Page 91: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (April 1992)

U.S.-Built NSF

Research Icebreaker

Begins Operation

The nation's first commercial icebreaking research ship, the

Nathaniel B. Palmer, recently be- gan operation for the National Sci- ence Foundation (NSF) U.S. Ant- arctic Program.

To be operated under the direc- tion of Antarctic Support Associates (ASA), a joint venture of Holmes &

Narver, Services, Inc. (HNSI), Or- ange, Calif., and EG&G, Inc.,

Wellesley, Mass., the Nathaniel B.

Palmer was developed for the ex- press purpose of supporting research in Antarctica. NSF has commis- sioned the ship under a long-term lease with Edison Chouest Offshore,

Galliano, La., whose subsidiary,

North American Shipbuilding, built the vessel.

The Palmer has been under con- struction for the past two years at

Larose, La., from where she recently departed for sea trials in the Gulf of

ENVIROVAC sewage systems solve all your marine sanitation needs.

EVAC Vacuum Toilet System

STANDARD DESIGN AND COMPONENTS - NO SPECIAL ENGINEERING vacuum piping for toilets overboard discharge recirculating pump • Low volume fresh water flush toilet (2 pints/flush) • Small diameter piping... 1-1/2" and 2" • Reduces sewage volume by 90% • Flexible piping layout... with vertical lift • Reduced holding tank size... 80% smaller • Eliminated toilet vents • Lowers material, labor and topside piping weight • Proven history of reliability • Over2,000 marine installations worldwide

ENVIROVAC INC. 1260 Turret Drive Rockford, IL 61111 U.S.A

Toll Free: 800/435-6951 IL: 815/654-8300 FAX: 815/654-8306 TELEX: 257-415

ORCA n Marine Sanitation Device

SIZING TO FIT 12 TO 500 PEOPLE • Microprocessor Control and Monitoring System • Simple Operation & Maintenance • Fully Automatic Hands-off Operation • Simple and Inexpensive Installation • Compact and Lightweight • Designed Specifically for the Marine Industry • In Use on Vessels Worldwide • U.S.C.G. Certified and IMO Approved

ORCA HA (12-36 People) ORCA n (165-500 People)

Circle 295 on Reader Service Card

VO/PER TMORNYCROFT CONTROLS

Integrated ring Systems

Propulsion Control and Monitoring

Auxiliary Machinery

Control and Monitoring

Integrated Platform

Management Systems

System Engineering

Installation and Commissioning

Electrical Distribution

Systems

Ship Manoeuvering

Systems

Complete Propulsion

Packages

Integrated Bridge Systems

Through Life Support . . . ... . l-.W.'.;.;.-. .

Vosper Thornycroft (UK) Ltd Controls Division,

Cow Lane, Wymering, Portsmouth P06 3TR, England

Telephone: +44 705 373511 Fax: +44 705 326885 Telex: 86528 VT PROD G

Circle 300 on Reader Service Card 104

Mexico. Following her debut cer- emonies in Port Fourchon, La., she departed for the Antarctic via Punta

Arenas, Chile.

The unique vessel is designed to traverse the polar seas for a multi- tude of research projects, transport- ing scientists to remote ice-locked locales in Antarctica and allowing them to conduct varied scientific activities on board.

Under the supervision of ASA support personnel, the Palmer's maiden assignment will involve ro- tation of scientists from a mile long ice floe where the first Russian-

American ice station was launched in mid-February in Antarctica's

Weddell Sea. The project is gather- ing vital data on global climate and ocean currents that are key to deter- mining the effects of global warming.

To break through ice three feet thick, the Palmer uses a control- lable-pitch thruster that will acti- vate the ship's 13,000-hp main en- gines.

Unusual for an icebreaker, the 308-1/2-foot Palmer can navigate rough open seas, rolling less than 8 degrees in 16-foot waves and can accommodate 37 scientists in out- door temperatures that reach -50 degrees F.

Operational cruises may last for three months and cover 15,000 miles.

The vessel carries several acous- tical systems, including equipment for seismic recording, echo sound- ing and acoustic navigation and a

Doppler speed log capable of cur- rent profiling at up to 400-meter water depth. A helicopter hangar and a flight deck also are on board.

USCG Sponsors

Industry Day, May 8,

In New Orleans

The Eighth Coast Guard District is sponsoring a 1992 Industry Day and luncheon at the Doubletree

Hotel New Orleans. A general ses- sion and six small group sessions will be held to discuss such topics as: "Licensing"; "Drug Testing"; "OPA 90"; "User Fees"; "Inspections"; "Outer Continental Shelf'; "Water- ways Management"; and "Facility and Vapor Recovery" issues.

The $32 cost of the affair will include a banquet-style lunch, snacks and handouts.

For applications and to suggest specific topics for discussion, con- tact Lt. Comdr. Ken Parris at (504) 589-6271.

Holmes Bros. To Repair

Floating Navy Drydock

Under $117,000 Pact

Holmes Brothers Enterprises,

Inc., Portsmouth, Va., received $117,000 to perform repairs to the

Navy auxiliary floating drydock USS

Sustain (AFDM-7).

Maritime Reporter/Engineering News