Page 30: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 15, 1969)

Against the blast keep your marine rigs working Just put your marine electronic equip-ment under the maintenance care of RCA service technicians. At every major U.S. port of call, these special-ists can help retain peak reliability for your electronic navigation and com-munications equipment. Experienced to service fleets or individual craft, they are at your service the year 'round, in fair or foul weather. You'll find these RCA service techni-cians listed locally in your port direc-tory. Additional information available by writing: RCA Service Company A Division of RCA Marine Communications and Navigation Equipment Service, Bldg. CHIC-225, Camden, N.J. 08101 Phone (609) 963-8000, ext. PH-311 ItC/l Matsumoto Yard Delivers Large Aluminum Boat With Gas Turbines To Alcan Largest commercial aluminum boat built in Canada undergoes operational trials. Aluminum Company of Canada, Ltd., re-cently unveiled the largest commercial alu-minum boat ever built in Canada, the gas-tur-bine-driven Nechako, which will provide pas-senger and freight service for Alcan between Kitimat and the company's Kemano power station. The 73-foot 9-inch vessel is capable of carry-ing 36 passengers in comfort, plus four tons of freight at speeds in excess of 20 knots. The new boat will replace the original Nechako, a conventional wooden supply vessel which is now in service and has operated continuously between Kemano and Kitimat since Alcan built the world's second largest smelter there in 1954. Designed by Alcan's Project Development Division, the vessel was built by Matsumoto Shipyard Limited of North Vancouver which has many years of experience in the construc-tion of aluminum gill-netters, seiners, fisheries patrol boats, a wide variety of work boats, government vessels and pleasure craft. The vessel's gas-turbine propulsion system was the responsibility of United Aircraft of Canada, Limited, who selected and supplied the major components. Installation was done by Matsumoto Shipyard. W. D. Bailey of Alcan's Project Develop-ment Division, said, "the basic design of this ship is applicable to a wide range of transpor-tation uses in Canada or in any country where the sea or navigable rivers provide essential communications." With minor modifications to the superstruc-ture or deck equipment, he said, a boat of this design can be used as a freighter, for marine research, for any seaway, pier or dock mainte-nance work, harbor patrolling or a similar function. "We are currently investigating a number of applications," Mr. Bailey said. The vessel is powered by two gas-turbine engines, each rated at 510 shp, driving con-trollable-pitch propellers through a hydro-drive strut transmission unit. These ST6K-70 engines are the marine version of the PT6 series of gas-turbine engines developed by United Aircraft of Canada, Limited, and have already been extensively tested in sea and oth-er saltwater environments. The Nechako has a beam of 20 feet 9 inches and a four-foot draft. It has comfortable air-craft-type reclining seats, as well as settees in the upper lounge. There is also accommodation for a crew of three. The Nechako is slightly smaller than her predecessor and because she is of aluminum construction and uses the most modern ma-chinery and equipment, she is about half the weight of similar-sized conventional vessels. E. W. McKernan, manager of Alcan's power operations in British Columbia, who has been responsible for operation of the passenger and freight service between Kemano and Kitimat since its inception, plans to have the new ves-sel make three scheduled trips per week. "The speed of the new ship will mean that we can cut in half the running time from Kiti-mat to Kemano," Mr. McKernan said. "Winter service in that area is very hard on wooden hulls, but aluminum performs very well under those conditions." The original Nechako was built in 1930 by Vancouver Shipyards and was used as a patrol vessel during World War II. It was purchased by Kitimat Constructors Limited in 1951 and was inherited by Alcan in 1954 when produc-tion started at the Kitimat smelter. National Steel Promotes Carpenter And Christensen ^Hr \ ?P I JJ-.v Don C. Christensen, Two appointments at National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, Calif., have been announced by John V. Banks, executive vice-president of the firm. Gordon N. Carpenter, former purchasing agent, will assume the duties of chief estimator, and Don C. Christensen, former assistant pur-chasing agent, assumes the duties of purchas-ing agent. Mr. Carpenter joined NASSCO in 1959 as a design engineer. He was advanced to purchas-ing agent in 1963. Mr. Carpenter earned his degree in marine engineering from the Uni-versity of Michigan in 1953. He is past chair-man of the San Diego Section of The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and is also a member of the American Society of Naval Engineers. Mr. Christensen has been with the company since 1967. He retired from the U.S. Navy as a captain after 26 years' service. He served as supply officer of an aircraft carrier in the Kor-ean operations and his last assignment was as force supply officer of cruiser destroyer force, U.S. Pacific fleet. He attended the University of Washington in Seattle, earning his bachelor of arts and science degree. Mr. Christensen is a member of the executive council, San Diego Council of Boy Scouts, and chairman of the Silver Strand District, Boy Scouts of America. He is also a member of the Coronado City Board of Appeals. In announcing the new appointments, Mr. Banks said, "in order that the company may continue to benefit from the strongest manage-ment team, it is necessary that we make man-agement assignments that respond to the shifting opportunities we are facing and at the same time provide for the broadening of man-agement skills in other fields." Fearnley & Eger Elects Lapsley V-P Special Projects Fearnley & Eger, Inc., has announced the election of Claud A. Lapsley as vice-president in charge of special projects, thus promoting him from his previous position as manager of special projects. Mr. Lapsley, who is a graduate of the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, has been active in the steamship industry for 32 years, both ashore and afloat. Gordon N. Carpenter 32 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News