Page 34: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (July 1974)

Ships Float On Land

Using New Lift System

In Ship Construction

A new heavy lift system for mov- ing big ship sections and completed ships of 1,200 tons and greater throughout the assembly yard has been developed by Aero-Go, Inc. of

Seattle, Wash.

Presently being used in a large

West Coast shipyard, the new system floats the heavy units with Aero-Cas- ter equipment that lifts and floats a load on air film. Friction under the loads virtually disappears, and forces to move them are greatly reduced.

The Aero-Caster water film bearing system design and construction repre- sents the latest advancement in tech- nology. Thoroughly tested and pro- ven under severe load conditions, the

Aero-Caster has no practical limit in load-lifting capacity. Aero-Caster re- quires only a compressed air supply and a smooth nonpourous surface to move very heavy assemblies.

For literature completely describ- ing the Aero-Go System, write to

Aero-Go, Inc., 5800 Corson Avenue

South, Seattle, Wash. 98108.

Exxon USA Chairman

Sees Assault Mounting

On Private Enterprise

M.A. Wright, chairman and chief executive of Exxon USA, recently said that an assault is being mount- ed on the private enterprise system ih the U.,S. by its critics.

And he urged the business com- munity to consider the problem of restoring the credibility of business as a prime responsibility of busi- ness leadership.

Speaking before the 26th annual

Business Conference at Rutgers

University, New Brunswick, N.J.,

Mr. Wright stated : "For more than a decade now, the business com- munity as a whole has been de- clining in public favor. Business has failed to do as effective a job as its critics in communicating its point of view to the general public. "As a result, its critics have grown stronger. Substantial sup- port is being gathered for the pas- sage of legislation which eventually could lead to the reorganization and restructuring of many of our most basic American industries."

He pointed out that before Con- gress today are proposed laws which could have the effect of per- manently crippling the U.S. oil and gas industry's ability to meet pub- lic needs. "Of even broader significance, many of these proposals represent an approach which could be used against any U.S. industry," he add- ed.

For example, Mr. Wright said, current efforts to put the Federal

Government into the oil business in direct competition with private companies "go far 'beyond either reason or need. And what is more important . . . the pattern set against oil can be used against oth- ers. For example, why not a U.S.

Automobile Corporation? Or a

July 1, 1974

Federal Steel Company? Perhaps even Government banking or in- surance companies? Once prece- dent has been set, what guarantee would any industry have that it would be exempted from such ac- tion?"

Mr. Wright said businessmen must redouble efforts to restore the credibility of business. "Even more, we must work to restore the credibility of other in- stitutions — including Government.

Private enterprise cannot hope to prosper or even survive in a so- ciety which has no faith or confi- dence in its major decision-making entities."

He said business must carry its point of view effectively to the general public. "Business will be unable to per- suade legislators to respond posi- tively to business needs until pub- lic opinion toward the business community has shifted to the posi- tive," he explained.

And he said business must rec- ognize the interdependence of the total business community, monitor- ing and acting on all matters affect- ing business in general. "We must become alert to all that happens in Washington—not just to the activities which affect our own industry," he concluded. 91 SHIPYARDS IN 39 COUNTRIES NOW

BUILDING, REPAIRING AND LAUNCHING

ALL TYPES OF VESSELS WITH ... syncR0LIFT DRYDOCKS AND TRANSFER SYSTEMS

FOR VESSELS UP TO 60,000 TONS D.W.T.

Keep Your Marine

Equipment Ship Shape

Out-of-shape equipment needs im- mediate and professional service, the only kind of attention Bludworth knows. Repair, complete design, construction of all inland and off-' shore marine equipment. Excellent accessibility on Houston Ship Chan- nel. • 1700 Ton Drydock (78'x150') • Marine Railways: 1000 Ton, 2000 Ton • Covered Fabrication

Facilities • 4000 Feet ol Water

Frontage

TO ASSIST YOU IN PLANNING A NEW DRYDOCK

INSTALLATION, WE WILL VISIT YOUR SITE ANY-

WHERE IN THE WORLD AT NO COST OR OBLIGATION.

WRITE TO: PEARLSON ENGINEERING CO.

P O. Box 560008 (8970 S.W. 87th Ct.) Miami, Fla. 33156 U.S.A.

Phone (305) 271-5721 Telex 051-9340 Cable SYNCRO LI FT 13