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tions, from emergency towlines to vessel assists. Puget Sound began a research program in the early 1990s to determine how to best manufacture ropes using

Spectraftber. As a result of this research, it developed a new generation of machinery specifically designed to uti- lize the full potential of Spectra fiber.

Company founders Dick Ryan and

Tim Sullivan developed the exclusive

Plasma rope recrystallization process that was patented in 1994. This process improves the rope's translational effi- ciency giving it higher strength, lower stretch and better abrasion resistance.

Spectra fiber provided Puget Sound with the high-strength-to-low-weight ratio needed to produce ropes that match wire on a strength-per-size basis. "The properties of^Spectra fiber allowed us to do what we do with our Plasma rope process," said Sam Bull, vice president of the Cortland Companies. "Essentially we take Spectra 900 fiber, process it through our Plasma line and depending on the final rope size and construction we see strength increases of up to 80 percent compared to a similar rope."

Circle 70 on Reader Service Card www.maritimereporterinfo.com on all 23 tugs in its fleet and has been truly satisfied with the results, said

Geoff Grosskreutz, technical manager.

Like many other operators, Queens- land uses Plasma ropes in a grommet configuration — a long circular loop of line with a Plasma rope tail, connected to the main double-braided polyester line that goes through the boat's fairlead.

This configuration helps to prevent chaf- ing of the rope and the Plasma rope han- dling tails provide easier hookup and handling. "Queensland is getting as many as 1,500 jobs out of a grommet and up to 5,000 jobs out of the main line configu- ration - compared to previously only getting 500 jobs using the whole line,"

Grosskreutz said. "It's an excellent prod- uct and has a good service life," he added. "We're extending the product life while increasing safety and reliability.

Puget Sound's rope is indeed cost-effec- tive."

Jeyco Pacific, a marine rigging suppli- er, helps customers add value to their businesses and reduce costs. Offering

Plasma ropes as a towing solution has enabled it to fulfill that mission. After using polyester and other high-strength hybrid materials, the company discov- ered Puget Sound's Plasma ropes in 1996. It initially took some trial-and- error to get the right sizing for its grom- met configuration. But Jeyco now reports 100 percent success with all its customers and has helped make Plasma ropes an integral part of almost every fleet in Australia. Plasma ropes have helped improve labor relations in the country between the unionized workers and management, Taylor said. "Tug operators and crews love this product because it's easier to handle and they can do their jobs quicker and safer," he said.

Strength from the Start

The Puget Sound Rope Corp., part of the Cortland Companies, specializes in manufacturing high-performance braid- ed rope for the most demanding applica-

January, 2002

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