EDITOR'S NOTE
On the Cover
M
y dad was a tool and die maker for General Motors for more than three decades, and is an incredibly skilled woodworker with a passion to this day to build, or devise an "engineered solution" for just about anything. Growing up, I possessed a disinterest in his livelihood and hobby, a decision that haunts me to this day when I have to shell out my hard-earned money to get things fixed. Though the physical capability skipped a generation, I have a profound interest in the manufacturing process, particularly as it applies to the marine industry. I have traveled nearly everywhere that there is ship, rig and boat building -- from large, modern facilities to small, muddy patches on water's edge -- and it never ceases to amaze at how the process, prep and procedure can differ radically, yet quality can usually result with the requisite knowledge, experience and tools. This month we are pleased to present an inside look at an exciting new megayacht and patrol boat manufacturing operation in New Orleans. Boldmar -- which occupies the facility formerly used to build the giant external fuel tanks for NASA's space shuttle program, the Michoud Assembly Facility -- is a marine construction facility that not only seeks to incorporate the latest tools, technologies and methods, but in cooperation with Louisiana Economic Development it seeks to attract and retain much of Louisiana's invaluable shipbuilding knowledge base -- its workers, still scattered about the region and the country after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. Matt Gresham, starting on page 24, puts forth the details on the new facility, profiling the players and machines that are being deployed to keep Louisiana's maritime business humming. Earlier this Spring I had the opportunity to explore new welding and cutting tools at ESAB's HQ in Florence, S.C., as the company is promoting the use of its technology in the manufacturing process -- from ships to Chevy's -- in the face of a dearth of skilled workers, or in some cases, any workers. The ESAB message is clear in pointing out that tools -- from the mammoth gantry cutting systems to hand-held welding tools -- are an essential investment to improving quality and efficiency. This article starts on page 32.
MARITIME REPORTER
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ENGINEERING NEWS
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No. 7
Vol. 70
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John J. O'Malley 1905 - 1980 Charles P. O'Malley 1928 - 2000
Maritime Reporter/Engineering News is published monthly by Maritime Activity Reports, Inc. Mailed at Periodicals Postage Rates at Waterbury, CT 06701 and additional mailing offices.
On the Cover: Pictured on this month's cover is Ermis2, a spectacular new 38m yacht capable of 55 knots. See this month's Megayacht section, starting on page 20.
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Table of Contents SNAME 115 Celebration Editor's Note Legal Beat: Buyer's Beware Canada People & Company News Recent Ship Sales New Products Buyer's Directory Classified Ad Index
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P.S. I found the Delta advertisement pictured left in the September 28, 1942 edition of Time magazine, in my search for material on shipbuilding's history for a special publication we are producing for SNAME to celebrate its 115th anniversary. While the tools have surely evolved, it seems as though the marketing message -- improving efficiency and quality in unskilled hands -- is a timeless classic!
Coming in August 2008 ...
Maritime Security
SATCOM & IT Solutions � Coatings & Cor r osion Contr ol � Maritime Tools
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Maritime Reporter & Engineering News