Page 48: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (November 2005)

abundance of bottled water. Lines formed at the gas pumps, and even we got cut-off by a blonde and her finger.

But it was easy to understand. If you ran out of gas, had a breakdown or got hurt, there were bigger fish in your rescuers' frying pans.

It was a tough time and place for ethics. The whole region, according to the newsradio, was hoping that Rita would go elsewhere. They were were wishing the tempest on their neighbors, and it made them felt awful. Rita arrived at Boutte Friday night. Except for one very loud, angry thunderclap, we slept through it. The lights and the phone were off at 0630, but were back on with- in the hour. We thought we'd take 90

East to the Rte. 23 exit, the Belle Chasse

Highway, for a look at those two pogy boats on the road down by Empire. The drive up Rte. 90 revealed a few houses standing in water, but billboards had taken the worst hit in the night.

Compared to the icons of Katrina, com- pared to all fears, the region got-off light with Rita.

There were still squalls that morning, rain bands as they're called, that arrived periodically to shake the car and render the windshield wipers useless. We missed the requisite turnoff to 90

Business, and wound-up crossing the

Huey Long Bridge into New Orleans. "Unfortunately," states an encyclopedia article we'd read, "most people currently living in hurricane-prone areas do not understand the threat of storm surge ...

In South Florida, many people, houses and animals were virtually swept away by storm surge in the great hurricanes of the early part of [the twentieth] century.

Yet the collective memory no longer holds these recollections ... "

In New Orleans, that day, the collec- tive memory was reminded. And yet the winds, gusty as they were, did not seem like they would churn-up a surge. They and the squalls were annoying as we drove around town, but otherwise innocuous. Our mind changed when sheets of corrugated steel sailed close past the windshield, evidently part of a wall until recently. We retreated to

Boutte till the next day.

The winds had subsided and the weather was clear, so we were able to see from a half-mile away that there was a roadblock down Rte. 23. That's okay, we're press. We get to go everywhere.

We pulled-up to the sheriff's car, and jumped out with a gregarious "hi!" "You are blocking my roadblock," said the sheriff.

Didn't know you could block a road- block. Wouldn't that make us a deputy? "Please move your car to the northbound lane," said the sheriff, staring ahead through his windshield. We complied. "I'm press," we announced upon return to the patrol car's side, "doing a story on ..." "Can't get through," said the sheriff, still staring ahead, "road's closed." "Oh. What's the trouble?" "Flooding." "Oh. Still? I thought you'd be all dried up by now." Why was he still staring ahead? "So, when do you think it might open? Tomorrow?" "Probably not," he said. His tone clarified his fixed gaze.

We were too stupid to look at.

Convenient Package Sizes

Speed Production in Aluminum Welding

AlcoTec quality aluminum welding wire is offered in convenient packages designed to provide continuous twist-free wire in high volume for production applications.

Twist-free wire delivery ensures ease of use and consistent quality welds.

The packaging also maximizes product stability and protects product quality from the time the wire leaves the factory until it is put to use.

The wire is easily installed, and when empty, the environmentally friendly packaging is fully recyclable.

Most popular alloys and diameters are available in the AlumaPak 300-lb. drum for high production applications or the convenient 50-lb. AlumaPak

Mini for medium-to-high volume users.

For more information, contact AlcoTec toll free at 1-800-228-0750 or online at www.alcotec.com.

ESAB Launches 100%

Satisfaction Guarantee

Program

In celebration of their 100th anniversary,

ESAB Welding and Cutting Products

North America is offering a revolutionary pledge to their customers: 100% Satisfaction

Guaranteed. With complete confidence in their products, ESAB is the only manufacturer in the industry to offer this unique purchase protection, allowing consumers to buy completely risk free.

This guarantee is a way to show how committed ESAB is to customer satisfaction.

The 100% Satisfaction Guarantee applies to ESAB welding equipment, gas apparatus, hand-held plasma machines, and filler metals. The guarantee is valid for 100 days from the date of purchase.

For more information, contact ESAB toll free at 1-800-ESAB-123, press 5, or online at www.esabna.com/100satisfactionguarantee.

AlcoTec Offers Training and Certification in

Aluminum Welding

AlcoTec, a subsidiary of ESAB Welding and Cutting Products, is the technology leader in the manufacture of aluminum welding, brazing, and metallizing wire. As a result, AlcoTec employees are uniquely qualified to offer training, certification, and consultation in aluminum welding.

AlcoTec’s welding school incorporates theory and a hands-on approach to welding aluminum alloys, as well as one-on-one discussions with staff. Topics include general characteristics of aluminum, metal preparation, welding procedures, and inspection. AlcoTec also offers welder performance qualification and welding procedure qualification.

Training is provided at AlcoTec’s facility in Traverse City, Michigan; customized training can be developed to meet your needs. For more information, contact

AlcoTec toll free at 1-800-228-0750 or online at www.alcotec.com.

Trust AlcoTec for top-quality aluminum welding wire.

AlcoTec Wire Corporation – a subsidiary of ESAB ®

Welding and Cutting Products – is the world’s largest producer of aluminum welding wire and the only single source for all the aluminum alloys currently registered for aluminum welding applications. Our state-of- the-art drawing and spooling equipment, combined with proprietary processes, ensure the best dimensional, mechanical and metallurgical control in the industry. The result is wire with precise diameter, cast, helix, and sliding friction controls for exceptional feedability and lot-to-lot consistency. For your next aluminum welding job, ask for

AlcoTec by name. 1.800.228.0750 www.alcotec.com

Environmentally friendly packaging designed to maximize product stability and quality

AlumaPak 300-lb. drum and 50-lb. AlumaPak Mini provide continuous twist-free wire for ease of use and consistent quality welds

UIforward UIforward

ADVERTORIAL

Product of choice for professional welders.

Great things happen when you put us to work.

Circle 237 on Reader Service Card

Gulf of Mexico Resources Guidebook

MARITIME

REPORTER

AND

ENGINEERINGNEWS 48 Gulf Coast Resources Guide Maritime Reporter & Engineering News

MR NOVEMBER 2005 #6 (41-48).qxd 10/28/2005 10:18 AM Page 48