Page 100: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 1992)

COMSAT Offering Low

Rate For Satellite Services

Washington, D.C.-based COM-

SAT Mobile Communications re- cently announced its lowest rate ever for mobile satellite communications services, which will be available through new digital services that utilize Inmarsat-M and Inmarsat-B technology.

This low price will be available to customers equipped with upgraded 2.2-meter multi-channel antennas similar to those currently in use for

Inmarsat-A services, and will bring the rate of calls down to $3.95 per minute. The company said it plans to file its tariff for the service with the Federal Communications Com- mission (FCC) shortly.

Ronald J. Mario, president of

COMSAT Mobile Communications, said: "COMSAT's new digital ser- vice, which will be available to the marketplace by mid-1992, will pro- vide 'passenger quality' digital voice, facsimile and data transmission ser- vices." "The $3.95 multi-channel rate reflects an efficient use of the system by using both a digital tech- nology and a larger antenna that reduces the amount of power re- quired of the satellites. Potential users of this new service include any customer requiring multiple tele- phone and data channels, such as: cruise vessels, seismic, factory or research vessels with crew that are at sea for an extended period of time; and land transportable cus- tomers who have multiple users on a single system," he continued.

Mr .Mario said that as the num- ber of customers for this service in- creases, the cost of both the service and equipment will continue to come down.

For free literature regarding

COMSAT's satellite communica- tions services,

Circle 24 on Reader Service Card

BP Offers Owners Bunker

Price Stabilization Schemes

British Petroleum (BP) is offer- ing ship owners who would like to stabilize the price of their bunker oil supplies a choice between an option scheme or the swap mechanism.

The option buyer secures protec- tion from prices rising above a set ceiling or strike price. For the pay- ment of a set fee for each ton of oil purchased, the owner purchases his bunker fuel for a fixed rate and pe- riod of time, for example, $6 for each ton of bunker oil in addition to the strike price of $80 per ton. If prices fall to $78 per ton, the buyer can purchase the cheaper fuel oil with- out paying the $6 fee. This strategy insures against rising prices while retaining the benefits of low prices should the market fall.

In the case of the swap mecha- nism the buyer purchases bunker oil at the $80 strike price without paying any initial fees. Instead, if the market price drops to $78, the owner pays BP the $2 difference per ton of oil purchased, while in the event prices rise to $83, BP pays the buyer the $3 difference. The result is that the buyer is locked into the oil market price of $80.

Both schemes are tailed to suit individual shipping companies.

HI I fctte!t^f

It's a big project, and it's important to you. When it's time to take the next step, you don't want to "take a number." You want a shipyard that will work with you to get the job done. One that knows that your project is unique, and has what it takes to do it right. A shipyard with a reputation for quality, productivity, and customer service that's second to none. A shipyard like Todd. If it's important to you, it's important

Seattle, Washington • tel 206.623.1635 • fax 206.623.5630

Ship design • Conversion • Overhaul • Mkl-hodies • Repairs

ELECTRIC WINCHES • DIRECT DRIVE • FAIL SAFE BRAKING - STANDARD • POWER IN & POWER OUT - FULLY REVERSING • NUMEROUS OPTIONS TO SUIT YOUR APPLICATIONS

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JEAMAR WINCHES INC 1051 Clinton St., Buffalo, N.Y. 14206

TEL (716) 854-3211 FAX (416) 889-3795

Dehumidification, Sealing

And Monitoring Systems

Installed By L&C

Circle 310 on Reader Service Card Circle 255 on Reader Service Card

The Seaward Marine Fender

Protecting Vessels and Port Facilities

Worldwide For Over 15 Years

Seaward International is the world's largest manufacturer of foam filled marine fenders and flotation products. Our reputation for delivering the highest quality, best performing products to serve the military and commercial marine industry is unequaled.

Seaward Products and Services include: • Dock Fenders • Ship Fenders • Lightering Fenders • "Donut" Pile Fenders • Foam Filled Marine Buoys • Flotation Products • Urethane Marine Coatings •Specialty Elastomeric Materials

For information contact Seaward International, P.O. Box 98, Clearbrook, INTERNATIONAL.INC

Virginia 22624. Telephone: (703) 667-5191, Fax: (703) 667-7987.

As an elastomer technology corporation solving the problems of fendering, flotation, energy absorption, abrasion and corrosion,

Seaward International has the experience and resources needed to solve your problems.

L&C Associates recently com- pleted the installation of a dehu- midification and sealing system for the Noble Star, an MSC preposition ship.

The dehumidification system is comprised of five dehumidifiers, each delivering dry air to one of the ship's five cargo holds. Materials stored in the holds are highly susceptible to moisture damage. Since the vessel is active, the dehumidifiers were placed on the main deck in contain- ers retrofitted especially for the

Noble Star. The containers were necessary because space below decks is limited. The containers also pro- vide a centralized location for the units, making routine maintenance more convenient.

For free literature on dehumidifi- cation and sealing systems from L&C

Associates,

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