View non-flash version
Commission proposals on the safety of the seaborne oil trade. The AMRIE Paper calls on the Commission to lead the way in introducing requirements for Black Boxes to be fitted in all existing cargo ships, going beyond the IMO suggestion of new cargo ships only. AMRIE believes that the speedy introduction of Voy- age Data Recorders to all vessels is imperative if the Commission is to achieve a 'Safety Culture' in Ship- ping. While such recommendations are generally heralded by organizations that sell, service and install the units NG ON YOUR TOUGHEST JOB. MARQUIP marine I towing shackles can handle it. mm CHAIN PATTERN • flMP ANCHOR PATTERN SWL 32-185 TONS ® Maxium load capacities and safety B High-strength alloy steel construction O Easy installation Towing plates, too, plus many more products from one of the largest inven- tories of marine equipment in the USA. C CUSTOMER SERVICE 24 HOURS A DAY, 7 DAYS A WEEK ) 1-800-851-3429 WASHINGTON CHAIN AND SUPPLY, INC. P.O. Box 3645 • 2901 Utah Avenue South • Seattle, Washington 98124 FAX (206) 621-9834 • E-mail: info@wachain.com VISIT OUR WEB SITE FOR MORE INFORMATION: www.wachain.com Circle 309 on Reader Service Card Capstan Winches Meets the Toughest Standards. • High Starting Loads. • Electric, air or hydraulic. • Mountings to configure to existing foundations. • Extensive range of sizes. Send for a complete catalogue of Jeamar products. JeamarWinches 1051 Clinton Street, Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. 14206 JXJel: 1-877-884-8118 • Fax: 1-877-569-9909 V. Visit our web site at: www.jeamar.com Email: sales@jeamar.com aboard ships, the measure is not likely to illicit many cheers from the shipowning community due to the costs of purchasing, installing and maintaining the units. Despite anticipated protests regarding the matter, the shipping community is faced with a public relations crisis anytime it actively debates proposed safety mea- sures, and will most likely be brought to the change quickly and quietly. Kongsberg Claims "World's First Complete VDR" Kongsberg Norcontrol, an industry leader in ship automation systems, has released what it is calling the world's first voyage data recorder (VDR) fully satisfying IMO demands. Called Maritime Black Box (MBB), it plays the same role for ships as the flight recorder — gathering and storing vital data regarding ship opera- tions. Such information is key to improving vessel safety, which is cur- rently far below that of air travel, says Kongsberg's Lehn-Pedersen. The VDR is constructed of two main elements; a data-collecting unit (DCU), which collects information, and a pro- tected storage unit (PSU), which holds it. According to Lehn-Pedersen, the MBB's storage unit is the first to meet all maritime authority demands. The stor- age unit protects the data against explo- sion, fire and deep-sea submersion. The MBB combines expertise from both Kongsberg and Thomson CFX Detexis, developer of black boxes for the aircraft industry. The two companies have teamed for the production and marketing of the unit. A Newfoundland developed and pro- duced "black box" for ships is from Rut- ter Technologies. The recorder, official- ly known as the Rutter VDR-100 Voy- age Data Recorder, was on display at the offices of Sigma Engineering Ltd. recently. Sigma and another local firm. Consolidated Technologies Ltd., came together to form Rutter, each bringing its own technology to work on the develop- ment of VDR. "The International Maritime Organiza- tion (IMO) has already passed a resolu- tion related to the performance standard for the mandated version of this product and the European Union has initiated a parallel initiative," says Byron Dawe, president of St. John's-based Rutter Technologies Inc. VDR will interface with other navigational aids and record positioning data, compass heading, and orders and responses to and from the engine room. The recordings will also include all radar images and all sounds. Consilium Navigation of Sweden has also entered the Black Box fray, offering a new VDR dubbed VDR M2, which it touts as fully compliant with IMO per- formance standard A861 (20), and Test Standard IEC 61996. The VDR M2 also incorporates support for acoustic control of the bridge microphones, as well as support for final recording media. The final recording medium itself will be ready for delivery in early fall. Type approval of the system is in progress with BSH Ger- many. The system will be able to record up to four radars, and other non-mandatory sources of informa- tion, such as multiple high-resolution video inputs and CCTV, as well as shipborne LAN data. Currently, Con- silium is fulfilling large orders for the new units to both Royal Caribbean Cruises and Moby Line. For information, circle appropriate number on the RSC: Kongsberg Norcontrol 70 Rutter Technologies' VDR 1 Consilium Navigation's VDR 72 Stainless Steel Hand Wf make over 13 Different Models of Hand Winches. Corrosion resistant. Tough, rugged, unique winches. Automatic load activated braking High drum to rope ratio. Conforms to world wide standard Din 15020. Send for a complete catalogue of Jeamar products. JeamarWinches 1051 Clinton Street, Buffalo, New York, U.S.A. 14206 ESel: 1-877-884-8118 • Fax: 1-877-569-9909 V. Visit our web site at: www.jeamar.com Email: sales@jeamar.com Circle 319 on Reader Service Card Reliable tugs for an unpredictable world Circle 246 on Reader Service Card Our first tractor tug, GYRFALCON, has been in service in Dutch Harbor, Alaska without missing a day since her delivery in 1995. Eight more have followed since, and there are more on the way. When you need a tug you can count on, give us a call. OARCO SHIPYARD ^ SEATTLE 2300 West Commodore Way • Seattle, Wa 98199 USA Phone (206) 285-3200 • FAX (206) 285-8486 E-mail: shipyard@marcoseattle.com Circle 261 on Reader Service Card