Page 26: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (June 2002)

Design Insights clearly performance based. By intro- ducing the notions of risk and associated consequences, the regulations are poten- tially more rational and objective. I fear however that the cost of demonstrating compliance to such risk based regula- tions will be expensive.

Increase in sophistication of systems

The second trend that I see is the increasing sophistication of systems and equipment onboard vessels. Perhaps our future vessels will be "smart" with voice-activated systems, integrated command, control, and communication, and self-checking equipment to facili- tate maintenance and improve reliabili- ty. We are already seeing smart equip- ment as shown by two examples. • Electronic combustion controls on diesel engines — improve power, reduce emissions, adapts to load/mis- sion profiles. • HVAC systems — Self adjusts to reflect time of day, season, handles dif-

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Every technology has its flip side, however,. "Smart" equipment needs to be programmed just as your VCR needs to be programmed to record programs.

Just because you can program your VCR to receive TV programs two months in advance on alternate Tuesdays, how many of us need or want that capability?

Who remembers how to reprogram them when the power fails? We see the same challenges in these new sophisti- cated systems. As a firm, Elliott Bay

Design Group has had to help customers with: • Programmable electronic circuit breakers that trip off-line for no appar- ent reason.

False readings from sensor affected by radio frequency interference from power circuits or from voltage spikes. • Elevator controls where a loss of power causes the system to re-boot with a consequent loss of programming.

As an industry we need to carefully consider the benefits and potential prob- lems that come with modern technolo- gy-

Vessel Affordability

The third trend is a little harder to define but is no less real. I believe that

U.S. ship owners and shipyards will increase working together to make ves- sels more affordable. This means that the ship owners must become more knowledgeable about construction prac- tices. They need to understand the bal- ance between labor costs and materials costs, the impact of scheduling on labor productivity, and how contract provi- sions such as quality standards can impact the shipyard overhead. For example, bulkheads and decks can be stiffened by bulb flats instead of angles.

The material cost is higher but coating systems are easier to apply so the coat- ings last longer. A proactive owner will understand the life cycle cost benefits that result from different construction techniques.

Smart owners will ask their designer and/or builder about where the dollars are in the vessel. Sometimes spending more money on a piece of equipment that is easier to install can result in a net saving. Does the yard have preferred suppliers for doors, electrical equip- ment, valves, etc.? Why do they prefer them and is there a savings to the cus- tomer? Is the yard's standard detail for a handrail acceptable rather than the designer's approach? I think lhat more owners will ask questions and conduct a dialogue with the shipyards. Everyone will benefit.

The U.S. shipbuilding industry will also work smarter, not harder. On a recent contract for a fishing vessel we compared an overseas yard that could 26

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