Page 5: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (September 15, 1980)

manufactured by SSI, Inc., an associate com- pany of TBW Industries of Houma, La.

The new system, now being installed on barges built by Astilleros Espanoles S.A., is designed to reduce substantially one of the major hazards in the shipping industry: the danger imposed by free-drifting barges when the towline between them and the tug has been severed.

UHFFM

CRYSTAL CONTROLLED

TRANSMITTER-,

UHF-FM

CRYSTAL CONTROLLED

RECEIVER,

STORAGE BATTERY.

BATTERY CHARGER

Upon severence of a towline, the SSI sys- tem immobilizes the barge by remotely re- leasing its anchor. The barge can then read- ily be recaptured and its towline easily re- connected. Time in transit can thus be re- duced, providing an economy to both barge owner and shipper. Stabilization of the barge's position minimizes the possibility of collision with other shipping.

A radio-controlled, digitally encoded trans- mitter is the heart of the new system.

Mounted on the towing vessel, the unit may also be transferred from the original mount- ing position to other vessels, an operation which, the manufacturer states, can be done simply and quickly.

The barge-mounted windlass is equipped with a hydraulic cylinder that activates re- lease of the windlass brake upon receipt of the signal. This is done by means of a sole- noid-operated hydraulic valve, which upon activation by the radio signal, releases hy- draulic fluid to the brake-release cylinder.

The wildcat begins to rotate, paying out cable, which operation is monitored by switch so that the amount of chain released may be observed. When a pre-set number of revolu- tions has been achieved (usually equivalent to 15 fathoms of chain), the solenoid is au- tomatically de-energized, allowing the spring- set brake to return to the on position. The process may be repeated at any time by re- activating the transmit switch. An emer- gency stop control is included, enabling the windlass to be stopped at any point in the cycle.

An electric hydraulic power pack, power for which is derived from batteries, is mounted on the barge. A battery charger is provided to maintain voltage level.

For more information and free literature on the new system, write to Robert L.

Fouchard, Dept. MR, SSI, Inc., P.O. Box 4036, Houma, La. 70361.

F. Shepherd Promoted At

Designers & Planners—

Pramud Rawat Joins Firm

Frank Shepherd has been promoted to the position of director, project engineering and systems analysis, and Dr. Pramud Rawat has joined Designers & Planners, Inc. as director, special projects. The announce- ment was made recently by Ferd Serim, president of the company. Designers & Plan- ners is a firm of naval architects and marine engineers with offices in New York, Wash- ington, and Galveston.

In his new capacity, Mr. Shepherd will be responsible for diverse projects including development of general and ship specifi- cations and standardization documentation, data base management, technical solutions to fleet support problems, and electrical and electronic engineering. Prior to joining De- signers & Planners, he was employed by the

Navy Department, Vitro Laboratories, Cor- nell Aeronautical Laboratories, Honeywell,

Inc., and most recently the Logistics Man- agement Institute.

As director, special projects, Dr. Rawat will be responsible for scientific research and development effort and facilities engineer- ing. He is a naval architect with 23 years' experience in structural design, mathemati- cal application in surface representation and approximation, safety certification of ship- building facilities, and large/scale software development.

Prior to joining Designers & Planners,

Frank Shepherd

MR i

Dr. Pramud Rawat

Dr. Rawat worked with Howaldtswerke-

Hamburg, MIT, Ghana Nautical College, M.

Rosenblatt & Son, Advanced Marine Tech- nology Division of Litton Industries, Hydro- nautics, Inc., J.J. McMullen Associates, and most recently with Vitro Laboratories.

OTHER SHIPOWNERS HAVE PAID FOR

THIS UNIT IN ONE VOYAGE

After that, it's pure profit!

Mag Satellite Navigator

The Magnavox MX-1105 Satellite/Omega Navigator offers the best of both worlds, the world-wide precision of Satellite Navigation and the continous high seas coverage of the

Omega system. After two years of extensive testing, one major tanker operator has documented typical savings of 80 miles pervoyage representing as much as$50,000 per year per vessel. This is above and beyond the savings achieved through the use of a conventional single channel set. With savings of this type, the MX-1105 is much more than an aid to navigation, it is a very good economic investment.

With equipment this important you want the best reliability and performance available.

Magnavox has produced over 3,000 Satellite Navigators (1100 Series) with over 30 million hours of actual operation. An impressive record!

For support that matches Magnavox's reliability, Nav-Com is ready to respond to your needs with prompt, efficient, and competent service.

Nav-Com offers the full range of Magnavox Satellite Navigators for every application and budget. For your next requirement, let Nav-Com prepare a professional, engineering level proposal at no cost or obligation.

NAV-COM Inc., 711 Grand Boulevard, Deer Park, New York 11729 (516) 667-7710 Telex: 645744 NAVCOM NY DEER , „ -a* d

September 15, 1980 7