Page 40: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (February 1998)

A FORC

By Willard Marine Inc.

The U.S.A.'s Leading Builder Of Rigid Inflatable Boats

Circle 301 on Reader Service Card newbuilds scheduled to debut in the upcoming year and five new vessels with more than 1,300 berths to be water-ready by

December, sector-wide business was proceeding at a fair clip in the latter half of 1997. But while other positive developments, like the cutting of the first piece of steel for Royal Caribbean's Eagle class of ships at Kvaerner Masa-

Yards in Finland, took place in the fall, before the year was over a smoke signal would go up, caution- ing players to tread lightly in a market subject to adjustments and mishaps. Carnival pulled out of its venture in Asia, and in October the Asian financial market bot- tomed out. Disney announced a delay in the delivery of its first ship forcing thousands to change their plans for its maiden voyage, and Holland America also canceled three sailings on Rotterdam VI, all due to slowdowns at Fincantieri's

Marghera yard. NCL's Norwegian

Star, the first ship to call Houston its home, underwent a series of disastrous cruises which resulted in a class action lawsuit, and

NCL's ship Leeward was alleged to have caused 500 years worth of damage to the Great Maya Reef off

Mexico in a grounding incident.

One week into 1998, however,

Princess Cruises announced a con- tract with Fincantieri for two 109,000-ton, 2,600-passenger sis- terships for Grand Princess, which will surpass Carnival Destiny as the largest cruise ship afloat when it debuts this spring. On the shore side, Princess also opened a new facility in Valencia, Calif., to house it operations personnel, who will interface with executive staffers occupying Century City offices 30 miles further south.

Kvaerner's Cunard Cruise Line also completed a move of executive offices from New York to Miami, spurred by hiring and tax incen- tives offered by Florida's Dade

County. Just weeks before this year's State of the Industry debate, several cruise executives have shared their spins on the 1997 market with MR I EN, some indicating that moves by their companies this year will set up the industry for growth in the new millennium.

New Berths, New Addresses

While "mega-ships" are expected to play a role in driving the indus- (Continued on page 46)

We go to extraordinary lengths to build high quality RIBs you can count on for fast rescue, law enforcement, ' survey, diving, tour and tough work-place applications.

For more information, contact:

WILLARD MARINE, INC. 1250 N. Grove Street, Anaheim, CA 92806

Phone: 714-666-2150 • Fax: 714-632-8136

E-Mail : [email protected] • See us at Booth 105-ASNE Established 1956

Circle 329 on Reader Service Card

Solas 540 O.B.

Fast world-wide support!

If you operate a Harbormaster or

Murray & Tregurtha product anywhere in the world, we can provide spare parts and on-site field service. Call us first!

Maneuver.. .Propel.. .Position 31777 Industrial Road

Livonia, Ml 48150 USA (734) 425-1080 Fax (734) 425-1850

Website: http://www.harbormastermarine.com

Tunnel Thrusters 100 to 2000 HP

Harbormaster thrusters and outdrives are found around the world in ships, boats and barges where economical performance is required.

For unassisted maneuvering in tight quarters. For easily-moved, deck-mounted propulsion.

For critical dynamic positioning.

For precision vessel control.

Harbormaster Marine, Inc.

Harbormaster Marine products are designed to customer specification and built with utmost care and highest quality.

They provide years of durable service and are backed by a reliable support system.

Outboard and through- the-hull azimuthing drives 50 to 1500 HP

Harbormaster 40 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News