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JMS Hands On 1999
Table of contents:
ENGINEERING AND DESIGN
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Special Services for the Tank Barge Industry
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CargoMax for Reinauer's Barge Fleet
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30 Yr Longitudinal Strength Reports
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Computerized Maintenance Program for Weeks Marine
Tug Fleet
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Other Engineering Projects
MARINE CASUALTY RESPONSE
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Maritrans Signs Emergency Response Salvage
Engineering Contract
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VESSEL OPERATIONS SUPPORT AND MARINE SURVEYS
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Expanding Research Vessel Inspections
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AWO RCP Auditor Certification
DIVING SUPPORT
COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGERY
MARINE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
OTHER NEWS
ENGINEERING AND DESIGN
Special Services for the Tank Barge
Industry
Recognizing that a significant
portion of JMS's Emergency Response
networkTM [ERnet] customers consists
of tank barge operators, JMS has
focused its attention towards
serving these same customers in
other capacities. As a full service
naval architecture and salvage
engineering firm, offering these
outsource engineering support
services has proven financially
attractive to ERnet customers.
CargoMax for Reinauer's Barge
Fleet
Reinauer Transportation has been an
ERnet customer since 1994. JMS
provides 24-hour emergency response
salvage engineering to their fleet
of over 20 tank barges and maintains
complete HECSALVTM 3D computer
models for nearly every one. These
computer models are used for rapid
salvage engineering calculations of
strength & stability in the event of
a salvage incident. JMS has also
provided engineering support for
day-to-day operations at Reinauer
for over 4 years and recognized the
benefit Reinauer could experience
through computer-aided load
planning. CargoMax, a class society
approved loading program, will allow
Reinauer to quickly pick-and-choose
which barges will be most
effectively utilized for particular
cargo transits. Through "on-the-fly"
load planning, CargoMax will
decrease Reinauer's decision-making
time for more competitive cargo
contract bidding. Analysis of very
sophisticated load arrangements can
now be performed that evaluate
strength and stability of
hypothetical load conditions, thus
making Reinauer a safer and more
confident oil transportation
company.
CargoMax is a sister program to
HECSALV. Because Reinauer's tank
barge fleet was modeled in HECSALV,
and most data files are
interchangeable between both
programs, JMS is developing CargoMax
installations for their entire fleet
of tank barges at significant cost
savings. Development of these
CargoMax installations will be
completed by June 1999.
30 Yr Longitudinal Strength Reports
JMS is also using existing computer
models to perform USCG required
Longitudinal Strength Reports for
barges 30 years or older [46 CFR
31.10-21(a)]. Utilizing the HECSALV
models of the barges and their
significant shipyard experience, JMS
is able to offer Reinauer, and other
tank barge operators, comprehensive
reports and repair plans (if they
should be necessary) that take into
consideration their unique
operational needs. These reports
must be reviewed and stamped by
in-house Professional Engineers
[P.E.]. JMS's excellent working
relationship with the USCG has also
proved valuable when serving as
owner representatives, thus
expediting review and approval.
Computerized Maintenance Program for
Weeks Marine Tug Fleet
Extensive sea going and shipboard
operation experience backs the
technical expertise of JMS
personnel. This gives JMS a unique
understanding of its customers'
operations and requirements. JMS has
recognized a need, not only within
its own customer base, but also
throughout the marine industry in
general, for a more automated way of
tracking and initiating vessel
machinery maintenance. Weeks Marine,
JMS' partner in salvage response,
provides JMS with the heavy
equipment assets necessary for
large-scale salvage response. Like
most companies, Weeks' tug fleet
crews track routine maintenance of
their vessels' equipment the old
fashioned way - pencil and paper.
Until recently, these "log books"
were the only way operations
managers could check what
maintenance had been done. Weeks
contracted JMS to custom design a
fleet maintenance system, compliant
with the Responsible Carrier
Program, for all of Weeks' tugs.
This system includes a computer
program that will run on the
standard Win95/98 operating systems.
For each tug the program will:
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Generate schedules for
maintenance due.
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Generate reports of
maintenance items that are past
due.
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Record scheduled and
unscheduled maintenance history.
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Maintain a database of
vessel equipment specs,
maintenance procedures and spare
parts requirements.
Other Engineering Projects
Naval architecture remains our
core service and we have been
involved in a variety of
projects for an ever-increasing
customer base this past year. In
addition to those discussed in
this newsletter, the following
is a sampling of a few projects
recently completed or currently
underway.
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Structural analysis of
tankers for pre-acquisition
surveys.
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Class Society approved
gauging reports for overhaul
planning of tank barges and
ships.
