Page 49: of Marine News Magazine (September 2016)

48 50

“For routine heavy lifts, a 15-foot, 44-lb. synthetic multipart Fortis² sling exhibits the same stretch characteristics and stiffness of its 250-lb. wire equivalent, with an even better lifting capacity at 50 tons.” multipart Fortis² sling exhibits the same stretch character- to have multiple load ratings for each length – the higher istics and stiffness of its 250-lb. wire equivalent, with an (100-ton) may always work. Not only does this save time, even better lifting capacity at 50 tons. space and money, it also eliminates the risk of ever over-

For massive lifts, yards can employ multiple 160-lb, 55- loading by grabbing the wrong sling for the job. And in foot Fortis² slings, which are rated for 100 tons and can still stark contrast with steel, the synthetic Fortis² slings don’t be lifted and moved around without a crane or forklift – a rust, freeze or corrode — eliminating a major maintenance protocol that contrasts sharply with that of its 1,000-lb. steel concern and a lot of headaches.

wire counterpart. Together, these strength, stiffness, and While steel chain and wire slings are vulnerable to salty lightweight characteristics make it possible to use synthetics ocean air, rain, sleet, snow and other common shipyard in ways you never have before – saving minutes and hours weather conditions, Synthetic Fortis² slings are not. So that add up to weeks over the course of a project or job. while the effects of rust, ice and corrosion on steel wire and chain slings require extra-frequent inspections and precau-

Time Savers: tions to be taken to prevent accidents or failure, rust-free,

Until recently, the ef? ciencies of synthetics were limited non-freezing, non-corrosive Fortis² can save a lot of time. to lifts that didn’t require the sling to be pushed under- It needs only to be inspected on its regular schedule and neath the load. Because of its stiffness, wire was the only before every lift, and the easy to handle material allows option for those lifts – which also tend to be the heaviest. inspections to be both thorough and fast.

But today, even the heaviest of them all – like the 700-ton shipyard lift, which required three cranes – can be rigged Looking Ahead in record time with lightweight lifting slings. Because the Shipyards can see valuable gains from the implementa- core ? ber in Fortis² is parallel-braided to minimize twist tion of lightweight slings – gains that put them in solid and then sealed in place with the neoprene layer, the ? ber pro? t positions. Both outcomes amplify the importance retains its optimal strength and exhibits stiffness compa- given the uncertain economic and political environment, rable to wire – a win-win all around, and a big time saver in which decreased future demand is still top of mind. But when it comes to rigging up a lift. winning in tomorrow’s marketplace isn’t just about domi-

An elite modern shipyard workforce should not be de- nating a shrinking pond; it’s also about exploring new mar- ? ned by the brute strength of its workers. But without an kets and seizing opportunities. Depending on largely un- equivalent or superior synthetic alternative, it’s hard to predictable market conditions, shipbuilding demand could avoid either hauling enormous, heavy steel wire and chain quickly shift from a primary need for Navy ships, to deep slings around the assembly area manually, or waiting on water exploration vessels, to the tugs, barges, and workboats the slow strength of cranes to do the job for you. One is a expected to leverage the expanded Panama Canal.

tax on your body; the other is a tax on your time. Fortis² In the construction of all of these vessels, plus buildings, slings can be moved around by hand without wasting time bridges and more, Fortis² slings can maximize ef? ciency, or risking injury. For routine lifts, instead of involving safety, and a company’s competitive edge. And as condi- multiple workers and possibly multiple machines, most tions change, new easier-to-use, more ? exible equipment

Fortis² sling sizes can be picked up by one person who can will be at the heart of yards’ ability to turn their own large carry it over, slide it under the hook, and complete the job ships around (so to speak) on a dime.

without ever needing help from a coworker or machine.

Jamie Goddard, vice president of sales at Yale

Several yards have adopted 55-foot Fortis² slings, which

Cordage, leads sale strategy for the company and are rated for 100 tons and can be lifted and moved around manages Yale’s industrial and electrical utility without a crane or forklift. Compared with their 1,000- accounts throughout the United States. His lb. wire counterparts, these slings weigh just 160 pounds. responsibilities include building and maintaining

And because even the heaviest-lifting sling is still such a client relationships while understanding and supporting the manageable weight, yards can use a set of 100-ton rated needs of more than 75 national and international accounts.

slings in various lengths to lift loads of all weights. It’s still necessary to have multiple lengths available to keep angles correct based on the width of the load, but there’s no need 49 www.marinelink.com MN

MN Sept16 Layout 32-49.indd 49 8/22/2016 10:17:06 AM