Feature 5
The NVRs address the bulk of hull, ABS continues to support the US is the new US Navy Destroyer, the
mechanical, electrical, environmental, Coast Guard’s Integrated Deepwater Zumwalt class (DDG 1000) which will
and safety related criteria for naval Programme, a 25-year, multi-billion also be built to ABS NVR, and as Tom
vessels and is currently being expanded dollar programme designed to replace Ingram, ABS manager of government
with a new Part Nine, detailing survey aging ships, aircraft, and communication programmes explained, various items of
requirements to maintain class, and systems, and the National Security Cutter equipment on the vessel will be classed
in January of this year, the ABS Naval USCGC Berthold (WMSL 750) recently by ABS.
Technical Committee was due to meet in became the first of a new class of cutters The range of vessel/platform types in
Houston to review a proposed number built under the programme. Apart from which ABS is involved is obviously very
of Rule changes and the new Part Nine Berthold and her sister vessels, ABS will wide, and in another recent development,
requirements. also class two other deepwater platforms, the US Army’s Missile Defense Agency also
‘We are able to contribute to naval the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC) and turned to the class society for classification
ship safety by incorporating the latest the Fast Response Cutter (FRC). of its Sea-Based X-band (SBX) Radar, a
practices and engineering principles, Preliminary design contracts for the mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU)
using input from the maritime industry, US Navy/US Army Joint High Speed converted to carry a large X-Band radar
in order to offer technical guidance for Vessel (JHSV) are expected to be awarded as part of the ongoing strategic defence
naval and other military vessels,’ Ashe early in 2008, with ABS applying its ABS initiatives. With in-depth experience with
explained. ‘The ABS NVR and the process High Speed Naval Craft Guide to the floating offshore installations, ABS was able
by which ABS maintains its Rules will chosen design, the JHSV being a multi- to provide invaluable input on issues such
serve as a catalyst for improvements and purpose high–speed support vessel. as mooring system design, and provide a
enable process efficiencies in naval ship ABS is also playing a role in the US critical analysis for the SBX, which now
engineering.’ Navy’s Maritime Preposition Force bears the notation +A1 Column Stabilized
In support, and recognition of, the future project, which is focussing on the Unit, +AMS, +ACC.
unique needs of military vessels, ABS ‘seabase’ concept for the transfer at sea of In the UK, Lloyd’s Register says it is
has recently increased the number of military cargo. As previously reported in currently involved in a number of projects
staff in its naval engineering department Warship Technology, the seabase concept for navies in the UK, Australia, Canada,
in Houston, and now has more than 40 is a new approach to deploying forces New Zealand, UAE, Indonesia, Spain,
engineers dedicated to US Navy projects. that demands an assortment of new Chile, Oman, Trinidad & Tobago, and
It also recently appointed a veteran types of military craft and equipment. Iceland, and is present at a number of
senior surveyor, John McDonald, to the ABS has been at the forefront, assisting shipyards worldwide where ships are being
post of assistant chief surveyor for naval the US Navy with various vessel types designed and built to Lloyd’s Register’s
engineering, and as of the end of 2007, and developing a relevant set of Rules Rules and Regulations for the Classification
had about 15 ongoing naval and coast for the different types of vessels. of Naval Ships (Naval Ship Rules).
guard projects. In the final stages of design development Some of the ships are being built to
Up to a dozen
t-AKE dry cargo/
ammunition ships
are planned for
delivery and will
be operated
by the Military
Sealift Command
(MSC). these non-
combatants are
being built to ABS
rules for building
and classing steel
vessels. this photo
shows the third
vessel, t-AKE-3
(Alan Shepard).
Warship Technology January 2008 27
WT Jan - p26+27+28+29+30.indd 27 08/01/2008 14:25:11
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40