Page 34: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 1996)

EUROPEAN UPDATE partition system in the passenger cabin makes way for a conference facility if required, with capabili- ties for overhead projection, televi- sion and video presentations, tele- phone communications and per- sonal computer use.

The transfer operation requires teams of up to 30 persons to trans- fer to or from the craft within a few minutes. This is achieved by means of hydraulically adjusted telescopic gangways fitted at the upper deck at the aft end of the craft. The outboard end of the gangway in use is held against the receiving ship's side with any movement corrected by sensors linked to the hydraulic system.

Design of the gangway was also attributed to previous experience, this time as seen in the gangway and crane arrangement on

Adamant, the 98.4-ft. (30-m) vessel built for crew transfer and subma- rine support for the MoD in 1991.

Two SWATH vessels are to be built for delivery in July and September of next year to complete a contract worth around $10 million.

Other personnel carriers are also on line for the MoD in the guise of refitted riverbuses. Originally built for P&O and Olympia & York by FBM in 1991-92 for service on the Thames, the three vessels —

Conrad Chelsea Harbour,

Veritatem and DHL Worldwide

Express — have been idle since the demise of the RiverBus

Partnership. Now owned by Serco-

Denholm, the facilities manage- ment company that has recently taken over the running of certain marine services for the MoD, each will be deployed at Portsmouth and Devonport to transport per- sonnel within the dockyards and to and from Royal Navy ships.

The catamarans have fiber rein- forced composite hulls, are designed to accommodate 62 pas- sengers, are fitted with twin

Scania diesel engines, and travel at a service speed of up to 25 knots.

The refit contract includes com- plete systems overhaul, repainting of the exterior and other essential repairs and alterations.

Revival of fortunes at Scottish yard

Ailsa-Troon Ltd., formerly known as Ailsa-Perth Shipbuilders, has made a remarkable return to prof- itablity in just three months since its purchase by the Cathelco

Group. "The figures for the first quarter are extremely encouraging and reflect the confidence of our customers in our capabilities against the background of new financial stability," stated Group

Sales Director Alan MacDonald.

The yard's ship construction hall, suitable for vessels up to 375 ft. (114 m), saw the successful comple- tion of a ferry for the Orkney

Islands, and a full program of repair and refurbishment work is reportedly scheduled through the spring of 1997. The company's two drydocks have already been engaged on the overhaul of Solea and St. Kearan, two coasters oper- ated by Gardners of Glasgow, and a number of Royal Marine Auxiliary

Service vessels. Work is also pro- gressing on two, 85-ton steel lock gates for the Manchester Ship

Canal.

Maritime Reporter/Engineering News

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