Page 11: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 2001)

well as from carrying all manner of containerized freight. The decision to initially incorporate 100 sockets for reefer containers will provide Agrexco with added shipment scope in its produce range and for providing through-movement logistic solu- tions. The vessels will be fitted and equipped to facilitate a subsequent increase in the reefer box

Investment in Design complement to a maximum of 260 units.

With the superstructure mounted over the mid- ships reefer section and the funnel casing sitting relatively low right aft, the Flexcon 21 class will cut a new profile in an established trade. Outward indication of a role other than container carrying will be afforded by a big side door built into the

Innovation on the fjords

An initiative to develop a new breed of medium-speed, economical and environmentally compatible, com- muter ferry for Norwegian trunk routes has won early approbation from the service operating fraternity.

The Norwegian Public Roads Admin- istration has sanctioned the start of construction of the first of the mold- breaking FerryCat design at the Fjell- strand yard. It is understood that a contract will shortly be finalized between the aluminum shipbuilding specialist and the Bergen-based owner-operator Hardanger Sunnhord- landske (HSD). The double-ended, catamaran ferry design, using the new

Azipull azimuth thraster, was formu- lated in response to the Public Roads

Administration's strategic decision to increase sailing frequency on key routes throughout the coastal fjord service network, without necessitat- ing a large increase in fleet strength.

Gains in productivity and route unit costs are promised by the 400-passen- ger/120-car catamaran shuttle ferry, which might also prove an attractive option in applications beyond the

Norwegian fringe. The FerryCat sig- nals a substantial increase in fjord ferry speed to some 20-22 knots com- pared with the 12-15 knots typical of existing vessels. Even at 15-16 knots, the design is claimed to require 20-30 percent less power than existing ves- sels of comparable car capacity. The 360-degree rotatable Azipull thrusters, one mounted at each end of each hull, will confer a very high degree of maneuverability, combining the advantages of a 'pulling' rather than 'pushing' propeller with freedom of choice as to installation of mechan- ical or electrical drive. The FerryCat will give Fjellstrand a new outlet for its expertise in friction stir welding (FSW) techniques. The modular ves- sel type will be built using FSW sec- tions accounting for some 75 percent of the aluminum structure.

SEEKING A CHALLENGING

CAREER CHANGE? doin SEABULK's growing team of professional mariners with an unsurpassed reputation for quality and customer service along the East & Gulf Coasts. We're looking for: 100T Captains, 500T Masters, USCG Licensed

Chief Engineers, 1600T Mates,

AB Seamen/QMEDS, Ordinary Seamen (with MMD/Z Card), and Deckhands

SEE HOW SEABULK OFFSHORE LTD.

CAN BENEFIT YOU!!!

Free STCW & License Upgrade Training •

Tuition Coverage & Partial Pay During Classtime •

Free Life Insurance and AD&D Insurance •

Free Uniforms • Sign-on Bonus, Safety Bonus,

Referral Bonus • Group Health Insurance - low pre- tax premium • PPO Dental, Vision & Prescription

Card * Excellent 401 (k) Savings Plan • Direct Deposit • Affordable Dependent Life Insurance • Flexible Work Schedule • Paid Orientation • Double Time Holiday Pay

APPLY IN PERSON OR BY MAIN TO:

Seabulk Offshore, Ltd. 146 Calco Blvd., Suite 101

Lafayette, LA 70503

Phone Carolyn at 1-888-SEABOLK x 208 lor an application and confidential interview, 8am-5pmM-F

FAX: 337-234-8693

Email: [email protected] www.seabulkinternational.com, m

Circle 313 on Reader Service Card www. maritimereporterinfo. com rfi'l Murine i'rntlucts

Archway Marine Lighting is now an authorized 3M Marine Products distributor.

Our initial stock will include: • Tape • Respirators • Absorbent Products and more...

We look forward to serving your 3M needs.

Archway Marine Lighting 2739 Washington Avenue

St. Louis, MO 03103

Phone: 314/535-1314 • Toll Free: 1-800-737-1314 Fax: 314/535-5471 • Toll Free l ax: 1-800-627-1065

Phil Ransdell Phone & Fax: 504/436-3226

Circle 206 on Reader Service Card www. maritimereporterinfo. com

Why wait for a welde

Join and seal pipes in less than 15 minutes

With a NORMACONNECT® coupling and a torque wrench, anyone can connect high- pressure pipes in minutes — and they'll stay sealed.

Rugged NORMACONNECT8 couplings are 70% lighter than welded flange joints and take up 40% less space.

They also: • reduce noise and dampen vibration • save time previously spent on welding and x-rays • compensate for misalignment, angular deflection and variances in pipe O.D. • eliminate the pipe grooving and end treatment necessary with other couplings • feature a patented double-lip seal • are available in all IPS nominal O.D.'s, from 3/4" to 48" (26.9mm to 1220mm) • are rated at 16 bar to IPS 8.0" (219.1mm) by all major marine approval bodies.

For metal-to-metal, metal-to-plastic and plastic-to- plastic joints, you'll save time and money with

NORMACONNECT® Pipe Couplings. They're used on everything from ocean-going passenger ships (e.g., the first ones built in the U.S. in 40 years) to semi-submersible oil rigs.

For more information, contact NORMA Products or our marine distribution partner, W&O Supply. 0 •

Supply

W&O Supply

Engineered Products Division

Phone: (334) 438-2810

Fax: (334) 438-2817 e-mail: [email protected]

NORMA®.

A WORLD OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS.

NORMA PRODUCTS (U.S.), INC.

Phone: (800) 406-6762

Fax: (248) 668-9523

Website: www.norma.de e-mail: [email protected]

Circle 267 on Reader Service Card www. maritimereporterinfo. com