Page 42: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (October 1981)

MarAd To Fund Installation

Costs For Defense Radio

Gear On Merchant Ships

The U.S. Maritime Administra- tion (MarAd) will fund the instal- lation costs for U.S.-flag merchant ships of defense communications systems compatible with the

Navy's "highest capacity system" when funds are available.

MarAd recently proposed rules to cover the application and ap- proval process for this equipment, which includes a high-frequency transmitter, high-frequency re- ceiver, radioteletype system with automatic error correction, mar- itime digital selective calling sys- tem, and a Marisat terminal.

The equipment is considered a national defense feature, and the owners will be encouraged to use it. Maintenance of the system will be charged to the owner's ac- count. A change in law last year allows such retrofitting.

Any owner of a U.S.-flag ship in excess of 1,000 gt may apply for reimbursement for the pur- chase and installation of the equipment. Estimated cost of the communication equipment was put at perhaps $120,000 per ves- sel. Installation was believed to take up to two weeks, depending on existing wiring.

There are some 530 privately- owned U.S.-flag ships large enough to be affected by this pro- posal.

The order of priority consider- ation is:

U.S.-built, U.S.-flag 1. barge carriers 2. product tankers 3. self-sustaining dry cargo ships 4. ro/ro's 5. containerships 6. dry bulk cargo ships

U.S.-flag 7. barge carriers 8. product tankers 9. self-sustaining dry bulk cargo ships 10. ro/ro's 11. containerships 12. dry bulk cargo ships

Design Semisubmersible

For Use In Arctic

Ice Conditions

A new design for an ice- strengthened semisubmersible mobile offshore drilling unit has been developed by MACS of Aber- deen, Scotland. The unit has re- ceived warm interest, according to John McLean, head of MACS's design department.

Mr. McLean reported recently that four major oil companies and two drilling contractors had expressed interest for possible use on the Canadian east coast and other Arctic locations where offshore drilling is limited to the ice-free season.

The design, dubbed the "Ice

Maiden," calls for a 40,300-ton unit capable of drilling in 1,600 feet of water on anchors and up to 6,000 with the use of dynamic positioning.

A model of the rig is currently undergoing ice tests in Wartsila's laboratory, Finland, and has re- ceived initial design approval from Det norske Veritas. "The vessel will extend the drilling season and will be the first to be able to go into and out of ice under its own power and in safety," said Mr. McLean.

Literature Available

On Full Line Of

Kohlenberg Products

Kahlenberg Bros. Co., Two Riv- ers, Wis., has published several brochures describing a wide range of marine products manufactured by the 86-year-old company. Each brochure contains a description of the product line, as well as photographs, specifications, di- mensions, and accessories avail- able.

The brochures describe over 25 models of Kahlenberg airhorns, a full line of marine propellers including constant pitch, adjust- able pitch and custom, piston horns, muff couplings and air/ steam whistles.

For free copies of the Kahlen- berg literature,

Write 11 on Reader Service Card 48 Write 210 on Reader Service Card Maritime Reporter/Engineering News