Page 14: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (May 2, 2010)

Incat Crowther Powers World Waterski Record (Photo courtesy of Laurie Reiner)

Incat Crowther supported the Horsehead Water Ski Club as it recently set a new water ski world record on March 28, 2010. The club had already set the mark of pulling 120 skiers from a deep start in January this year (the most ever pulled behind one boat), but with “only” 99 making it through the required nautical mile it was two skiers short of setting a new record. For the successful attempt in

March, the club managed to get 116 skiers started and still had 114 up at the conclusion of the nautical mile, smashing the 100 skier mark set in 1986. The record was set behind “Eagle”, an Incat Crowther designed 36m Catamaran Tour vessel that operates in Stra- han, Tasmania. The vessel was fitted with a custom fabricated boom across its stern to spread the large number of skiers out. Incat

Crowther provided structural design support for the boom and provided detail drawings for the manufacturing of all components and at- tachment points. www.skirecord.com 14 Maritime Reporter & Engineering News

NEWS

MHI LNG-FPSO Approval for Two Tank Types

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) completed development related to floating production, storage and offloading units for liquefied natural gas (LNG-FPSO), and has obtained two kinds of approval in principle (AIP) from major international ship classification societies. In tandem with intensified activity in medium- and small-scale offshore gas field develop- ment, demand for LNG-FPSOs, a new method of gas production offering mov- able capability, has been increasing glob- ally. Boosted by the new recognition of the safety and reliability of its proposed units, MHI will now begin aggressive marketing activities toward construction of the world's first LNG-FPSO.

The first AIP is for an LNG-FPSO con- cept that adopts MOSS type spherical storage tanks. It was obtained from

Lloyd's Register of Shipping (LRS) MHI plans to propose LNG-FPSOs incorporat- ing the MOSS type tanks to medium-scale gas-field development projects with one to two million tons per annum (MTPA) pro- duction capacity, a sector where large de- mand is expected.

The MOSS type tank has been generally considered unsuitable for LNG-FPSOs due to its hemispherical shaped dome, which impedes providing enough space for the topside plant on the deck. MHI has solved this problem by enlarging the tank size and reducing the number of tanks re- quired so that enough flat deck space for the topside plant can be secured.

The other API is for an independent pris- matic tank categorized as International

Maritime Organization (IMO) Type B*1, which satisfies international rules applied to gas carriers (IMO Gas Code); it was ob- tained from three classification societies:

LRS, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) and Nippon Kaiji Kyokai (ClassNK) of Japan. MHI expects solid demand for this type of LNG-FPSO mainly for gas fields with more than 3

MTPA production capacity. Although the independent prismatic tank type B LNG-

FPSO is considered costly than the MOSS type or membrane type, in which the ship hull itself functions as the tank's support- ing structure, it is capable of providing more deck space for the topside plant than the MOSS type.

Colonna’s Shipyard Expands

Colonna’s Shipyard, Inc. of Nor- folk, Va. announced an expansion, the new West Yard Marine Trav- elift Facility. Situated on 10 acres, it will accommodate the simulta- neous repair of up to 15 vessels in- cluding tugs, barges, ferries, workboats, and yachts. Featuring one of world’s largest mobile hoist, a 1,000 metric ton Marine

Travelift, it is designed as a rapid response facility providing imme- diate repair and a timely return to service. The Marine Travelift ac- quisition was partially enabled by a grant award from the Maritime

Administration Assistance to

Small Shipyards Program. The

West Yard Marine Travelift facil- ity equips Colonna’s Shipyard to respond immediately to vessel re- pairs on an emergent basis. It also allows longer term projects to re- main efficiently drydocked. The

Marine Travelift system is capable of lifting many other vessel types such as U.S. Navy and USCG pa- trol craft, in addition to specialty vessels such as casino and dinner boats. With two concrete slipway piers extending 325 ft. into the river, lay berth accommodation is met with full utility service and crane service for side-to loading. www.colonnaship.com