Search our collections

The Nanhai Tiao Zhan is a unique drilling semi-submersible that was specially converted for the Liuhua Field in the South China Sea. The conversion gave it the ability to maintain station in a severe typhoon environment drill and complete horizontal subsea wells supply power for downhole electrical submersible pumps (ESPs) and support installation and maintenance of the subsea production system. Originally a Sedco 700 series mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) details of the conversion are given. The lessons learnt during the two-year project which was completed on schedule and within budget are highlighted.

The role of two work-class remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) in the Liuhua Field in the South China Sea is discussed. Their mission included assisting with installation and construction operations support and routine maintenance and inspection. Integration testing of all the ROV components was carried out to ensure successful field operation. During drilling and construction the ROVs were used to observe subsea activities and read pressure gauges. Improvements to cameras and anchoring equipment were made. Details of the ROV work packages and tooling are given and various operations are described including batch conductor setting riser installation measurement installation and retrieval (MIR) and clump weight deployment. The ROVs are permanently installed on the field's floating production system (FPS) although one can be used from a workboat if required.

For nearly 250 years Lloyd's Register (LR) has played a leading role in providing high integrity third party assurance of safety quality and reliability to the marine industries. LR's philosophy approach and long-term commitment to helping the marine community meet the challenge of continual technological advance through its strategically planned research and development (R&D) programme focused on industry's requirements are demonstrated with some examples of current or recent work. LR's R&D philosophy and partnering in R&D is outlined. The development of classification services is reviewed. Intervention at design stage intervention over operational life and coordination of life-cycle data are discussed. The overall programme is considered.

A classification society is responsible for ensuring adequacy of the structural strength of classified vessels. The present status of knowledge of sea loads and ship motions based on strip theory (ISTRIP) and linear diffraction theory technique (IRWAVE) and a program for long term estimation (IRLONG) are described. An advanced structural strength analysis is described and three case studies relating to buckling elastoplastic analysis of a clamped plate and 3D finite element torsional analysis of a vessel are presented.

Best quality beaches are one of the main targets for resort hotels located near to or by the sea. Offshore breakwaters are an alternative for coast protection against erosion and-or the creation of pocket beaches particularly at locations where the tidal range is negligible or small. Offshore or detailed breakwaters are used extensively for coast protection or the creation of crescent beaches with success particularly on coastlines where the tidal range is negligible or small. Offshore breakwaters are constructed to reduce wave energy or to modify the wave climate at the lee of the structures and to enhance sediment transport patterns so as to improve beach width through creation of salients. Such works can successfully function only under specific combinations of wave long-shore and cross-shore current bathymetry and quantity or quality of sediment. The approach methodology for the design of low-crested offshore breakwaters for two hotels in Greece and Cyprus is described. Design principles and procedure are discussed. Case studies are presented and conclusions are drawn.

The purpose of this text is twofold: 1) to provide basic training in conventional machine tool operation; and 2) to provide the trainee with the knowledge needed to understand the latest machine tool processes and developments. Contents comprise chapters on: Machine tools: Measure of Man’s Progress; Measuring Tools: Semiprecision and precision; Bench Tools: Including layout tools and power saws; Drill presses: types, setups and operations; Engine Lathes: types, accessorise and attachments; Engine Lathes: cutting tools, setups, and operations; Shapers and planers: construction, types, setups and operations; Milling machines: Types, construction, accessories and attachments; Milling Machines: milling cutters, setups and operations; Grinding machines: surface, cylindrical, and internal grinding; Steel and its alloys: types and characteristics; Heat treating: Methods, equipment, and hardness testing; Machinability: variables and ratings; Numerical control: point-to-point and continuous path systems; Electrical energy processes: electro-discharge, electro-chemical, ultrasonic, magnetic pulse forming, and electrolytic grinding.

Comprises of 10 papers, entitled as follows: 'Studies leading to vibration and noise free ships', 'Vibrations of superstructures of ships - their causes - their remedies', 'Integrated treatment of static and vibratory behaviour of twin-screw 553,000 dwt tankers', 'Interaction and compatibility between machinery and hull from a static and vibratory point of view', 'Modern treatment of Stern Gear behaviour in view of difficulties encountered in the past', damping in ships vibrations, analytical and experimental investigation into a new two-stroke engine frame structure', Actual tail shaft behaviour on oil film taking account of propeller forces and moments', 'Some studies and researches related to the hydro-elasticity of steel work' and 'European-built sea barge carriers - their design, machinery/hull interaction and investigations into vibratory behaviour'.

