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I love the opportunity to have a person on the cover of Maritime Reporter, for as often as we discuss vessel design, machinery technology and legislation within these pages, it is people, of course, that are the heart and soul of the maritime business. Don’t get me wrong, I, as much as the next guy, am thrilled to step aboard some of today’s true modern marvels and examine construction techniques and capabilities that would have been thought impos- sible only decades ago. However I’m equally intrigued by the people who envision, design, build and operate these machines. In this edition I’m pleased to present information on one of the industry’s pio- neers, R.G. LeTrouneau, who was central to the design, construction and opera- tion of mobile platforms for the offshore oil industry. The story on LeTourneau’s first jack-up rig, built 50 years ago, starts on page 28. People are central to this edition’s main feature, the Question & Answer with some of the world’s leading classification societies, including: Todd Grove of ABS, Bernard Anne of BV, Fritz Grennemann of GL, Alan Gavin of LR and Ugo Salerno of RINA. Classification societies, justly or not, have become a lightning rod for criticism in recent years. When a ship breaks up and sinks — as rare of an occurance as that may be today — the mainstream media grabs tight and quickly looks for a destination to assign blame. Often lost, or simply ignored, are the tremendous strides our industry has made in regards to safe, efficient and environmentally sound navigation of the world’s waterways — initiatives often eminating from class. And where there is often a maze of owners, managers and charterers to navigate, the most expedient doorstep to drop blame seemingly is that of the classification society. Each of these executives, in a forthright and often revealing manner, discuss the inherent successes, shortcomings and challenges they face every single day to ensure the shipping industry’s integrity and future. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be repro- duced or transmitted in any form or by any means mechani- cal, photocopying, recording or otherwise without the prior written permission of the publishers. Founder: John J. O’Malley 1905 - 1980 Charles P. O’Malley 1928 - 2000 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News is published monthly by Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rates at Waterbury, CT 06701 and additional mailing offices. Postmaster send notification (Form 3579) regarding undeliverable magazines to Maritime Reporter/Engineering News, 118 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010. Publications Mail Agreement No: 40024966 Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to Circulation Dept. of DPGM 4960-2 Walker Road Windsor, ON N9A 6J3 Publishers are not responsible for the safekeeping or return of editorial material. ©2005 Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. 118 East 25th Street, New York, NY 10010 tel: (212) 477-6700; fax: (212) 254-6271 ISSN-0025-3448 USPS-016-750 No. 8 Vol. 67 Subscriptions: One full year (12 issues) $28.00 in U.S.; outside of U.S. $52.00 including postage and handling. For subscription information, call 212-477-6700; fax: (212) 254-6271; or e-mail: mrcirc@marinelink.com MARITIME REPORTER AND ENGINEERINGNEWS Member Business Publications Audit of Circulation, Inc. 33 Communications 43 Finland 46 Deck Machinery 47 Repair & Conversion Facilities 52 Buyer’s Directory 55 Classifieds 56 Ad Index On the Cover: Classification Societies today play a more critical role than ever in ensuring safe, efficient marine transporta- tion. The business of ship classification, however, faces many hurdles. Read the opinions of the world’s ship classification leaders starting on page 18. Editor’s Note www.marinelink.com trauthwein@marinelink.com On the Cover Circle 200 on Reader Service Card Coming in Maritime Reporter & Engineering News September 2005 The Marine Propulsion Annual Offshore Production System Technology • Software Solutions Annual Internet Resources Guidebook October 2005 The Marine Design Annual MEGAYACHTS Marine Salvage Maritime Security Products Annual CADCAM Suppliers Guide Country Focus: Germany www.marinelink.com 6 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News MR AUGUST 2005 #1 (1-8).qxd 8/5/2005 10:26 AM Page 8
