largest capacity fireboat out of a fleet of five LAFD fireboats in the Port of Los Angeles. The LAFD's Warner Lawrence is the most powerful fireboat in the world, according to Nagano. The boat entered service in 2003 at a cost of just over $9 million. The omni-directional vessel employs a pair of Voith Schneider Propellers type 26 GII/165-AE 45. The Warner Lawrence can pump up to 38,000 US gallons per minute (GPM) up to 400 feet with its master stream deck monitors. The Warner Lawrence was the replacement for the 78-year-old Ralph J. Scott. It is currently dry docked adjacent to Fire Station 112 undergoing renovation for display as a Los Angeles Maritime Museum attraction. The oldest of the port's fireboats is the Bethel F. Gifford, which entered service in 1962. It can pump 9000 GPM, and carries 550 gallons of aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) to fight petroleum or chemical fires and can be maneuvered with jetstream nozzles. The port also has three 39-ft. fireboats operated by LAFD, equipped with 2,400 GPM pumps and 1000 GPM fire monitors. These 29-knot multipurpose rapid response vessels can conduct firefighting, rescue, emergency medical service, homeland security patrol patrols and inspection missions. They are all staffed with a mate and two firefighter divers. There are six firefighter/divers on-duty comprising the LAFD's Dive Program. They are trained in search, rescue and recovery, and may be called upon to dive to extinguish wooden wharf fires
using under-wharf firefighting nozzles. These divers also act as rapid intervention divers when the Port Dive Operations Group is activated. The LAFD marine firefighters also conduct the Declaration of Inspection required of petroleum tankers prior to product transfer. The Fire Department is available to conduct those inspections 24/7.
Cleaner, Greener
Port officials claim that Los Angeles Harbor is one of the cleanest in the world. Anti-pollution regulations at the Port of LA are strictly enforced. For example, it is unlawful to discharge oil into the water. But many of the "green" practices also contribute to the bottom line in the long run. Reducing carbon emissions, responsibly handling hazardous materials, or saving energy are all smart investments. "If somebody sees a HazMat violation, they call us," Morales says. Since so many stakeholders are involved in port operations, the Port of LA must take a strong leadership role in implementing these practices. Los Angeles was the first U.S. port to offer shore power so vessels could shut down their power plants to reduce polluting emissions. The China Shipping Terminal (Berth 100) was the location of the pilot project, which is now being replicated at other berths. Alternative Maritime Power (AMP) allows ships to "cold iron," says Nagano. Shore power is provided by the Los Angeles De-
Put a Lid on It
An innovative technology with a unique look shows promise in helping ship owners and operators to reduce their carbon footprint dockside. The Advanced Maritime Emissions Control System (AMECS) was tested at the Port of Long Beach according to Advanced Cleanup Technologies Inc. (ACTI). The system consists of a bonnet placed over the ship's stack at berth to collect emissions from the exhaust gases, and a dock-mounted Emission Treatment System (ETS). According to the manufacturer AMECS is designed to remove 99% of NOx and SOx, and, 95% of PM and VOCs. The Bonnet, which is designed to fit over a wide variety of ship stacks, is first compressed to reduce the wind profile. It is then lifted over and placed on the AMECS installed and processing ship exhaust at the Port of Long Beach exhaust stack of the ship, where it is expanded. Cinching straps secure the bonnet to the stack, and seals prevent the gas from escaping. The exhaust gases from the auxiliary engines and boilers are sucked from the bonnet through ducting into the ETS where the pollutants are removed. ACTI is also developing a direct connect bonnet system which attaches directly to the exhaust pipes in the stack. ACTI will also be building barge based AMECS in which the entire system is placed on a barge which can move from vessel to vessel.
Email: mstewart@actird.com
October 2009
www.marinelink.com
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