Page 104: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 1999)

People & Company News installations. PROD (Preferred Orienta-tion and Displacement) has been tested in practice by a number of operators of fixed installations, and is now being developed for FPSOs. PROD, which gets conventional lifeboats clear of the unit quickly and safely, includes a long flexible boom, which is mounted at the davit location, pointing at right angles to the rig side. A tag line runs from the end of the boom to the bow of the boat and when launched, the tag line tightens and the boom dips down like a giant fishing rod. This action automatically charges hydraulic accumulators mounted in the systetr, control cabinet. As the boat hits the st and is freed from the falls, the accumi lators take over and begin to raise th boom. As they do so, the tension appliei to the tag line pulls the boat clear of the rig automatically. The tag line which is attached to a unique hook assembly at the forward boat hook automatically releases as the bow of the boat passes under the end of the boom, at which time the boat is clear of the rig and mov-ing in the right direction. Smith Berger Marine, Inc. The leader in deck hardware for over 60 years. Fairleads and Deck Sheaves are IN STOCK at the following locations: PACIFIC NORTHWEST CALIFORNIA and TEXAS GULF COAST Rasmussen Equipment Co. - Seattle, WA 1-800-227-7920 FAX 1-206-762-5003 Waterman Supply Co., Inc. - Wilmington, CA 1 -800-322-3131 FAX 1 -310-522-1043 Rasmussen Equipment Co. - Belle Chasse, LA 1 -504-392-0442 FAX 1 -504-392-0107 Call for competitive prices and immediate delivery on Smith Berger Fairleads and Deck Sheaves. Also call for: ? Pedestal Roller Fairleads ? Four Roller Fairleads ? Flag Blocks ? Chain Stoppers ? Towing Pins ? Stern Rollers ? Custom-engineered equipment to your specifications Smith Berger Marine, Inc. 7915 10th Ave. S. Seattle, WA 98108 1-888-726-1688 206-764-4650 Fax:206-764-4653 E-mail: [email protected] BALANCED HEAD FAIRLEADS MODELS MD-610, MC-622 AND MD-665 Circle 335 on Reader Service Card Valmet. The name behind the economy and reliability in marine propulsion. ^ VALMET Valmet Power Transmission Inc., PO Box 158, FIN-40101 Jyvaskyla, Finland Tel: +358 20 484 126, Fax: +358 20 484 127 CARGO SHIPS ? CRUISERS ? RESEARCH, RESCUE, FISHING AND NAVAL VESSELS -TANKERS ? ICE BREAKERS Circle 353 on Reader Service Card rmm MANB&W Introduces Double Walled Pipes As part of an ongoing program for modernizing spare parts for its diesel engines, MAN B&W has presented its newest ? the fully interchangeable Double Walled High Pressure Pipes. Designed for the fuel and hydraulic systems on the 50 -90 and 98MC engines, the pipes increase the inherent safety with respect to metal fatigue. The braided steel hose surrounding the pipes contains insulating material and has the exclusive purpose of guarding the engine room staff from hot pipe sur-faces. In addition to their enhanced safety features, the new pipes are easier to han-dle and install, and are less prone to damage. Circle 87 on Reader Service Card Marine Exchange Completes Facility Expansion After establishing a budget of $865,000, holding public hearings and completing an environmental assess-ment, ground was broken in October 1998 for what would eventually develop into the new Marine Exchange building expansion. Both the architect and building inspec-tors who were working on the project signed off during the last week of July ? signifying the project's completion. Measuring more than 6,000 sq. ft. (1,828 sq. m), the new building is sig-100 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News