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Jltrasonic Thickness Gauge \vailable From Cygnus

The Cygnus Model 2, manufac- tured by Cygnus Instruments Inc., is a versatile, digital, ultrasonic thickness gauge, which converts for underwater inspections with the addition of an umbilical cord.

For underwater inspections, the

Cygnus Model 2 can be converted to a topside unit with a long cable for those applications when the user wants to view the measure- ments as they are being taken, or for when diving in dark waters. A long cable can be ordered in lengths up to 250 ft. (76.2 m).

Cygnus Instruments manufac- tures what is reportedly the world's first digital multiple echo ultrasonic thickness gauges.

Multiple echo gauging means that coatings, such as paint or epoxy, do not have to be removed in order to obtain accurate measurements of metal thicknesses.

For more information on Cygnus

Circle 77 on Reader Service Card

Single Hull Rule Compliance

To Cost $60.5 Million

The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) announced yesterday that all large, single-hulled tankers sail- ing in U.S. waters must meet new requirements beginning for some as early as this fall in order to pre- vent oil spills. The requirements apply to vessels of 5,000 gt or more until 2015, when all tank vessels operating in U.S. waters will be required to have double hulls. "President Clinton is committed to protecting the environment, and these new requirements for tankers will do that," U.S.

Secretary of Transportation

Federico Pefia said. "This action will help prevent accidents that result in oil spills and thus help protect the environment along our coasts and waterways."

Several measures are aimed at reducing human error such as requirements for proper staffing on the bridge, a watch policy tai- lored to each vessel, and an autopilot alarm or indicator to warn vessel operators that the autopilot is engaged. To promote the flow of information between a tankship's master and the local pilot, the USCG's new rule will require maneuvering performance capability test results, vessel sta- tus information and anticipated under-keel clearance calculation information. The rule also is expected to reduce the risk of acci- dents caused by equipment or structural failures because it requires better hull surveys and surveys of other systems such as piping and safety systems. To reduce the risk of spills involving tank barges, the vessels are required to have emergency steer- tems. These regulations were developed by the USCG under OPA 90 to provide substantial protec- tion to the environment as is eco- nomically and technologically fea- sible. This recent rulemaking was reportedly based on 187 comments from the public. According to

USCG estimates, first-year compli-

Circle 316 on Reader Service Card ments will be $60.5 million.

Subsequent annual costs will trend downward, leveling out at about $500,000 during 2012 through 2014.

U.S. tankships and tank barges will account for an estimated one- third of the total costs, and foreign tank vessels and barges will ing capability and fendering sys- ance costs for the new require- account for the remainder.

High \ensi\e strength

The design of Atlas Monofil with its special filament yarn ensures the unique tensile strength and shape retention of mooring lines in high-tech

Atlas rope.

AX SE\l Bayer

Bayer Faser GmbH, Monofil/Atlas-Seil • D-41538 Dormagen • Phone: +49 (0) 21 33 51 35 06 a Fax: +49 (0) 21 33 51 55 70

Bayer at the internet: http://www.bayer.com

Mooring lines have to be able to stretch. But only to within certain specific limits. Atlas rope, with its ideal overall stretching capacity, ensures you remain correctly positioned without adjustments to winches and hence also ensures rapid mooring and casting off, as well as rapid loading and unloading.

And that's not all. The high-tech moor- ing line irom Bayer is exceedingly light- weight and additionally offers a long life, flexibility, seawater resistance and com- plete freedom ^rorr\ maintenance. In short: you get more for your money with Atlas ropes.

Atlas rope: To ensure that you are securely moored.

September, 1996 27