Weekly Report

Each week, the RCRV team in Houma assembles an extensive report that provides updates on administrative and technical issues related to the ships’ construction. This report serves as but one of several methods we use to make sure we’re all on the same page in a rapidly changing landscape! We also have regular scheduled teleconferences, video conferences, monthly reports, quarterly and annual reviews, and of course daily comms.

Some people on the team are particularly adept at that last technique.The RCRV project is lucky to have a few of what I affectionately like to call “pollinators.”  These folks are VERY good at making sure everyone knows what’s happening.  Like bees on flowers, they go from person to person and let them know what’s going on. I find communication within the team to be the single most critical component to a successful project, and these pollinators really help with that.

But back to the report. The following bullets are lifted strait out of this week’s submission that I JUST received from the RCRV Shipyard Office.  I found it informative and interesting and thought you might as well.

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Rapp/OHS: OHS Meetings are being held weekly to facilitate progress. This week we met on Thursday with GIS and Triplex. Rapp has not provided a progress update this week. The meeting with Triplex was very informative and productive. We discussed several items in detail:

1. Triplex has started ordering components and parts for control systems for the A-frames and LARS. We discussed chest pack layouts and functions.
2. LARS docking head – Triplex has strongly recommended an alternate design for the docking head which allows the docking “basket” to swing up out of the way during lowering and towing. This eliminates the problem of the wire running on undersized rollers when the wire angle changes. This design is already standard for Triplex newbuilds. Triplex provided information which we are evaluating.
3. LARS Overboarding Sheave– “Snatchable”: Triplex asked if we wanted the overboarding sheave on the LARS to be “snatchable.” They have an existing design which is snatchable, however, this would involve an increase in LARS weight of approximately 500kg. This is under evaluation, but the weight increase is a concern, since the LARS is already heavier than budgeted.
4. Package Movement: We are considering wireless vs. wired control. Triplex has offered to add safety interlocks so that the PMC will not operate if the door is not open. Triplex is now selecting materials and components for the PMC.
5. Main A-frame: The trunnion crossbar will be quite heavy and will have a tendency to rotate on its own in a seaway when not under load. Triplex will be providing a brake to secure the trunnion, and they have offered two options: 1) a “fail safe” brake which is set whenever the HPU is off, and releases when the HPU is turned on; or 2) a “manual” brake, which is set or released by the operator. This would be a function on the chest pack. This is currently under evaluation.
6. Computer Simulator (of deck equipment that will work with a training chest pack):Triplex has been working on the simulator, which will be demonstrated at INMARTECH in October.

Working Deck Scale Model: GIS has issued the PO to the vendor to begin work on the Scale Models. At this point, the anchor model has higher priority.

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Also in this week’s report is photo of a mock up we had constructed of the booths we’ll have on our mess deck.  Getting these built didn’t cost that much and, as it turned out, saved us a lot of money in the future because they’re too small! They seemed big enough in the computer model, but when you really sit down at the table, we found that they just didn’t work.  We’re also going to change how these booths act for storage. The original idea  was to be able to lift the seat cushion up on hinge in order to access the space underneath for storage. It turns out, the cushion hits the table and access is severely limited. So the new idea we’re considering is to have a pull out drawer (pulling from the aisle side so as to have access even when the booth is in use) using a Vidmar-style latching.  I’ve not seen this type of storage on a ship before and think it’s a great idea.

Well, that’s the latest from the shipyard office. You’re as up-to-date as I am 🙂  Thanks again for tuning in.