Benthic Geotech (Acteon)
PROD II - Launch and Recovery System
Designed a 20 ton Launch and Recovery System for the Portable Remotely Operated Drill (PROD II). The drill is used to collect geotech coring samples from the seafloor. The complete system is comprised of the launcher, umbilical winch, hydraulic power unit, and control van, and is designed to be utilized on a vessel of opportunity (VOO). The launcher consists of a telescoping and raising frame, with instrumented overboarding sheave. When in the stowed position, the PROD II rests on rails that secure the drill, with an integral work platform that allows access for maintenance of the drill. To launch, the frame is telescoped beyond the stern of the vessel, then raised, allowing the drill to be lowered into the water vertically. The umbilical winch stows 3000m of armored umbilical for the drill, and incorporates an overhead right-angle levelwind and hydrostatic drive. The entire system is operated by a 5000 psi hydraulic power unit. For transport, the entire system can be broken down and is designed to fit into standard ISO shipping container footprints, allowing the system to be shipped on any vessel that can accommodate TEUs. Along with the design of the system, also provided owner's representative services during fabrication, and assisted with factory acceptance testing (FAT) and commissioning.
japanese agency for Marine-earth science and technology
Hyper-Dolphin ROV Ballast System
Designed and built a ballast system for JAMSTEC's work class Hyper-Dolphin ROV. The system consists of two (2) titanium ballast tanks and a high pressure pumping system. The system allows the Hyper-Dolphin to deliver and recover heavy payloads at the sea floor, in excess of 4000m depth. As the loads are dropped or picked up, the ballast tanks can be filled or purged as needed to maintain the proper neutral buoyancy of the ROV. The cylindrical titanium tanks, visible in the photo at right, were milled from solid titanium ingots and are rated for depths to 5000m.
water emergency transport authority (weta)
Central Bay Operations and Maintenance Facility Alameda, CA
Provided multiple services in the design and specification of the new Operations and Maintenance Facility at the former Alameda NAS. Provided programming and planning for mechanical systems on the docks and in the maintenance yard, and provided planning assistance for the shoreside maintenance shops. Designed and specified the mechanical systems on the docks for maintaining the vessels, covering fuel, diesel exhaust fluid (DEF), lubricating oil, waste oil, fresh water, and waste water. The fuel system includes a shore side fuel yard with 48,000 gals of diesel storage, along with lubricating and waste oil storage tanks. On the docks are three (3) marine fuel dispensers, and connection points for a portable lube oil pumping system. Also specified a folding crane for accessing IBAs and other equipment on the catamaran passenger ferries.
maritime Gloucester historic marine railway
Preservation and Restoration Gloucester, MA
During the environmental cleanup of Gloucester's Inner Harbor, the outer end of the historic marine railway needed to be demolished to allow for dredging of contaminated sediment. Mechanical engineering included design of a replacement for the outboard chain sheave, replication of the rolling elements of the railway, and assisting the marine engineers with siting the replacement pilings. As part of this work, we had the opportunity to work with original 19th century plans and drawings for the railway.