Page 8: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 2000)

Investment in Design

A Manta in Dutch environs

By David Tinsley, technical editor

Flat-screen technology can be expect- ed to make its mark on commercial ves- sel bridges in future years, once the nec- essary type approvals are forthcoming and once the manufacturers' costs come down on the back of volume demand for flat-panel TV displays in the equivalent size ranges.

Kelvin Hughes used the recent Euro- port Exhibition in Amsterdam to demon- strate how the advantages offered by flat screens might be married with the con- cept of bridge system multi-functionali- ty on an unprecedented scale in the com- mercial shipping field. Its revolutionary

Manta bridge layout caught many an eye for its styling and array of flat panels.

But the thinking behind the good looks and ergonomic design springs from entirely pragmatic considerations. It reflects sensitivity to clients' increasing- ly sophisticated requirements and grow- ing expectations, coupled with a true understanding of navigators' needs on the part of a management in which for- mer seafarers are well represented.

Manta's adoption of high-definition, flat-screen displays makes for funda- mental advantages with regard to space- saving and to the compact nature of the central command position. Moreover, the system signifies a major advance by virtue of its multi-screen nature and the level of interswitching and display inter- changeability. which it encapsulates.

By building-in the capability for opera- tion in two distinct modes, spanning both the period when under way and also the time when alongside in port, the

U.K. technicians have created a bridge display system which can be fully used for a range of tasks while in harbor. In this way. the utility value of equipment with a prime sea-going role has been considerably enhanced.

The system presented at the Amster- dam show con- sisted of five dis- plays. although the company is offering up to 11 screens with fully inter- changeable dis- plays. and any permutation required by the shipowner. While at sea. the func- tions covered by the array encompass radar. ECDIS (electronic chart display and information system), conning dis- play. collision assessment and avoidance system (CAAS). alarm monitoring and control and communications, whereby each is available on any display.

In harbor mode, the same display equipment can be utilized for tasks such as power management, fire detection, security and video surveillance, office- based ship management applications, bilge, fuel and water tank control, and personnel locating. While the premium currently commanded by such a refined, functionally-integrated system will probably put it outside the bounds of consideration of most mercantile opera- tors, for the present at least, it is signifi- cant that interest has already been gener- ated among the space- and weight-con- scious, high-speed ferry companies and also in the cruise ship domain.

Moreover, the fast-paced development program that brought Manta to fruition has already been vindicated by a clutch of orders from the mega-yacht market, a field where design endeavors are truly rewarded in a financial sense. While the immediate business from such a capital- intensive, niche sector is all to the good.

The old style R4 Enterprise subcovers have a nasty habit of cracking, especially when the last capscrew is being torqued down. Designed to withstand only 1 80 Lbf-Ft torque, they have a history of cracking under much less. Powerhouse Diesel Services has engineered an answer to this problem. By increasing the support cast surrounding the bosses and rocker shaft pads, metal fatigue from rocker arm motion is greatly reduced. Combine this with a beefing of the areas around the mount pads and you have added insurance against over-torquing maintenance strong arms. In fact, Powerhouse added iron to ALL of the mounting areas of the subcover. That's why we call it the "Heavy Boss". This subcover was designed to withstand 680 Lbf-Ft.... tough enough to handle just about any kind of over-torquing. Keep in mind that the Powerhouse redesign has not changed the original configuration of the original R4 cover. The "Heavy Boss" covers are directly interchangeable with the old style.

Compare that with other redesigns requiring you to purchase not only the head subcover, but two new rocker shafts as well. Why? Well, we're not quite sure. Forcing a customer to purchase three new parts to fix one old problem is beyond our reasoning. Powerhouse understands the Enterprise better than anybody in the business. We are not a house divided; Enterprise is the ONLY engine Powerhouse manufactures parts for and services.

Downtime is costly. Don't complicate matters by involving any manufacturer but the best. Call Powerhouse: 800-545-5566 or 707-257-4360: email: [email protected]. _ . ___ ___. j

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