$55.6-Million Arctic Research Center To Be Built In Newfoundland

A $55.6-million maritime research center is under construction at St. John's, Newfoundland.

Named the Arctic Vessel and Marine Research Institute, the center has the potential to make research contributions to the offshore industry.

Studies concerned with oil production, vessel performance, and cold water engineering will be able to be performed at the institute, noted Neil Windsor, Development Minister of the Canadian province.

Target date for completion of the institute is in the spring of 1983.

The institute is being built and will be managed by Canada's National Research Council.

A feature of the institute will be a huge ice tank that simulates ice-covered seas, along with an open-water tank, equipment for designing and cutting test tank miniature models, a mobile data acquisition system and a data analysis center.

The tanks will be used to test the performance and seakeeping facilities of the model hulls, drilling platforms, and other marinerelated structures.

According to Mr. Windsor, the ice tank will be twice the size of any now in existence, thereby permitting the use of larger models.

The studies will include maneuvering in ice, and experiments in how to divert icebergs away from offshore rigs.

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Maritime Reporter

First published in 1881 Maritime Reporter is the world's largest audited circulation publication serving the global maritime industry.