Humans have long been intrigued by the ability of migratory and homing birds to cross great distances with high accuracy. A great deal of research has been directed towards clarifying the navigation mechanisms of these species. In many cases their navigation appears to be based on visual and non-visual cues. The most significant non-visual cue used by migratory birds is the Earth's magnetic field. Thee cues appear to be integrated to determine the direction of flight. The Bobolink a New World trans-equatorial migrant has a longer migratory path than any other species of New World land bird. The sensory basis of the migratory orientation in the Bobolink is investigated. The investigation involves behavioural morphological magnetic and electrophysiological studies. Methods results and discussion are presented for each of these areas researched. It is concluded that the Bobolink appears to use an integrated system for its migratory orientation involving at least magnetic and stellar cues.

Speed of the single large directly coupled diesel engine used to propel commercial vessels is controlled by electronic governors which implement the PID control law. These governors handle engine running successfully in normal conditions. However in heavy seas power and speed may need to be reduced for engine safety reasons. The ACME project (adaptive control of marine engines) is introduced. This was initiated to develop methods of improving control in such circumstances allowing for full exploitation of main engine power under extreme weather conditions. A system has been developed for propeller load prediction a few seconds ahead of time which could provide a driving signal to an engine control unit that would decrease fuel temporarily and thus escape excessive overspeed. A technical description is given. followed by results. Graphs showing results are presented on pages 462-464.

The ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) and NSSC (Naval Sea Systems Command) have worked together on the ship classification process of many sealift and naval auxiliary programs over several decades. They are now engaged in a strategic partnership to extend the long-proven process of ship classification to naval combatants. Together they have developed classification rules for naval vessels and are currently applying them in both the LCS Programs and the DDG-1000 Program which have required that the vessels by built and delivered in class to the Naval Vessel Rules. As a further extension to this policy to evaluate potential application to future programs the Navy's operational Fleets have decided that the LCS platforms will be retained in class as part of the ship's lifecycle maintenance philosophy. If this is successful then it is likely that the DD-1000 will also be retained in class. The background supporting this initiative is reviewed. The concept of retention in class is described and the approach adopted is outlined. The current status of application is reviewed.

PEMEX (Petroleos Mexicanos) is undertaking a major upgrade and expansion of the Cantarell oil field in the Gulf of Mexico in order to increase reserves and crude oil production to use all the gas by adding sufficient compression and process capacity and to modernise existing facilities to improve operational safety and efficiency. The management of the Akal C production operations is described together with an overview of the scope of operations conducted at Akal C to extract and treat the oil and gas and a description of the managerial organisation methodology and work processes. Oil production gas production and maintenance activities are described. Diagrams appear on pages 5 to 7.

US Navy ships generate used HM (hazardous material) during the operation and maintenance of machinery and equipment and the cleaning and preservation of ship spaces. In order to protect the environment and prevent the unnecessary release of harmful products to the world's oceans the Navy established a policy that requires most used HM to be retained on board (with a few exceptions) until it can be turned over to a shore activity for processing. The shore activity is responsible for determining whether the material may be reused as is processed and then reused or has no further use and must be disposed of as an HW (hazardous waste). Several problems result from the Navy's used HM policy. These issues are addressed and solutions are discussed. These solutions will enable the Navy to reduce the amount of used HM generated by its ships effectively removing the material from the ship to a supporting Navy shore activity streamline and standardise the ship-to-shore transfer process and train shipboard personnel involved in the offload of used HM.

Amongst all of the ecosystems in the world those of the wetland environment are among the most ecologically diverse biologically valuable and most at risk of degradation or loss. The Pevensey Levels is an area of reclaimed coastal wetlands located in East Sussex UK. Agricultural and land-drainage activities dominate land use and impact on water quality within the Levels. The dense arterial ditch network which drains the Levels suffers from nutrient enrichment. The primary drivers behind the increase in nutrient concentrations are agricultural intensification conversion to arable farming and point source pollution. A study is presented which describes water quality data from January 1994 to July 2005 in order to discern temporal and spatial nutrient trends. The study seeks to address some of the issues related to environmental improvements of lakes and wetlands within the constraints of national and European legislation and development goals. The study is part of a larger EU-wide Lakepromo project.

