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SEA TECHNOLOGY

Vol 40, No. 7, July 1999

10 DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMPROVED CABLE TRENCHING PLOWSHARE
Jeffrey A. Hill (Tyco Submarine Systems Ltd.), Richard Elliott (Perry Tritech Inc.), and Frank D. Messina
(SeaTech Solutions Inc.) describe the newest Sea Plow VIII that uses water-jet assist for better trenches.


17 NEW STANDARDS, GUIDELINES FOR FIBER ROPES
G.P. Foster (The Cordage Institute) discusses the new voluntary, consensus-based standards preferred
and advocated by U.S. federal and European governments.


23 CABLE TRACTION CONTROL
Per Ingeberg (ODIM AS) reveals how this innovative unit applies load-balancing, even detensioning in a
single engine, competing with conventional and linear engines for laying fiber-optic cable.

26 FLEET PROPULSION OF THE FUTURE
Edgar S. Thaxton (General Dynamics Corp.) explains advances in developing a common, integrated
electric drive—for a lower-cost unit delivering affordability through commonality.

31 POSEIDON: OPERATIONAL MONITORING SYSTEM FOR GREEK SEAS
Dr. Takvor H. Soukissian, Dr. Georges Th. Chronis, and Dr. Konstantinos Nittis (National Centre for'
Marine Research, Athens) describe the installation and benefits of an 11-buoy networked monitoring sys-
tem.

39 ELECTRONIC CHARTING AT NOAA
David B. Enabnit and Michael B. Brown (NOAA Office of Coast Survey) provide an update on the status
of electronic nautical charts and the newer raster nautical charts.

42 SYNTHETIC DOCKING LINES REPLACE STEEL WIRE ROPE
Caroline M. Holtzman (AlliedSignal Performance Fibers) offers a case history where tanker operator Arco
Marine Inc. went from steel to synthetics to reduce costs and improve safety.

45 NAVY RECAPITALIZATION REFLECTED IN STRONG SHIPBUILDING
Contributing Editor Charles Wiseman looks at steady trends in the current U.S. Navy budget.

50 HIGH TENSILE WIRE FOR UNDERSEA FIBER OPTIC CABLES
Len Onderdonk (The Rochester Corp.) describes the company's new in-line wire drawing machine, capa-
ble of handling wire sizes to 0.065 inch as fast as 5,000 feet/minute.

52 BUOY-BASED DIGITAL LINK FOR UNDERSEA SENSORS
Susan G. Briest, Alan D. Fronk, and Dr. J. Mark Stevenson (Space & Naval Warfare Systems Center,
San Diego) discuss a spread-spectrum RF datalink that saves money and improves communication.

57 U.S. NAVY'S AUTEC RANGES
J. Tod Michaelis (Atlantic Undersea Test & Evaluation Center Detachment) reveals updates in current
ranges and installation of a new shallow-water range.

60 MOTN TRADE MISSION TO CHINA
Maggie Linskey Merrill (Marine Marketing Services) takes us with five New England Firms seeking part-
nerships in coastal development, ocean monitoring, and offshore resources projects.

94 THE WAY AHEAD FOR A U.S. OCEAN OBSERVATION PLAN—Soapbox


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SEA TECHNOLOGY
Volume 40, No. 8, August 1999


10 CORAL REEFS: A DIMINISHING RESOURCE
Associate Editor Alan D. WHson dug into claims of coral reef deterioration and found out how
valuable these unique ecosystems are and what's being done to save them.


17 THE ULTIMATE OCEAN RANCH
Dr Fujio Matsuda (PICHTR), Dr James Szyper, Dr Patrick Takahashi (University of Hawaii), and
Joseph R. Vadus (Global Ocean Inc.) describe how nutrient-rich deep ocean water can—through
artificial upwelling—enhance biological food productivity in the open ocean,


29 THE LEGENDARY OCEAN—THE UNEXPLORED FRONTIER
Barbara Moore (NOAA) and Julie Zeidner (environmental journalist) provide a stirring overview of
the world's oceans and their near-boundless—but threatened—resources.


37 OIL AND GAS ACTIVITY IN THE GULF OF MEXICO
J. Michael Melancon (Minerals Management Service) analyzes highs and lows in the last decade
and will forecast oil and gas production projections through 2003.


45 SECOND OCEAN TECHNOLOGY WORKSHOP— MOTN Workshop Preview


49 SURVEYING & MAPPING SYSTEM FOR SURFICIAL MARINE SEDIMENTS
Dr John E. Noakes, Scott E. Noakes, Douglas K, Dvoracek, and Dr Parschall B> Bush (University
of Georgia) describe a new tool for rapid coastal environmental assessments in continental shelf
areas.


55 TIME-FREQUENCY ANALYSIS OF SHALLOW SEISMIC IMAGERY
Mario T. Kalcic, Douglas M. Lambert (Naval Research Laboratory), and Dr.
Andrew B, Martinez (Tulane University) discuss a narrow-beam, short-pulse, wide-bandwidth sys-
tem that yields detailed sub-bottom structures and properties.


61 COASTAL RESTORATION
Tim Osborn, John Foret (NOAA), David Burkholder, and Clay Menard (Louisiana Department of
Natural Resources) describe procedures to create, restore, protect, or enhance productive coastal
wetlands that are also critical fisheries habitats.


67 OCEANS 99 MTS / IEEE—ST Conference Preview


69 METHANE HYDRATE RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
Dr. Michael J, Cruickshank (MMTC Associates) and Dr. Stephen M, Masutani (Hawaii Natural Ener- ^
gy Institute) revisit this potential energy source and the possibility of major environmental ^
effects, which illustrate a need to focus on some unknown characteristics,


Editorial 7

Soundings 9

Capital Report 77

Marine Resources 80

Marine Electronics 82

Offshore Oil & Ocean Engineering 84

Meetings 86

Ocean Mining 101

Research/Survey Vessel Activity 88

Product Development 90

Ocean Business 94

International 96

Ocean Research 98

Environmental Monitoring 100

Contracts 87

Letters to the Editor 102

People 103

ST Looks Back 104

Soapbox 109

Professional Services Directory 105

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