View non-flash version
22 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News On any given day, a fleet of four giant tankers operated by Alaska Tanker Company (ATC) — each capable of car- rying from 800,000 to1.3 million barrels of North Slope Alaskan Crude — can be found navigating from Valdez, Alaska, through the waters of Prince William Sound on their way to deliver their vital cargo to ports up and down the West Coast. Important among the advanced tech- nologies is providing the latest in elec- tronic navigation — a necessity to guide these ships safely along. ATC tankers — Tonsina, Kenai and Prince William Sound — are outfitted with bridge navigation electronics fea- turing the advanced Raytheon Pathfinder system running C-MAP's CM-93 professional electronic chart database. A fourth ATC tanker, the Alaskan Frontier, is outfitted with the latest in marine technologies including twin screws, medium speed electric diesel propulsion and advanced machin- ery and cargo control systems. The Alaskan Frontier also features C-MAP CM-93 at the heart of her integrated electronic navigation system. "C-MAP's electronic chart database, with its comprehensive portfolio of vec- tor charts in the CM-93 format, is very important to our safe navigation," said John A. Miller, Electronics Engineer for the ATC fleet. "The quality of the CM-93 data and its accuracy in terms of content and structure offer our ships' deck officers a high level of confidence in C-MAP as an aid to navigation," Miller said. Integrated with radar over- lay, ARPA and AIS, C-MAP electronic charts provide deck officers with a wealth of information and help them stay on top of navigational situations which change from minute to minute. "With the recent implementation of AIS equipment in each tanker's electron- ic suite, we have an even higher level of reliable ship data integrated with the already powerful CM-93 charts, provid- ing real time ship information and traffic overlays," Miller added. ATC bridge crews can't overempha- size the importance of accurate, up-to- date electronic charts to meeting the specific challenges of piloting an oil- laden tanker through dangerous waters. "The charts' safety contours assist in defining for us the vessel's "no go" areas (shoals, reefs, bars and other shallow/hazardous conditions). At the same time, docking evolutions are better visualized by our crew with the vector information displayed as to the ship's actual movements," Miller said. In evaluating the usefulness and per- formance of their vessel's electronic charts, ATC representatives added that harbor pilots especially rely on the ship's ECS (Electronic Charting System), due to its location near the 10 cm radar. This ECS display helps them keep a close watch on Speed Over Ground, Course Over Ground and Speed Through Water, all vital statistics, when piloting a large, heavy vessel in crowd- ed waters and restricted space. Circle 28 on Reader Service Card Massachusetts Maritime Academy offers the only USCG Approved "Advanced Shiphandling Training in Manned-Models" in the world. This training meets STCW (1995) Table A-11/2 requirements for assessing Management Level (Masters and Chief Mates) deck officers. Next Dates for Additional Training at Massachusetts Maritime: Please contact us for complete 2005 schedule Telephone 508-830-5005 Fax 508-830-5018 email: cmt@maritime.edu www.maritime.edu Advanced Shiphandling in Manned Models USCG Approved Training Winter Course Dates Below! ? OPA-90 QI – March 14 ? BST – March 14 ? PSC (lifeboatman) – March 21 ? Fast Rescue Boat – April 5 ? Advanced Shiphandling – April 11 ? Medical Care Provider – April 20 ? CEMS Coaches Training – April 21 ? Medical Care PIC – April 25 ? Tankerman – June 20 ? GMDSS – August 8 Circle 235 on Reader Service Card Tanker Technology 400 Walnut, P.O. Box 377, Greenwood, MO 64034-0377 USA 1-800-821-3508 • 816-537-6777 • Fax: 816-537-6162 Visit our website at: www.mrlongarm.com • e-mail: maritime@mrlongarm.com Manufacturer of quality extension poles, cleaning & maintenance tools for the marine industry PROFESSIONAL & HEAVY DUTY EXTENSION POLES Features & Benefits: H18546 2 and 3 section poles available in sizes from 2'-4' (0.6 m-1.2 m) up to 8'-24' (2.5 m-7.0 m). H18546 Several patented locking mechanisms to choose from. H18546 Optimum strength and durability. H18546 Constructed of non-corrosive materials. H18546 Acme standard threaded ends. H18546 Tapered adaptors available for taper fit tools. CLEANING & MAINTENANCE TOOLS H18546 Several styles of flow-thru cleaning brushes. H18546 Floor and deck squeegees. H18546 Painting tools and accessories. H18546 Window cleaning tools and accessories. H18546 Bulb changing tools. Call toll-free or visit our website for a free catalog or more information. Circle 237 on Reader Service Card An Electronic Charting "Engine" Guiding a Fleet of Supertankers MR FEBRUARY 2005 #3 (17-24).qxd 2/2/2005 9:36 AM Page 6