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Reflagging of a tug & barge
including issuance of new Load
Line Certificates and Tonnage
Certificates.
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Conversion of a tank barge
to a deck barge.
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Design and oversight of
modifications to a 766-foot
Military Prepositioning Ship
operated by Waterman Steamship.
The modifications were the
result of a Military Sealift
Command directive for the vessel
to carry additional containers
on deck. JMS designed the
securing system and necessary
backup structure. The
modifications were designed,
approved by ABS, and installed
in less than 3 weeks in order to
meet emergent operational
requirements related to the
Kosovo conflict. JMS'
comprehensive services not only
included an ABS approved design
but also a revised Trim &
Stability Book, Stability
Letter, Cargo Securing Manual,
computerized loading program and
lashing diagrams.
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Generation of ullage tables
for a fleet of tank ships on the
west coast. The ships had
installed a hermetic tank
gauging system & required ullage
tables that correspond with the
new tank gauging locations.
MARINE CASUALTY RESPONSE
Maritrans Signs Emergency
Response Salvage Engineering
Contract
Maritrans Operating Partners has
signed-on as JMS' most recent
ERnet customer. Coverage of
their fleet of 30 tank vessels
began as of January 1st 1999.
Previously, Maritrans modeled
all their barges in the GHS
computer program. However,
Maritrans recognized the
strengths of the HECSALV program
and the high regard held for the
program by the USCG, US Navy and
other major players in the
marine transportation industry.
Maritrans saw JMS' combination
of salvage experience, naval
architecture expertise and
HECSALV modeling proficiency, as
a distinct advantage over
competing response providers.
Maritrans contracted JMS to
convert their library of GHS
models to HECSALV format. A
built-in function of HECSALV
allows for this semi-automated
conversion. Maritrans has also
expressed an interest in
developing CargoMax
installations for its fleet. The
first such CargoMax installation
has been completed by JMS and
has been approved by ABS for the
newly converted double-hull tank
barge M192. Incremental
installations for the rest of
their fleet will begin soon.
VESSEL OPERATIONS SUPPORT AND
MARINE SURVEYS
Expanding Research Vessel
Inspections
The National Science Foundation
[NSF], University-National
Oceanographic Laboratory System
[UNOLS], the Office of Naval
Research, and the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers have
recognized JMS as experts on the
operation of research vessels.
In August 1997, JMS was awarded
a contract to conduct vessel
inspections of the UNOLS
research fleet on behalf of NSF.
UNOLS is a consortium of 57
academic institutions with
significant marine science
research programs that either
operate or use the U.S. academic
research fleet. The research
vessels in the UNOLS fleet stand
as the largest fleet of
oceanographic research vessels
in the world. To date, JMS has
conducted 21 inspections of
UNOLS vessels from Alaska to
Panama.
The UNOLS fleet operates by
safety standards that exceed the
regulations set by the U.S.
Coast Guard. The inspection
program ensures these standards
are adhered to, resulting in
improved operating efficiency
and reliability of the vessels.
The inspection encompasses hull,
mechanical and electrical
systems, safety equipment,
training, records and the
oceanographic outfit. Our
inspection philosophy is to
identify which
institutions/vessels excel in
certain areas and transfer this
knowledge to the vessels that
need assistance.
JMS' research vessel expertise
is recognized beyond the UNOLS
fleet as well. During the past
year, JMS has been selected to
conduct research vessel
inspections for the Office of
Naval Research, U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers, U.S. Geological
Survey, Antarctic Support
Associates, the University of
Hawaii, and the University of
Minnesota.
JMS was selected by the
Office of Naval Research to
conduct a decommissioning survey
of the R/V MOANA WAVE. JMS' R/V
operations expertise provided
valuable insight into the
vessel's material condition and
ability to conduct science
missions that the Navy's INSURV
inspection would not have
provided.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
is currently constructing a
fisheries research vessel to
meet ABS, U.S. Coast Guard and
Research Vessel Safety
Standards. Due to JMS' unique
expertise with both research
vessel operation and naval
architecture, the USACE
specifically cited JMS as being
the only firm qualified to
provide certification that their
vessel meets these standards.
JMS has conducted hull,
mechanical, electrical,
scientific and safety
inspections aboard Great Lakes
Science Center [GLSC] ships.
GLSC is a part of the US
Geological Survey and Department
of Interior. It operates vessels
throughout the Great Lakes. The
results of these inspections
served as supporting
documentation for overhaul
planning and formed the basis
for a long-term ship replacement
schedule.
JMS has been contracted to
conduct inspections of the R/V
NATHANIEL PALMER and R/V GOULD.
