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MARITIME REPORTER & ENGINEERING NEWS EDITOR'S NOTE The U.S. commercial shipbuilding effort received yet another major boost with the recent order for two tankers from ARCO for Avondale Industries. While some industry analysts have derided the contract's $332 million price tag as too high, it seems the unique design of the ships — including a redundant machinery package — justifies the expenditure. The U.S. ship and boatbuilding industry's recent success is a major focus of this edition. The main story, which highlight the diversity of products and services delivered by the U.S.' large and medium-sized yards, starts on page 25. While the Maritime Administration's popular Title XI loan guarantee program has worked well in helping to deliver shipyard upgrades and vessel contracts to U.S. builders, another piece of pending legislation could similarly help drive business for the next five years. H.R. 1630, the Ferry Intermodal Transportation Act, was introduced in mid-May. According to Art Dimopoulos, a lawyer with Washington, D.C.-based Fort & Schlefer, LLP, the act is indicative of the U.S. Congress' recent attention to maritime matters in the U.S. H.R. 1630 provides for a total of $90 million to be made available to the Secretary of Transportation for extensive feasibility, logistical and related studies, including identifying potential domestic ferry routes. The act would deliver $35 million, over a five-year span, for a program similar to the Title XI loan guar- antee program — with the exception that application and compliance process would be simplified. The $35 million appropriation authorizes MarAd to provide guarantees valued in excess of $2.5 billion, or more than $500 million per year from 1998 to 2002. (Note: Mr. Dimopoulos is a regular legislative columnist in MRJEN's new sister publication, Maritime Week. If you would like a free trial subscription, fax or e-mail your contact information to my attention.) While H.R. 1630 may help provide for the U.S.' maritime future, a recent find at the bottom of Lake Champlain puts the focus squarely on the U.S.' maritime past. Associate Editor Nina Miller's story, start- ing on page eight, details the high-tech search for and discovery of a 220-year-old gunboat, in near pris- tine condition. Having served as one of 15 vessels in Benedict Arnold's fleet during the American Revolution, the gunboat is now being hailed as one of the most exciting maritime finds in 50 years. Gregory R. Trauthwein, editorial director Please contact me with any comments regarding the publication and/or news leads at: tel: +212-477-6700; fax: +212-254-6271; or e-mail: trauthwein@marinelink.com in Maritime Reporter SEPTEMBER Marine Propulsion Technology Information Technology Tanker Technology SNAME Preview Country Focus: Canada SotmatDG] I N. American Shallow Draft Business Australian Maritime Review Fast Craft Design Marine Financial Annual Country Focus: Spain OCTOBER International Workboat Show Preview NOVEMBER Nav/Com Equipment Guide Marine Environmental Offshore Technology Review Regional Focus: BENELUX DECEMBER Great Vessels of 1997 Software Solutions Ship & Boatbuilding Technology Country Focus: Japan Editorial & Executive Offices 118 E. 25th St., NY, NY 10010 Tel: (212) 477-6700; Fax: (212) 254-6271; e-mail: mren@marinelink.com PUBLISHERS Charles P. O'Malley John E. O'Malley John C. O'Malley Vice President Gregory R. Trauthwein EDITORIAL Editorial Director Gregory R. Trauthwein Senior Editor Bridget Murphy Associate Editor Nina D. Miller Production Editor Anthony Besada Technical Editor David Tinsley International Editor Alan Thorpe Editorial Consultant James R. McCaul, president, International Maritime Associates MARKETING Marketing Manager Lois A. Stiglmeier Marketing Assistant Colleen R. Bennett PRODUCTION Production Manager Adam Hellman Asst. Production Manager S. Erica Kim CIRCULATION Circulation Manager Dale L. Barnett ADVERTISING SALES Regional Sales Manager Lucia Annunziata Regional Sales Manager Christopher Goldsholl Regional Sales Manager Jean M. Vertucci Classified Sales Representative Carrie Rivera U.S. GULF COAST James N. McClintock Simpson Corporate Park, Indigo House, Suite A, 206 South Tyler Street, Covington, La. 70433 Telephone: (504) 893-5099; Fax: (504) 893-5024 Advertising Sales Information Telephone: +212-4/77- 6700 8 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News