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New & Notable VT Concludes Sandown Class Vosper Thornycroft (VT) has once again, completed a successful shipbuild- ing project for the Royal Navy with the launch of the last minehunter in the Sandown Class at its Southampton ship- yard. HMS Shoreham, which was sponsored by Lady Perowne, wife of Admiral Sir James Perowne, Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic, is the 12th of these technologically-driven fiber reinforced plastic minehunters, all of which were built by VT. Circle 233 on Reader Service Card VT. which collaborated closely with the Ministry of Defence in the design of this third generation FRP minehunter, was able to design the RN class via sophisticated computer aided design techniques. The construction of HMS Shoreham inaugurated many firsts for the yard, as the vessel was 90 percent complete at its launching and holds the designation as one of the first RN ships to be launched with its gun, a Bofors 30 mm, installed. Equally impressive has been VT's ability to adapt during the life of the Sandown class program. More than 1,000 modifications have been made in the vessels — taking into account changing technology. Scheduled for delivery later this year, HMS Shoreham measures 172 ft. (52.5 m) and has a displacement of 470 tons. Able to cruise at a maximum speed of 14 knots, the vessel's propulsion system is comprised of two Paxman Valenta engines and two Voith-Schneider propulsors. Circle 34 on Reader Service Card VT Reaches Milestone With New RN Survey Ships Construction of two new 295 ft. (90 m) hydrographic and oceanographic survey ships for the Royal Navy, under the prime contractorship of Vosper Thornycroft (VT), has taken another step forward with the initial blocks being moved to the berth in the covered Building Dock at Appledore Ship- builders in Devon. Appledore is constructing the vessels through a sub-contract from VT with the first vessel. HMS Echo, due for float out in early 2002; in-service will commence in Autumn 2002. The initial production process com- menced with a 102-ton steel block from the ship's central hull being moved into the construction dock at Appledore. Ultimately, both HMS Echo and its sis- tership HMS Enterprise will be con- structed alongside each other in the large dock facility. The prime contract, which was placed with VT in June 2000, is worth more than $185 million, and includes the sup- port of the ships throughout their 25- year service life. Both Echo and Enter- prise will work with the Royal Navy fleet in worldwide frontline operational roles, including support of mine warfare and amphibious operations as well as the undertaking of specialist surveying tasks necessary for long-term effective- ness of the Royal Navy. DOLPHIN RUBBER FENDERS ALL TYPES / ALL APPLICATIONS Pneumatic Fenders DockFenders Ship Fenders Engineered & Manufactured by: KUMNAM CHEMICAL, INC. 348-3, Chung Chun-Ri, Chillye- Myun Kimhae, Kyungnam, Korea Tel: 82 (55) 346-3313 Fax: 82 ( 55) 346-3137 Distributed in the Americas by: DOLPHIN INTERNATIONAL, CO. 881 SW 59th Avenue Ft. Lauderdale, Florida 33317 Tel: (954) 581-4858 Fax: (954) 581-9892 E-mail: Shipnshore@att.net www.dolphinfenders.net Powerful Solutions For Welding And Cutting Automation Mechanizing Your Welding And Cutting Applications Can Save You Money! Bug-0 Systems has been showing manufactur- ers how to automate their welding applications for more than 50 years. We would be happy to discuss any applications you have in mind. If you have any questions or applications you'd like to discuss, call 1-800-245-3186 ext. 55. Bug-0 Systems 3001 West Carson Street Pittsburgh, PA USA15204-1899 Phone: 1-412-331-1776 Fax: 1-412-331-0383 http://www.bugo.com "->• C€ Affordable Automation for Welding, Cutting and Semi-Automatic Processes 20 Circle 215 on Reader Service Card Maritime Reporter & Engineering News