These are ice strengthened
research vessels that are
operated by Antarctic Support
Associates in the Antarctic and
Southern Oceans. JMS will focus
the inspection on science
operations and safety during the
vessels' winter yard period in
Chile.
The National Science
Foundation requires JMS
inspections as a prerequisite
for any research vessel in order
to become eligible for NSF
funding of science operations.
As a result, JMS has recently
conducted inspections aboard the
R/V KA'IMIKAI O KANALOA for the
University of Hawaii and the R/V
BLUE HERON for the University of
Minnesota.
JMS personnel also have unique
qualifications related to
research vessels. In addition to
being degreed naval architects,
JMS engineers include
experienced ROV operators as
well as military/commercial
divers. JMS is very familiar
with the operational
requirements of diving including
remotely operated vehicles,
occupied submersibles and manned
diving. Unlike traditional
engineering firms, JMS naval
architects have gained valuable
experience at sea and many hold
licenses as Master or Engineer.
All of our naval architects have
considerable experience with
USCG regulations, ABS rules,
commercial vessel construction
standards, and Research Vessel
Safety Standards [RVSS].
AWO RCP Auditor Certification
The American Waterway Operator's
[AWO] Responsible Carrier
Program [RCP] is a code of
practice for their 300
association member company that
is intended to improve marine
safety and environmental
protection in the barge and
towing industry. This program is
mandatory for all AWO members
and requires third party audits
of vessels and management
policies to ensure compliance
with RCP prior to certification.
With a solid understanding of
shipboard operations and safety
inspection experience, JMS
easily acquired AWO Auditor
Certification for its vessel
inspection team earlier this
year and offers RCP audits to
all AWO members and nonmembers
alike. The deadline for AWO
compliance with the RCP is
December 31, 1999.
DIVING SUPPORT
MS Acquires DIT
JMS has completed its purchase
of Divers Institute of
Technology [DIT], the
well-respected commercial diving
school located in Seattle, WA.
Bruce Banks, JMS founder and
Chairman will manage DIT.
Commander Banks comes to DIT
with extensive, in-depth
knowledge and leadership
experience in the field of diver
training. He served over 20
years in the US Navy as a Diving
and Salvage Officer with tours
as Commanding Officer of
numerous diving and salvage
ships, as Executive Officer of
the US Navy Experimental Diving
Unit, and as Commanding Officer
of the US Naval Diving and
Salvage Training Center. Banks
retired from the Navy in 1988 to
form JMS.
DIT was founded in Seattle, WA
in 1968 and is located on the
Washington Ship Canal. DIT is
accredited by the Accrediting
Commission of Career Schools and
Colleges of Technology [ACCSCT]
and is a member of the
Association of Commercial Diving
Educators [ACDE]. Its facilities
include over 40,000 square feet
of dock and land-based
facilities. DIT's unique
location and numerous training
vessels offers a unique natural
diving environment and enables
students to train in waters as
deep as 200 feet.
DIT students are trained in:
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Diving physics & physiology
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Decompression theory
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Medical aspects of diving /
first aid
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Rigging
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Diving equipment
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Deep sea diving techniques
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Commercial SCUBA
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The hot water system
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Underwater working techniques
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Offshore industry terminology
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Salvage
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Underwater cutting & welding
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Underwater photography
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Underwater television, video & ROV
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Mixed gas diving
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Safety standards
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Haz-Mat
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Hyperbaric chamber operations
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Saturation diving
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Non-destructive testing
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Inspection reporting
JMS believes DIT offers the most
current, safest and professional
commercial diver training
available. The rigorous diver
training program is 7 months in
length [900 hours] with new
classes beginning every month.
DIT graduates nearly 200
students each year.
COMPUTER GENERATED IMAGERY
The Latest Discovery Channel
Project
Our latest animation project was
for a three-hour series on
nuclear submarine accidents as
part of the Discovery Channel's
new series called "On the
Inside". The USS Scorpion
episode first aired on 4 January
1999 and will be rebroadcast
throughout the coming months.
(Check your local listings for
rebroadcast information in your
area.) The series involves some
of the most complex forensic
engineering analysis work we've
done so far, made more difficult
by government secrecy. The
program includes details
regarding the search and
eventual discovery of Scorpion's
wreckage in October 1968 and its
re-examination in 1984. Most of
the material in the program has
never been revealed on TV, or
for that matter anywhere else.
This fast attack submarine was
lost with a crew of 99 when she
suffered, what most experts
believe was, an internal
explosion. She sank to the
Atlantic sea floor, where she
lies in three major pieces,
11,000ft down. Detailed computer
models of the sub were developed
to illustrate her design as well
as to recreate what happened
after the explosion. JMS
simulated the sinking and
"break-up" sequence the sub
experienced during her decent to
the bottom. By studying her
design, and debris field
photographs, taken from
submersibles that searched the
wreck, JMS was able to create
the first 3-dimensional
reconstruction of the debris
field scene.
