Page 40: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 15, 1984)

New Marine Autopilots

Introduced By Racal —Literature Available

Six new marine autopilots were introduced recently by Racal Ma- rine Controls Limited. Designed to meet the requirements of shipown- ers worldwide, the new range in- cludes two series—the Racal-Decca 80 Series of super-adaptive auto- pilots and the Racal-Decca 60 Se- ries of conventional systems. Each series is designed on a modular basis enabling shipowners to build the exact system desired.

David Peacock, chairman of the Racal Marine group of compa- nies, commented: "The six new

Racal-Decca autopilots are the re- sult of 37 years of experience in which more than 16,000 systems have been supplied throughout the world."

The 80 Series—consisting of the

DP785, DP685, and DP585—uses the model reference electronics successfully developed for the com- pany's existing autopilot, the

DP780, now fitted or on order for more than 90 ships from 12 coun- tries. This and the new systems are unique in distinguishing be- tween course offsets caused by the ship itself and those resulting from the weather, allowing relaxed but highly economical course-keeping.

The new DP785 is the top-of- the-range autopilot and steering control system, similar to the

DP780. The DP685 incorporates a simpler steering system, while the

DP585 is an autopilot only. A sub- stantial quantity of the latter have already been ordered for retro- fitting.

The Racal-Decca 60 Series in- cludes the DP763, DP663, and

DP563. The DP763 is a sophisti- cated main steering control and autopilot system; the DP663 is a budget-priced version and replaces the company's well-known DP750 and DP760 models. The DP563 re- places the existing DP550 and

DP560 systems.

All the new autopilots can con- trol all known steering gear, in- cluding the modern single-loop and linear steering gear system.

For further information and free literature on the new line of autopilots.

Circle 97 on Reader Service Card

Steam Plant Optimization Topic At

New York Port Engineers Meeting

ASSISTANT MARINE ENGINEERING SUPERINTENDENT

Working closely with our Manager, Marine Engineering, you would assist in assuring that SOHIO Marine Engineering maintenance, repair, construction and capital improvement programs meet all regulatory requirements and are completed within approved cost levels and time schedules.

You would also evaluate new technological advancements as you coor- dinate and monitor the progress of approved Marine Engineering projects.

Other typical responsibilities include: maintaining depot spare ware- house, collecting and coordinating vessel technical operating data, program reporting, and reviewing departmental cost controls

You should have a degree in Marine Engineering, hold an engineer's operating license (Chief preferred), and have 5-1P years' marine industry experience (with major emphasis in tanker operations).

Excellent career advancement potential accompanies this highly professional supervisory position. You'll also appreciate the generous total compensation plan commensurate with your experience, plus comprehensive benefits. SOHIO's relocation package for new hires includes all normal moving expenses. Home- owners also qualify for mortgage interest dif- ferential allowance, third party home purchase and other features typically restricted to internal transfers.

Start now by sending your resume, including current salary his- tory, in strictest

Ms. Sarah Steiner, Senior Executive Recruiter confidence to:

THE STANDARD OIL COMPANY (Ohio) 1424 Midland Building - 603MR

Cleveland, Ohio44H5

An Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/H/V

NO THIRD PARTY INQUIRIES, PLEASE. "Help us Help to Assure America's Energy Future"

Speaker at recent New York Port Engineers meeting was Chester W. Stott Jr. (center) of General

Electric. He is flanked by Society president Thomas Young (right) and John Antonetz, chair- man of Papers and Technical Committee.

The recent meeting of The Soci- ety of Marine Port Engineers New

York, N.Y., Inc. heard a paper ti- tled "Steam Propulsion Plant Op- timization for Slower Steaming" presented by Chester W. Scott

Jr., senior thermal systems engi- neer at General Electric's Marine

Turbine & Gear Department in

Lynn, Mass. "Almost all steam- ships operating today can and have, over the past few years, improved fuel consumptions to some degree through various energy conserva- tion opportunities and measures,"

Mr. Stott stated. "The most effective measure for savings has been due to a com- plete overhaul, cleaning, repair, and tune-up of all plant equip- ment to restore the plant to near- design conditions. This has re- sulted in savings of 5 to as much as 15 percent, attesting to the ne- glect which some turbine plants have suffered while fuel was cheap.

Despite their reduced efficiency, the ships have been reliable and operable, displaying a ruggedness to abuse and a tolerance to fuel degradation unmatched by any other propulsion machinery," he said. "A subsequent measure requires strict observance of proper operat- ing procedures for each vessel as determined by close cooperation between management and operat- ing sea personnel. The lack of a dedicated modern program of maintenance and repair will de- feat this opportunity and the pre- vious losses will re-appear. "A third measure is cycle im- provement and equipment modifi- cation, especially for those lower- cost, higher-reliable, simple steam air heater/economizer cycles (SAH).

In the United States, before the fuel crunch most shipyards offered and many owners desired only these less efficient plants. Over- seas the price of fuel oil always has been higher than in this coun- try; consequently, the economics favored the most efficient regener- ative gas air heater cycle (RAH).

As long as normal operation is in the range of 70 to 100 percent of design, maximum continuous rat- ing, the fuel savings from this pro- gram could average 5 percent for the SAH cycle and about 2 percent for the RAH cycle. "Another conservation measure involves slow steaming," the au- thor said. "On an individual ship basis, this measure has the great- est potential for fuel conservation, regardless of the type of propul- sion steam cycle. However, owners must balance fuel savings against related cost increases, revenue losses, and the overall transporta- tion requirements of their entire fleet. The net fuel savings from slow steaming, when operating be- tween 55 and 30 percent of origi- nal maximum continuous rating, will vary inversely as the power between 25 and 40 percent, respectively."

OMSA Elects Officers—

Ogden Thomas Named

Chairman For Two Years

The Offshore Marine Service

Association, New Orleans, has an- nounced the recent election of of- ficers and members of the board of directors for a two-year term commencing January 1, 1984.

Chairman will be Ogden Thomas, president, Seahorse, Inc.; vice chairman, Otto Candies, Jr., vice president, Otto Candies, Inc.; sec- retary/treasurer, Charles Bur- rell, vice president-business devel- opment, Leevac. Board members include: John Bissell, president,

Sealcraft Operators, Inc.; F.C.

Felterman, president, Galaxie

Marine Service, Inc.; Curtis Tay- lor, president, Zapata Marine

Service, Inc.; Richard Currence, president, Gulf Fleet Marine Corp.; and Burt Keenan, president, Off- shore Logistics, Inc. 42 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News