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Investment in Design Vessel Safety Takes Center Stage By David Tinsley, technical editor shipping sector. The consensus view was of a need for a circumspect and proactive approach to operational safety issues, to better ensure the status quo as regards the good safety record demonstrated by the industry. In U.S. waters, it is understood that not a single passenger life has been lost over the past 16 years due to a casualty involving a large passengership. With the stakes being so high, not only in human terms, but also as regards the well being of shipping's most dynamic business segment, there can be no room for complacency, even if the safety statistics indicate that the industry must be doing a lot that is right and appropriate. Images brought to mind of possible situations where thousands of passengers and crew might have to be rapidly evacuated from a large cruise vessel in hostile At a recent industry gathering in London, a series of presenta- tions on passengership safety issues inevitably but rightly raised nightmare scenarios of mass evacuation. However, the tone set by the speakers and par- ticipants at the conference "Safety of large passenger ships — looking to the future" was pragmatic rather than alarmist. Organized by the Institute of Marine Engineers and the (U.K.) Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the event drew observations on safety matters and perceptions of upcoming needs from qualified pro- fessionals, in the light of major expansion in the cruise ^£>.6.1 Alstom's Mermaid podded propulsor. • =s. t ) I weather conditions, amid great confusion, at night, per- haps in an ocean area with no other ships in the imme- diate vicinity and distant from search and rescue (SAR) resources, will hopefully never become a picture in reality. But trends in cruise liner size, scale, complexity and numbers, passenger-to-crew ratios, and crewing aspects have set the alarm bells ringing, as have a num- ber of what might be termed close calls around the world in recent years. The manner in which certain incidents involving shipboard fire and other situations If you plan on building one of these, count on using one of these. They're Depending On You To Maintain Control Open seas: they're the toughest place on earth! Which is why crews need data displays and operator workstations that will stand up to anything, anywhere, any time. With almost two decades of experience, we've partnered with leading naval and marine suppliers to make ProPanel® the ideal solution for maritime control. Whether you're retrofitting a single ship or building a fleet, you can rely on ProPanel displays! • Small footprint, low profile: conserves valuable space on the bridge or below decks • Modular design and adaptive engineering services help create the perfect solution • Big, self-adjusting hi-brite display with touch screen option; reduces operator error • Barge tested and military certified reliable; stands up to shock and vibration • Integrated, fully-sealed design: withstands submersion, humidity and dust; even works in rollovers • Low-power design: extended MTBF, handles temperature extremes [ asBonSc •IHHIMIH I is f^mmmmmm n » A V Lloyds certifiable ProPanel displays ensure that crews stay in control, no matter how lough it gets. Get more inlormation today! Today's most profitable shipyards use state-of-the-art software programs for estimating, planning, purchasing, scheduling and forecasting. Now, the most powerful software is also the most readily available. SPAR's renown PERCEPTION® is affordable, user friendly and equally effective for large or small yards. Visit our website, www.sparusa.com for more information or send for our brochure and CD sampler. To make the most money in shipbuilding, you need i the best tools. Start by contacting SPAR today. SPAR Associates, Inc. • 927 West Street • Annapolis, MD 21401 410-263-8593 • fax: 410-267-0503 • e-mail: info@sparusa.com www.sparusa.com ASS O C I A i t S. Software Solutions For The Shipbuilding Industry5 Call 800-365-1663 to speak with an applications engineer A CRANE CO. COMPANY 900 MIDDLESEX TURNPIKE. BUILDING 6 • BILLERICA, MA 01821 978-670-6300 - FAX 978-670-8855 • www.azonix.com ProPanel is a registered trademark of Azonix Corporation. Circle 271 on Reader Service Card Circle 209 on Reader Service Card