Delta P Video for ADC
JMS has been asked by the
Association of Diving
Contractors [ADC] to produce a
short length diving
safety/instructional video to
increase industry awareness of
the hazards inherent in volatile
differential pressure diving
environments. Computer generated
images [CGI] and computer
animated re-enactment will be
developed to describe in detail
the past diving accidents
involving Delta P and ways they
can be avoided. The video
project is due for completion
this fall.
Safety Training Video
Distributed to UNOLS Fleet
During the fall of 1997, the
University National
Oceanographic Laboratory System
[UNOLS] awarded JMS the contract
to produce a safety training
video for its Research Vessel
Operators Committee [RVOC]
safety panel. The purpose of the
video is to quickly instruct
first-time-at-sea scientists and
graduate students unfamiliar
with the inherent hazards of
working in a laboratory at sea.
JMS began shooting the video in
the summer of 1998 and filmed a
significant portion of the video
on the RV Endeavor during her
transit from Woods Hole
Oceanographic Institute to the
University of Rhode Island.
During this short cruise, JMS
filmed scenes covering subjects
such as: man overboard
procedures, life raft
deployment, drill mustering,
proper on-deck work clothes,
fire prevention & control,
stability & watertight
integrity, electrical systems
and health and medical concerns.
3D-computer animation was
created for hard-to-grasp
concepts such as progressive
flooding and crane stability
problems as well as subjects too
difficult or costly to film. Dr.
Robert Gagosian delivered the
on-camera introduction and
closing remarks. The completed
video was distributed to the
UNOLS fleet in September 1998.
MARINE SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
JMS Supports Ocean Technology
Foundation Initiatives
JMS has recently formed an
alliance with the Ocean
Technology Foundation [OTF], a
Connecticut based not-for-profit
(501-(c) 3) foundation whose
mission is to "realize the
potential of the final frontier
on earth by stimulating and
supporting ocean exploration,
research, commerce and
education." OTF was specifically
created to stimulate and support
marine research, education,
industrial and economic
development with an emphasis on
undersea activities. OTF,
together with JMS and other
marine industry companies, are
developing national and
international programs that
include:
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Continued development of the
"Connecticut Marine Cluster" as
part of Connecticut's economic
strategy forgrowth.
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Implementation and operation
of along-term, comprehensive
Science, Education, and Marine
Archeology Program in Portugal"
in partnership with academic,
business, government, and
non-profit institutions.
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Development of aquaculture
programs that include
sophisticated research and
development centers that focus
on environmentally responsible
methods and new technologies for
streamlining the growth of fish,
shellfish, and marine plants.
OTF's long term vision is to
develop deep-water technologies
and state-of-the-art undersea
systems to support ocean
exploration, marine research,
education, commerce, and
government activities.
JMS president, Capt. John M.
Ringelberg, also serves as OTF's
CEO & President. In addition,
JMS has hired a full-time staff
member, Mr. Christopher Cooper,
to work closely with OTF members
in achieving common goals. The
alliance places JMS in a
visionary position within the
maritime industry, allowing JMS
to continue a leadership role as
the industry enters the new
millennium.
OTHER NEWS
JMS Pursues ISO 9002
Certification
JMS is implementing an ISO 9002
quality system. JMS is committed
to continuously improve quality
and will continue to evaluate
the level of quality by
measuring customer satisfaction
and how well customers need have
been met. Management
Representative Matt Wetmore
adds, "We take pride in the
quality of the work we do, so
certification will justify all
the efforts made by the JMS
team."
It is this inseparable
relationship between quality,
service and customer
satisfaction that has led JMS to
seek ISO 9002 certification. JMS
realizes that the success of its
Quality Policy is influenced by
the actions of all of its
employees. They believe that
only through the continuous
improvement of quality in all
jobs can customer satisfaction
be maintained, ensure their
competitive position, and
further their success.
Becoming certified under an
internationally recognized
quality standard has many
benefits; an improvement in
product quality, better work
efficiency, and significant
marketing advantages.
Increasingly, customers
acknowledge the merit associated
with certification and are
requiring some form of
accreditation in their own
solicitations. JMS expects to
undertake the final step in ISO
9002 certification, an external
quality audit, during late 1999.
Copyright 1999, JMS Naval
Architects and Salvage
Engineers.
JMS Naval Architects and Salvage
Engineers
1084 Shennecossett Road
Groton, Connecticut 06340
jmsnet.com
860.448.4850 voice
860.448.4857 fax
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