Page 38: of Marine News Magazine (November 2015)

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BOATBUILDING

Out? tting the Modern Workboat

Wishful thinking operators should have wish lists, ponder what is possible – and then, what is affordable.

By Joe Hudspeth

The boat show season is upon us. M MAVERICKS IN THE AKING

Myriad events beckon to everyone as- The tradeshow venue provides the perfect opportunity sociated with commercial maritime for equipment manufacturers to introduce new models and from this point forward in the calendar products. Always be on the lookout for several veils to be year. The anticipation and main focus lifted as engine OEM’s begin to promote new models des- of any event should not be about bead- tined for the next horsepower rung of EPA Tier IV cer- ed strolls down New Orleans’ Bourbon ti? cation. For example, engine distributor Motor Services

Street or how many barbecued shrimp Hugo Stamp will introduce a new line of Baudouin engines

Hudspeth can be savored, but about the maritime in December. The French engine manufacturer has made a industry comes together to showcase signi? cant investment to tap into the American market and and share what is new and needed. Much of what is on is in the ? nal stages of obtaining EPA Tier III approval on display at the show can and should get transposed into the their 15.9 liter and 31.8 liter engines. Likewise, OXE diesel preliminary speci? cations or wish lists for your next new- outboard engines and Castoldi water jets are also looking to build or overhaul project. churn up the U.S. propulsion market with a foray this year.

While certain sectors of the industry are experiencing They will encounter stiff competition as they do.

a temporary downtick and setback, the overall maritime While alternative propulsion systems remain argu- marketplace is keeping pace and, perhaps, even progres- ably far from the mainstream, it is critical to monitor sively growing. In either downturn or copious years, the advancements in this sector. It is expected that continu- case can be made for investing in the future by upgrading ous improvements will eventually make LNG and hybrid vessels, equipment, and technology. Trying something new propulsion systems a more workable option. BAE Systems is always a bit daunting, but you can never get to where is actively seeking more candidates for their latest you want to end up without leaving safe harbors and Hybridrive technology that can offer constantly pushing forward. diesel electric and electric propulsion.

Breakthroughs in propulsion systems are always worth looking for, but it is a trendy wave of digital modernization that repeat- edly claims the best in show.

T N B T ?

HE EXT IG HING

A new horizon looms for those who used to idolize Star Trek’s Captain Jean-luc Picard as he simply called out to a seemingly per- soni? ed computer to evoke commands for the ship. Tech companies have harnessed that ? ctional computer and have made Siri-type technology a useful and tangible tool that can be found in practically every pocket. While voice protocol is still lacking for many vessel applica- tions, the platforms for app-based, cloud-based,

NavNet TZTouch2

November 2015

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