Page 49: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 1973)

Computers/Manganese Nodules —Two Subjects Discussed By

SNAME Pacific NW Section

Principals shown above, left to right: Jacob Fisker Ander- sen, Pacific Northwest Section papers chairman; Russell V.

Carstensen, who presented the paper on "Computers";

David A. Swan, who presented the paper on "Manganese

Nodules," and George D. Salisbury, Section chairman.

The design for electrical and electronic sys- tem installation forms a significant portion of naval ship construction, conversion, and alter- ation cost. A large portion of this cost is in- curred in translating the installation require- ments of the designer into production draw- ings or other supportive technical documenta- tion. This ancillary documentation is generally produced after the development of the actual basic design to be implemented. Not only does this procedure constitute a poor return for the shipbuilder's investment in trained technical personnel, but it also partially demonstrates why such personnel are not readily available for problem resolution during the production phase.

This theme was developed in a paper pre- sented by Russell V. Carstensen, electronics engineer at -Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, at the annual Student Meeting of the Pacific

Northwest Section of The Society of Naval

Architects and Marine Engineers held on

March 10, 1973, in Seattle, Wash.

In his paper, "Problems in Using Computers for Electrical/Electronic System Installation

Design," Mr. Carstensen broke his subject down into five groups: a review of design in- formation required to accomplish electrical and electronic system installation; problems facing computer users ; conflicts resulting from lack of firm management guidance; loss of momentum through inconsistent or insufficient funding, and adaptation of the total organization to computer applications.

The technique of using computers 'to gen- erate issuable production drawings has been proved both feasible and directly integrable within a conventional shipyard production en- vironment. Mr. Carstensen feels that the ulti- mate reward of the use of computers will be closer liaison between the designer and the craftsman as ideas are being converted to func- tioning hardware.

Manganese nodules were discussed by David

A. Swan in the second paper, "A Study on the

Potential of Manganese Nodules as a Future

Mineral Resource."

Mr. Swan discussed the many parts of this nodule harvesting business—nodule distribu- tion throughout the world, mining methods, processing methods, economics of mining manganese nodules, and the legal framework for deepsea exploitation.

Manganese nodules, containing nickel, cop- per, cobalt and manganes? have become the most economically important sediment of the ocean floor.

When the deepsea camera replaced coring and dredging in nodule exploration, it became a very useful 'tool in more rapidly surveying possible nodule sites.

It is understandable that groups presently working on this relatively new mining tech- nique are not publishing all of their findings, but one possible method of recovering manga- nese nodules is by the use of a dredging head and a 10-inch riser casing through which the nodules are pumped to the ship.

The legal question of mining in 'the ocean will have to be resolved in the international political arena, Mr. Swan stated. Presently, no laws cover the mining of deepsea minerals be- yond the continental shelf; in fact, even the legal definition of the continental shelf is yet to be agreed upon.

There is still much to be done 'before the commercial mining of manganese nodules be- comes a reality, but the work appears challeng- ing, and the rewards are great enough to en- courage-the development of this future source of minerals for the nations of the world.

Discussers were Ken Wiegand of Boeing,

David Piper and Fred B. Brien, both of the

University of Washington.

Los Angeles Section Hears

G.E. Author Present Paper On

Gas Turbine Electric Propulsion

The March meeting of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Sec- tion of The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engi- neers was held aboard the S/S Princess Louise in Los

Angeles Harbor. Capt. R. Fay (left), Commander of the

Long Beach Naval Shipyard and chairman of the local

Section, introduced Ron Riggi of the Gas Turbine Inter- national Department of General Electric Company, who presented his paper discussing "Gas Turbine Electric Pro- pulsion for a Products Carrier." This propulsion system is to be installed in Chevron tankers soon to be built by

Gunderson Bros, in Portland, Ore.

The House of BABBITT METAL (A Century of World-wide Service)

No recycled metals are ever used in the production of our branded babbitt metals ...We guarantee our alloys to contain

Grade A Straits Tin, Virgin Copper and

Antimony. Ingots are uniform throughout and are free from excessive dross and porosity.

Appointed Eastern USA Marine Representative by The Glacier Metal Co., Ltd. London, England

Europe's Largest Manufacturer of

Plain Bearings

Vv'i V E. L. POST & Co., Inc. 233 Broadway

New York, N.Y. 10007

Phone: (212) BE 3-3460

WAGNER

Hydraulic Steering Systems for ocean tugs, trawlers, freighters and work boats... up to 350 feet

Smooth, shock-free hydraulic steering for careful maneuvering and heavy duty service. Systems include combination manual/power steering gears, hydraulic telemotor systems for nozzle steering, remote two- speed rudder rate control, and wheel, lever and auto- pilot controls. Thoroughly reliable, proven in 30 years service. Built to ABS and Lloyds standards.

WM. E. HOUGH COMPANY

MARINE MACHINERY 1125 P N.W. 45TH ST., SEATTLE, WASH. 91107

PH. (206) 784-8400, CABLE: HOUGH-SEATTLE

SHIP PARTS

MARINE EQUIPMENT

BARGES

SALE OR LEASE

ALMOST ANY SIZE OR TYPE

ALSO BARGE CRANES AVAILABLE

Various Whirley Cranes Available

Washington / Americans

Now Dismantling

Victories - Aircraft Carriers

Destroyers - C-3 Cimavis

Winches plus Booms, Engine Parts

Surplus Ship Parts and Supplies Available • SCHNITZER

INDUSTRIES 4012 N.W. FRONT • PORTLAND, OREGON

PHONE: (503) 224-9900

Mailing Address: | W.U. Telex: 36-0144 PTL 3300 N.W. Yeon Ave. I Cable Schnitzefbro, Portland

Moy 1, 1973 51