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Workboat Annual tow. Both have twin 2,260 hp diesel engines on Ulstein Z-Drives turning 100 x 120-in. propellers in Nautican High Efficiency Nozzles, although the Gulf Titan is 12-ft. longer. The West- ern Titan had a 322 x 90 x 18 ft., 5,000-dwt barge with ordinary skegs on the line, while the Gulf Titan was pulling a 422 x 100 x 25 ft. 10,000-dwt barge that had the Hydralift skegs. Using readings from the CAT Engine Vision system to measure fuel flow, he says, "they were making the same speed, burning the same fuel", which he says shows how much more efficient the Hydralift skegs made the heavier barge. The biggest complaint, though, about Hydralifts seems to be that they act like a huge garden rake and can pick up debris, which slows the barge down. The skegs are required to be cleared using methods such as moving the debris out with a tug's propeller wash, spinning the barge around away from the debris, or backing the barge up. John Fowlis, Hull Superintendent at Seaspan International Ltd., provides some of the other limitations of the Hydralift skeg. At slow speed, less than about three knots, he reports "they tend to skitter all over the place" and that they can wander in shallow waters . He said that they "tend to require a tail boat, especially in current or rivers." Unlike Seaspan, Shrewsbury says that they do not require a tail boat to bring the barge in, but this may be because they make up on the hip (side tow) when bringing the barges in, whereas the Canadians shorten up the towline. Gruzling explains that the loss of control in shallow waters comes from a bottom effect, when the stern rake is too steep relative to the depth of (Continued on page 88) €ver wonder uuhot's R€flllV in those tanks? The levelCom TLI system is taking offshore tank level indication to a new plateau... Simply the most complete Tank Level Indicating system available today. The LevelCom 100/101 Tank Level Indicating system that monitors depth, volume, weight AND the specific gravity of virtually any liquid. And it does it without special sensors. No sensor in the tank! No expensive or fragile pressure transmitter or sensor in the tank. No more need to empty and gas free a tank to repair or calibrate a tank level indicator! Packed with features! • Equipped to communicate to a remote display or computer • Automatic sense line leak and plug detection • No custom scales required • Automatic self calibration • Programmable alarm and control setpoints • 10 point depth/volume/weight "Tank Table" accurately tracks the shape of the tank 4-20mA input and output options add to the versatility of the LevelCom 100 Manufactured in the USA by: TMS, Inc. Phone: 1-503-285-8947 Fax: 1-503-285-1379 info@tms-usa.com Circle 350 on Reader Service Card November, 2002 or visif www marit'merePorterinfo com r CRANKSHAFT ^ GRINDING While Installed in Engine • CRANKPIN AND MAIN JOURNAL REFURBISHING While crankshaft is in engine • ALL TYPES OF 0N-B0ARD MACHINING Cylinder boring, engine top decks, horizontal joints, couplings, journals • LINE BORING OF MAIN BEARING POCKETS Laser and Optical Alignment • METALSTITCH® Repair of cracked or broken cast iron engine blocks IN-PLACE MACHINING COMPANY USA: International: FAX: 800-833-3575 414-562-2000 414-265-1000 24 HOUR EMERGENCY SERVICE ..day or night, 365 days a year email: help@inplace.com Website: www.inplace.com Circle 264 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com Timely & cost effective topside & offshore repairs • Turnkey project solutions • Precise macfiine shop services / / \ ...repairs & new installations made from the finest materials and components) produced with an unsurpassed dedication to craftsmanship. Circle 294 on Reader Service Card or visit www.maritimereporterinfo.com www.offshoreinland.co 3521 Brookdalc Drive South • Mobile. AL 36618 Tel 334 479 6081 • Fax 334 479 1989 • Toll free 800 489 8120