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Derecktor Wins AMHS Fast Ferry Deal Derecktor Shipyards has emerged vic- torious in the battle to build a pair of high speed ferries for the Alaska Marine Highway Systems. Late last month, Paul Derecktor, Alaska Governor Tony Knowles, State Department of Transportation Commis- sioner Joe Perkins and several Alaska State Officials attended the signing of the contract at the Alaska State Capitol in Juneau. Derecktor Shipyards teamed with Nigel Gee and Associates (NGA) Ltd. of Southampton, England and will use one of their original designs, developed expressly for the Alaska project. The new boats are designed to be safe, high-speed RoRo passenger ferries that minimize costs and can interface with existing AMHS docks and pier side facilities. The vessels will be designed to carry 250 passengers on the main deck Serenade of the Seas To Be Delivered in Autumn 2003 The first 66 blocks of the 90,090-gt new cruise vessel Serenade of the Seas being built for Royal Caribbean, were lifted into position in the cov- ered building dock at Meyer Werft Shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Flanked by the yard's board member, Bernard Meyer, project manager Jarmo Lassko and RCCL's senior vice president Marine Operations Harri Kulovaara, the ceremonial "lucky coin" was laid before the first block of the new vessel was lowered down onto the keel blocks by the yard's 600-ton crane. Like its sister ships Radiance and Brilliance of the Seas, the 961-ft. (293-m) Serenade will be fitted with two podded podded drives. The pro- pellers will be directly driven by elec- tric motors installed in a pod under the ship's hull. Two environmentally friendly and smokeless gas turbines will provide the vessel with electric power for propulsion. Circle 86 on Reader Service Card www.maritimereporterinfo.com and 35 large vehicles, of the type mostly used in Alaska, on the cargo deck at a continuous-rating service speed of 35 knots and with great comfort up to sea state 6. This project, funded by the Federal Government will allow the State of Alaska to link Sitka to Juneau with fast modern boats, capable of a comfortable one-day round trip, and improve service to communities in Prince William Sound. The first vessel is scheduled to enter service between Juno and Sitka at the beginning of 2004, while the second vessel should follow a year later. "These ferries will improve transporta- tion in coastal Alaska and will help the Alaska Marine Highway System improve its bottom line," DOT Commis- sioner Perkins said. "This is the begin- ning of a whole new era in marine trans- portation in Alaska." The Alaska Marine Highway System has been operating year-round since 1963, with regularly scheduled passen- ger and vehicle service to 32 communi- ties in Alaska. It carries over 300,000 passengers every year. Circle 84 on Reader Service Card www.maritimereporterinfo.com mm Nearly 60% of all the new tank gauging installa- tions in the market are designed and delivered by us. Our new system, Saab TankRadar' STaR, brings intelligence and integration to your tank monitoring—offering a wide range of functions. It features a 3-in-1 solution that integrates Level Gauging, High Level Alarm and Overfill systems in a single unit. As a result, it's easy to install, maintain and operate. STaR takes advantage of a new sensor technology for safer and more reliable loading and discharge. What's more, it's open to integration with emerging software if you ever have a need for upgrading the ship automation systems. It's a future-proof offer. Our company name has changed, But the commitment to our customers remains the same. And rest assured that Saab Rosemount Marine will keep a constant focus on shaping the future in tank gauging. Like we do now— with the introduction of STaR. Saab Rosemount Marine • Phone: +46 31 3370 000 • t-mall: sales,marinelftmarlne.saab.se • Web www.saabrosemount.com A closer look at the electron*s inside the tank gauging unit, the new SlaR i m 1 solution Integrates I evel Gauging, High Level Alarm and Overfill systems in a '.ingle unit ^designed os independent measuring channels, galvoin- cally separated and intrinsically safe The system is apptoved according to intemotional standards and class certificates EH3 ROSEMOUNT Circle 283 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com March, 2002 41