Fuel precleaning has become more important with the increasing use of residual fuel oils in marine diesel engines. The developments which have occurred in cleaning equipment and operational procedures are described. Some of these procedures have not been a great success. The main potentially abrasive solids in today's fuel oils are catalyst fines sand and iron oxides and the best fuel pretreatment to remove these is centrifuging. Details are given of such processes and the results of sea trials are presented. The effects of incorrect fuel treatment are illustrated and recommendations given on how to optimize fuel cleaning arrangements. Proposals for future development work are put forward.

The original Marine Engineering books were published in 1942 and 1944; since then the body of knowledge constituting marine engineering has greatly increased. This updated version has now been written. It is not intended to be a handbook or definitive text on any specific engineering discipline which may be used in marine engineering. Its purpose is to acquaint a person already familiar with basic engineering fundamentals with the various engineering disciplines and applications which constitute marine engineering. The need for such as book becomes apparent when it is recognised that many practicing marine engineers have had little formal education in the field of marine engineering, but instead have come to it from other related engineering activities. Subject matter includes general considerations in mariner engineering, thermodynamics and heat engineering, boilers and combustion, nuclear marine propulsion, steam turbines, gas turbines, medium and high-speed diesel engines, low-speed and direct-coupled diesel engines, reduction gears, electric propulsion drives, propellers, shafting and shafting system vibration analysis, pumps, forced-draft blowers, compressors and ejectors, main and auxiliary condensers, heat exchangers, distilling plants, hull machinery, electric plants, piping systems, environmental control, bearings and lubrication, automation, construction materials and petroleum fuels.

This text is part of the series Marine Engineering Practice, Volume 1, 11 unique books bound together in one volume. Only a condensed version of this vast subject can be given in the space available; this summary is principally intended for junior engineers going to sea and studying for their Certificate. The text gives historical background then covers the character of fire, precautions against fire, fire extinguishing appliances, fire alarm and detection systems, fixed installations, breathing apparatus, fire fighting on board ship and fire appliance questions in Department of Trade examinations

This text is part of the series Marine Engineering Practice, Volume 2, 7 unique books (Parts 11-18, excepting 17) bound together in one volume. This particular part is a 2002 reprint of the 1978 edition. This part deals with the operation of steam turbine installations in ships, with particular reference to systems rather than to the main turbine/gearing/boiler components which are well covered in existing technical literature. This book is written mainly for the information of marine engineer officers newly appointed to steam turbine ships who require some guidance on integration of operation procedures for the complex and interdependent systems and sub-systems which must function in harmony to provide safe and efficient plant operation. Much of the information comprises details of what should be done. Section 2 of this work deals with activating systems in a 'cold' ship, i.e. starting up a complete plant.

This book is intended as a reference book for Merchant Navy Officers, but sections of it are also useful for Officers who are studying for their MOT examinations and it is for the latter that some revision questions are included at the end of volume 1. The book consists of two volumes. The first volume deals with Marine Gyro-compasses, the second volume with Automatic Pilots and ancillary equipment as found on most British Merchant Ships. Contents volume 1: Preface; Introduction; Automatic two-unit gyropilot (Sperry); Gyro-Hydraulic Steering control (Sperry); The tiller pilot (Sperry); Gyro-electric steering control (Sperry); Brown automatic steering: review of types, operating instructions, the adjustments, maintenance, fault finding; Automatic pilot for smaller ships; The Arkas automatic pilot: general arrangements, the controls, working principles, pre-sailing checks, operating instructions, maintenance; Ancillary equipment; Brown GMS automatic steering control system; Automatic steering.

The purpose of this report is to provide a strategic framework which defines the objectives of a coherent national programme, identifies the most important areas of research where effort should be concentrated to meet these objectives, and suggests how the strategy might best be implemented. It is designed to provide an overall guiding framework in which Government Departments, Research Councils, HEIs and industry can develop and improve their own strategies to meet their responsibilities, but also to collaborate as far as possible to improve the performance of the UK overall and strengthen its role in international programmes and markets.

An overview of the involvement of Mobil Oil Canada in the exploration development and production of hydrocarbon resources offshore Canada's East Coast (notably the Hibernia and Terra Nova Projects offshore the Newfoundland Grand Banks and the Sable Project offshore Nova Scotia) is presented with particular discussion of: the need to develop new technologies systems and equipment appropriate to the working practices developed and severe conditions encountered; the need to devise new business solutions (including alliance contracting and risk sharing) to accommodate changes in working relationships; and the on-going need to meet stringent safety and environmental performance standards. Particular attention is paid to the importance of fostering co-operation and partnership between the energy and marine sectors of the offshore industry.