development Centre. The SAJ solution requires only the fitting of two of the company's latest dynamic trim/heel measuring sensors. No bottom intakes are required, making the system report- edly easy to install in either newbuildings or as a retrofit. The accu- racy of the new TLC-2001 sensor has been increased by a factor of on the day the petition was filed, AIMU President Walter M. Kramer was credited as saying: "In our nearly one hundred year histo- ry, we have never challenged existing regula- tions before ... But the seriousness of this situ- ation calls for unprecedented action ... This is a serious problem from an insurance point of view because it will be difficult, if not impossi- ble, to anticipate costs and create proper reserves." He added, "The position of the American marine insurance market is clear. Only provable damages should be recoverable and assessments should be used to restore the impacted resources." While NOAA officials would probably agree with Mr. Kramer's last comment, the legislation will undoubtedly stay in the hot seat as industry and government learn to cooperate, or compromise, with a goal towards protecting public resources and pri- vate reserves. 10, and this has enabled the company to accurately measure the bending and twisting moments, i.e. hog, sag and torsion. Deflection and torsion data are provided in centimeters and degrees, respec- tively, to an extremely high degree of accuracy: +/- 0.001° of deflection and +/- 0.0025° of torsion. Included free with the optional SAJ Draft measurement system is the Windows-based software "PRO-HYDRO Lite." This allows the presentation of all output values on a standard PC screen. Alternatively, an extended version of PRO-HYDRO provides on-line hydrostatic data. For more information on SAJ Instrument Circle 120 on Reader Service Card RTK Helps Speed Up Survey Pictured is the RTK 607 survey craft. Poole-based boatbuilder RTK Marine has constructed a specialist survey craft for Western Geophysical survey company. The RTK 607 model was reportedly selected due to its seakeeping qualities and large self-drain- ing deck. Designed for operation in extremely shallow waters, a waterjet propulsion system was installed on the vessel — a 230-hp Volvo engine coupled to a Hamilton waterjet. The operations cabin was mounted at the rear of the cabin to provide as much deck space as possible. Two crew operate the craft — a coxswain and a technician who has a dedicat- ed console for computers. The 607 will travel to the survey area at speeds of 25 knots, and will work at slow speeds all day, before return- ing to its mothership. The RTK Series 6 craft complements the range of RTK Sea Trucks which are in operation worldwide in both mil- itary and commercial sectors, and which are suitable for various applications. For more information on RTK Circle 38 on Reader Service Card Now Measurement System Can Also Be Used For Measuring Real-Time Hull Deflections "BEST VALUE FOR MONEY" ASTANO ASTANDER CADIZ P.O. BOX 994 15080 Ferrol La Coruna - Spain Tel. (3481) 34 3211 Fax (3481) 34 3252 P.O. BOX 10 39080 El Astillero Cantabria - Spain ' Tel. (3442) 54 0050 Fax (3442) 54 0026 P.O. BOX 39 11080 Cadiz Spain Tel. (3456) 27 3350 Fax (3456) 27 8362 ASTILLEROS ESPANOLES May, 1996 Circle 208 on Reader Service Card 19
