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Investment in Design same period. While the delta-shaped Ramform design, home-grown in Norway and used by PGS for the sextet of Ramform Explorer-class vessels from the Lang- sten group, is a mark of innovation in the field, the recently-delivered Geco Eagle has also introduced a distinctive new configuration to a vital offshore activity. The 10,500-gt, diesel-electric Geco Eagle has become the flagship in the 27- strong fleet controlled by Geco-Prakla, the seismic operating unit of Schlum- berger Oilfield Services. The distin- guishing feature of the 312 ft. (95-m) vessel is the lateral extension of the main deck structure aft, providing the requisite 'back-deck' width for the multi-streamer gear and associated equipment while ensuring a more hydro- dynamically-efficient stern. The twin- skeg, relatively shallow underwater aft form has been designed to minimize noise, given the need for quality data obtainable from the survey hydrophones. Constructed in Bergen by Mjellem & Karlsen, among the world's most prolif- ic builders of survey vessels, Geco Eagle has an outfit of 16 streamer winches on the main deck aft, with pro- vision for the tow to be increased to 20 streamers through deployment of lead- in winches either side of the gun deck. FastShip Signs With NASSCO For Construction Of Fleet Another step in a turnaround of com- mercial vessel building in the U.S. was reached last month, as FastShip announced that it has signed a Memo- randum of Understanding with National Steel and Shipbuilding Company (NASSCO), a subsidiary of General Dynamics, for the building of the first generation high-speed vessels com- prised of the FastShip trans-Atlantic transportation fleet. Under the proposed agreement, NASSCO, designer and builder of new ships headquartered in San Diego, will construct four revolutionary vessels in the FastShip fleet. The agreement estab- lishes a timeline to finalize a construc- tion contract to include definitive pric- ing, delivery schedule and performance guarantees. NASSCO has also agreed to consider a financing commitment to FastShip, Inc. FastShip will employ a time-definitive seven-day, door-to-door North Atlantic transportation network — linking the middle of Europe to the middle of the U.S. Trial operations will begin during the second half of 2002, with the initia- tion of commercial operations planned for commencement in early 2003. Powered by five marinized aero-deriv- ative gas turbines, each turbine will drive one Kamewa water jet, delivering a total of 250 MW or 335,000-hp. This package will therefore enable the 860 ft. (262 m) vessels, carrying a 10,000-ton payload to complete the passage from Philadelphia to Cherbourg in less than four days at speeds up to 40 knots. Circle 41 on Reader Service Card 12 LOOK FOR THE GRID... FIND FERNSTRUM QUALITY Circle 282 on Reader Service Card Tidewater Signs Agreement Of Intent Tidewater, Inc. has signed an agree- ment of intent to acquire six newbuild vessels from Hvide Marine Incorporat- ed, for an aggregate price of $22 mil- lion. Closing, which is expected some- time this month, is subject to customary due diligence matters, including execut- ing a definitive agreement and satisfac- tory inspections of the vessels by Tide- water. Maritime Reporter/Engineering News R.W. FERNSTRUM & COMPANY 1716 11th Avenue, Menominee, Ml 49858 Ph: 906-863-5553 Fax: 906-863-5634 Email: salesifernstrum.com They looked for the Grid. That's right, they all chose the Fernstrum GRIDCOOLER keel cooler to meet their engine's cooling needs. They know that the Fernstrum GRIDCOOLER keel cooler has proven to be the most dependable and cost efficient form of keel cooling available. Over 50 years ago, Robert Fernstrum set out to design a keel cooling system for U.S. Military landing craft. Today, the GRIDCOOLER keel cooler is known by coundess customers around the world for its durability, efficiency and ease of installation. With well over 20,000 models to choose from, Fernstrum has a keel cooling solution that's right for your application. Don't take chances with your engine's durability. Do it right the first time...Use Fernstrum GRIDCOOLER keel coolers. WHAT DO THESE B®ATS HAVE COMM0N? FERNSTRUM GRIDCOOLER
