Page 40: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 1973)

SNAME Hawaii Section

First Meeting Of New Season

Gets Report On Floating Cities

The first meeting of a new season for the

Hawaii Section of The Society of Naval Ar- chitects and Marine Engineers was recently held at the Waikiki Elks Club.

Members, their ladies and guests were pre- sented an up-to-date report on the "Floating

Cities" concept by Guy Rothwell, chief engi- neer, Systems Sciences Division, Oceanic In- stitute. Mr. Rothwell's report supplemented a presentation at an earlier date before the Ha- waii Section by Dr. John P. Craven, dean of marine programs at the University of Hawaii, and Hawaii's executive director for marine af- fairs. The two-part presentation by Dr. Craven and Mr. Rothwell dealt with the concept, his- tory and the actual building and launching of a 1/20 scale model of the new design.

Dr. Craven's presentation described how a

Japanese architect has been promoting the idea of floating cities in order to alleviate the serious overcrowding of the seashore land areas in Japan, and that Japan may collaborate with the United States on one 100,000-ton module. This module could be ready for the 1975 Okinawa Fair, then used later with simi- lar modules for a proposed 1978 exposition date in Hawaii. The uncertainty is mostly fi- nancial—the estimated cost of a module is about $10 million.

In order to test feasibility, the Oceanic In- stitute received a grant of $85,000, which is being used to construct and test the 150-ton, l/20th scale model. About $100,000 in labor and materials has already been contributed by local Hawaiian industry and much labor has been contributed by University of Hawaii students.

The proposed full-size Hawaii Exposition

Floating Platform is expected to support a total population of 50,000—10,000 permanent residents, plus up to 40,000 visitors.

Taking part in the meeting, left to right: Rear Adm.

Kenneth E. Wilson, USN, outgoing chairman of the Ha- waii Section; Dr. John Craven, dean of marine programs at the University of Hawaii, speaker, and Dr. Manley St.

Denis, University of Hawaii, discusser.

Mr. Rothwell described some of the engi- neering considerations in the design. After analyzing problems and security of a perma- nent moor, it was decided to use dynamic posi- tioning to maintain a station about three miles offshore from Waikiki, with hydrofoil boats for main passenger service. Individual bottle- shaped flotation cells are designed for low wave response and reinforced concrete is proposed as the most practical construction for Hawai- ian industry. Assembly and launching of each cell would be from a special semisubmersible barge (or floating drydock).

Also participating, left to right: Ian M. Smith, incoming chairman of the Section; Guy Rothwell, chief engineer,

System Sciences Division, Oceanic Institute, Hawaii, speaker, and Comdr. D.F. Hoymon Jr., USN, papers chairman.

The submerged portion of the flotation cells can house all power stations, propulsion ma- chinery, waste disposal and service systems, plus ample warehousing space. The dynamic positioning system will present residents with constantly changing vistas as well as sun ex- posure.

During the discussion period, questions were raised about the total cost for, say 20,000 resi- dents. Mr. Rothwell estimated about $500 mil- lion which, on a cost per resident of about $25,- 000, seems economical in comparison with a land city. The cost estimate was based on a 30-module complex; each module consisting of three flotation bottles and structure.

Singapore Shipyard Seeks

Manufacturing Partnerships

Sembawang Shipyard (Pte.) Ltd., Singa- pore, has issued a brochure .titled "Industrial

Investment Potential, Singapore". Sembawang is seeking manufacturing partnerships and is offering land, buildings, plants and engineering and administrative facilities.

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