M a n g o n e Delivers Research Vessel, W e s t e r n Strait, To Western Geophysical

The Western Strait, a highly sophisticated 185-foot geophysical research vessel with an SCR Diesel Electric propulsion system, has been delivered to Western Geophysical Company by Mangone Shipbuilding Company, a subsidiary of Stewart and Stevenson Services, Inc.

Constructed at the Mangone yard in Houston, Texas, the ship's first assignment is in South American waters. Don L. Godeau, vice president and general manager of Mangone Shipbuilding, said the Western Strait joins a Western Geophysical fleet of some 30 vessels which are engaged in offshore research throughout the world.

Built specifically for research and e x p l o r a t i o n , the Western Strait is 185 feet in length, has a 38-foot beam, a 16-foot depth and a 13-foot 8-inch draft. The ship has a range of 11,500 miles and a working capacity of 38 days. Cruising speed is approximately 13 knots. Quarters are fully air-conditioned, with accommodations for 39 geophysical personnel and crew members.

The SCR Diesel Electric propulsion system supplies electric power with two 16V 149T1 Detroit Diesel engines each driving a 1,100-kw Kato a-c generator, p r o v i d i n g p o w e r through SCR equipment to two Westinghouse 1,000-hp d-c motors with a Cotta marine gear on each shaft.

Auxiliary g e n e r a t o r s aboard the Western Strait include one 250-kw set powered by a 12V71 Detroit Diesel and one 150-kw unit powered by an 8V71 Detroit Diesel.

A 48-inch Murray and Tregurtha Harbor Master BT-375 bowthruster is driven by a 1,000- hp W e s t i n g h o u s e d-c electric motor.

The SCR propulsion system controls developed by International Switchboard Company are operated from a pilothouse control panel.

The ship's electronics include a Decca autopilot, Sperry gyrocompass, Raytheon DE-731 recording Fathometer, Leigh Class A E.P.- I.R.B., two Decca 65121 radar units, intercom system, and VHF and SSB r a d i o s . She is also equipped with Azimuth stabilizers and a COMSAT 3941 satellite communications system with telephone and telex.

Geophysical research equipment aboard the W e s t e r n S t r a i t includes an LRS-888 Seis Recording System with 100 channels; a complete satellite navigation system c o n s i s t i n g of Hewlett-Packard Mini-computer, Doppler, Loran C, and satellite receiver; and nine TV monitors. Other equipment includes a LaCoste and Romberg Gravity meter, Geometries magnetometer, K r u p p f a t h o m e t e r, LRS-100 synchronizers, 20 air guns, six 5,000-psi electric-drive compressors, eight remote control "birds" for stabilizing- cable at a certain depth, and a 48 group cable.

The vessel is also equipped with flume stabilization system, Halon firefighting system, Pitman #757 five-ton crane, a welding machine and a motor-generator set for clean power to the geophysical equipment.

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