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the entire deck machinery as a system.? A Single-System Vendor (SSV) or a Scienti c Handling Systems Integrator (SHSI) is an added value government customers are frequently looking for. It?s easy to  nd a company that manufactures a particular product, Atkinson said, but what the government customer needs is someone who can serve as a one- stop-shop, integrating products from other vendors as well. ?We are responsible for the overall layout and functionality of the deck machinery package,? said Sigurjonsson. Rapp?s role as SSV with NOAA?s Fisheries Survey Vessel program helped in the company?s selection as SHSI for the Alaska Regional Research Vessel (ARRV) operated by the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. In 2010, Rapp was awarded a contract to supply the ARRV with oceanographic traction, hydrographic and CTD winches, plus two storage reels, winch control and level wind systems. Finally, a high degree of customization also distinguishes the research vessel market. ?We build winches to  t the space limitations apparent on board,? said Atkinson. ?We usually start with an existing design, but it quickly evolves, depending on what the customer is trying to do technically and the unique space available on each boat.? RELATIONSHIPS : THE OTHER PIECE OF THE PUZZLEBuilding good relationships with shipyards has also stood Rapp Hydema in good stead. In 2010, Rapp was contracted to supply an electric deck machinery package to the South African polar icebreaker and research vessel, A.S. Agulhas II, built by STX Finland Oy. The vessel 440-foot multi-purpose was delivered in April 2012 to the South African Department of Environmental Affairs. Designed primarily to carry out research operations and expeditions for the South African National Antarctic Program, it can also serve as an icebreaker and cruise ship. Rapp Hydema?s package included tandem HW-2300E CTD winches, single vertical plankton and towing winches, a general purpose towing winch, a deep sea coring winch, an undulating winch, a capstan and scienti c winches. Rapp?s latest computerized winch control and monitoring system, the PTS Pentagon Cbus R, integrates all winches and provides varied automation and data- logging functions.Following this project, in late 2011 Rapp was selected to supply a deck machinery package to another new research vessel; also built by STX Finland Oy. This time, Rapp supplied a combination electric/hydraulic deck machinery package to the Mirabilis, delivered to the Namibian Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources. The Mirabilis supports  sheries, meteorological and water quality research, and unlike the old vessel she replaced, the Mirabilis has deep water trawling capabilities. For this project, Rapp provided hydraulically- powered trawl winches, a double net- drum for net storage, a Gilson winch, a research/sounder winch, an anchor winch with two capstans and two separate hydraulic power packs. The trawl winches are controlled by a PTS Pentagon Cbus F system enabling auto trawl functions for both bottom and midwater trawling operations. Rapp also supplied an electric CTD winch that handles up to 6,000 meters of armor-coated cable and an electric Plankton/net winch with a wire- holding capacity of 3,000 meters of EM cable. The electric winches use Rapp?s PTS Pentagon R7E control system. Electric CTD Winch, HW-2300E, aboard South African research vessel RV S.A. Agulhas II MN 35www.marinelink.com MN Feb2013 Layout 32-42.indd 35MN Feb2013 Layout 32-42.indd 351/30/2013 4:41:23 PM1/30/2013 4:41:23 PM