Page 6: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 1997)

MARITIME

REPORTER & ENGINEERING NEWS

EDITOR'S NOTE

The U.S. commercial shipbuilding effort received yet another major boost with the recent order for two tankers from ARCO for Avondale Industries. While some industry analysts have derided the contract's $332 million price tag as too high, it seems the unique design of the ships — including a redundant machinery package — justifies the expenditure. The U.S. ship and boatbuilding industry's recent success is a major focus of this edition.

The main story, which highlight the diversity of products and services delivered by the U.S.' large and medium-sized yards, starts on page 25.

While the Maritime Administration's popular Title XI loan guarantee program has worked well in helping to deliver shipyard upgrades and vessel contracts to U.S. builders, another piece of pending legislation could similarly help drive business for the next five years. H.R. 1630, the Ferry

Intermodal Transportation Act, was introduced in mid-May. According to Art Dimopoulos, a lawyer with

Washington, D.C.-based Fort & Schlefer, LLP, the act is indicative of the U.S. Congress' recent attention to maritime matters in the U.S.

H.R. 1630 provides for a total of $90 million to be made available to the Secretary of Transportation for extensive feasibility, logistical and related studies, including identifying potential domestic ferry routes.

The act would deliver $35 million, over a five-year span, for a program similar to the Title XI loan guar- antee program — with the exception that application and compliance process would be simplified. The $35 million appropriation authorizes MarAd to provide guarantees valued in excess of $2.5 billion, or more than $500 million per year from 1998 to 2002. (Note: Mr. Dimopoulos is a regular legislative columnist in MRJEN's new sister publication, Maritime Week. If you would like a free trial subscription, fax or e-mail your contact information to my attention.)

While H.R. 1630 may help provide for the U.S.' maritime future, a recent find at the bottom of Lake

Champlain puts the focus squarely on the U.S.' maritime past. Associate Editor Nina Miller's story, start- ing on page eight, details the high-tech search for and discovery of a 220-year-old gunboat, in near pris- tine condition. Having served as one of 15 vessels in Benedict Arnold's fleet during the American

Revolution, the gunboat is now being hailed as one of the most exciting maritime finds in 50 years.

Gregory R. Trauthwein, editorial director

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