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16 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News Amphibious Ships Project (JP 2048). JP 2048 involves the construction of two amphibious ships between 200-250 m in length and approximately 25,000 tons displacement. John Rothwell, Austal's Executive Chairman, said, "A project the size of JP 2048 provides an opportunity for the involvement of many parts of industry and no single company will be able to deliver on all requirements. Optimal program results will only be delivered from a well-planned collaborative effort involving many segments of Australian industry, including a wide range of SMEs and subcontractors." To maximize the involvement of Australian industry, Austal and Raytheon are collaborating with the Industry Capability Network Western Australia (ICNWA), part of the WA Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), to facilitate the collection and assessment of supplier data through the ICNWA's 'Project Connect' web-based technology. ICNWA also provides access to an extensive network of Australian industry contacts. Australian companies seeking to work with the Austal-Raytheon Amphibious Ships Team on JP 2048 are invited to visit www.projectconnect.com.au and regis- ter their interest. Washington Passes New Oil Spill Measure Gov. Christine Gregoire on May 6, 2005, signed bills that will establish an Oil Spill Monitoring and Oversight Council to provide independent over- sight of the state's oil-spill program and a new Washington Academy of Sciences to advise state government on scientific questions. "We are taking positive action today to ensure that our waters are pro- tected from pollution," Gregoire said at a bill signing ceremony held in Tukwila. "The new advisory council represents a partnership of industry, government and local communities in our efforts to pre- vent oil spills." The new 16-member oil-spill council will: • Provide early consultation with government decision makers regarding the state's oil-spill prevention, prepared- ness and response programs, and Promote opportunities for the pub- lic to become involved in oil-spill response activities. The new academy is expected to be formed by 2007. Panama Canal Authority Customizes GHS A longtime user of GHS (General HydroStatics, ship stability software), the Panama Canal Authority took advan- tage of the flexibility of this software to develop a special interface for use by its Boarding Officers. This was done in conjunction with a training session at the offices of Creative Systems in Port Townsend, Wash., covering advanced modeling techniques. The Panama Canal uses GHS to calculate interior volume of hull and superstructure for assessing the tonnage of ships passing through the canal. It is expected that the training along with the new interface will reduce the time it takes to create vessel models and calculate tonnage. Circle 21 on Reader Service Card Circle 208 on Reader Service Card News MR JUNE 2005 #2 (9-16).qxd 6/2/2005 11:06 AM Page 8
