Cascade General Business Levels Remain Strong in First Half 1997

The $25 million conversion of the Glomar Explorer was the cornerstone for a strong first - half business performance by Cascade General, Inc. Portland Shipyard.

In first half 1997, business increased 25 percent beyond 1996's already record-breaking levels reported Andrew Rowe, Cascade General Executive Vice President.

Rowe said to maintain Cascade General's positive momentum, they are investing heavily in environmental and safety systems as well as equipment designed to further improve operational efficiencies.

In addition to capital investments, Cascade General continues to emphasize worker training and development. Cascade General's Shipyard University, which opened its doors in July 1996, has now graduated more than 270 participants. Courses at Shipyard University are offered to shipyard employees free of charge.

Ship repair contracts awarded to or completed by Cascade General during the second quarter of 1997 included:

• Glomar Explorer: This 619-foot (189 m) U S Government-owned vessel under long-term charter to Global Marine Drilling Co. of Houston, TX, underwent conversion to a deep-water oil exploration ship. The unique challenge of this project was removal and filling of two 200-ft. x 74-ft. x 9-ft. (61 m x 22 m x 3 m) retractable gates that pull forward and aft on the bottom of the ship's hull. Other work included installation of new interior decking, four 12.5 x 52-ft. (4 x 16 m) diameter vertical thruster tunnels, reactivation of electrical, piping and ventilation systems, blasting and coating, drydocking and complete overhaul of the vessel's diesel engines, electric motors and propulsion system.

• S/S Denali: This 188,000 dwt oil tanker is owned by Keystone Maritime of Philadelphia, PA. The $11 million project included surface preparation and coating of more than 880,000-ft. 2 of ballast tanks, winch modifications and installations, conversion of the CO2 system, stripping pump modification and installation, drydocking, underwater hull repairs and hull surface preparation and coating.

• Viking Serenade: A cruise ship owned by Viking Cruise Lines of Florida, measuring in at 623-ft (190 m) long was drydocked and received a complete machinery survey. In addition, stabilizer modifications were made and the vessel received a "hotel upgrade" which included new carpet, wallpaper and guest amenities.

• Sky Princess: A 789-ft. (240 m) long cruise ship owned by Princess Cruise Lines of Miami, FL, which underwent sternthruster installation, drydocking, re-surfacing and hotel upgrades.

• S/S Independence: Owned by American Hawaiian Cruise Lines, the Independence is the last working steam-powered passenger ship. The 682-foot (208m) vessel received an upgrade which promises a long and elegant service for the grande dame. Thirty additional staterooms were fabricated and installed. The galley was upgraded and the exterior surface prepared and coated.

• S/S Overseas Chicago: This 889-ft. (270 m) long, 90,000 dwt oil tanker is owned by Maritime Overseas Corp., NY. A new vapor recovery system was installed, 4 cargo tanks were blasted and coated and a machinery survey complete. The vessel life was extended by installing 1,218 steel brackets in 12 separate tanks. The vessel was drydocked and received exterior surface preparation and coating.

• S/R North Slope: A 165,000 dwt oil tanker owned by SeaRiver Maritime, Houston, TX, underwent a TransAlaska Pipeline Survey (TAPS), received voyage repairs and standard maintenance.

• GT Chevron Louisiana: Owned by Chevron Shipping, the 651-foot (198 m) vessel was drydocked, painted and received a complete machinery survey.

Cascade General's Voyage and Small Vessel Repair division experienced significant activity during this period. Project highlights included:

• C/S Nexus: A 488-foot (149 m) diesel electric vessel designed to lay wire and fiber optic cable on the ocean floor. The vessel's sea plow was modified and tested ultrasonically. Also, the Nexus' stern cable chute was modified and extended to enable the vessel to take on cable from the stern at a side loading dock. Work also included engine and pipe repair. The vessel's next assignment will be to lay cable in the Philippine Islands.

Several major upgrades and repairs were performed on barges owned and operated by Crowley Maritime, Seattle, WA. Barge 450-11 received steel repairs during an emergency drydocking. Barge 102 was also drydocked for steel and electrical work and deck winch installation. Chevron lube oil barge, the Lubequest, operated by Crowley, underwent modifications which included steel, electrical and piping work. One unique aspect of the job on the Lubequest involved a tandem docking: two vessels (Lubequest and the Port of Astoria's Dredge YM35) were lifted on Cascade General's Dry Dock 3 at the same time. According to Roy McKay, Director of Voyage and Small Vessel Repair, "this saved both Crowley and Port of Astoria time and money by taking full advantage of our yard capabilities."

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Cascade General operates Portland Shipyard, the largest and most complete ship repair and industrial facility on the West Coast of the United States. We provide full-service repairs and conversions for tankers, cruise ships, bulk carriers, container ships, government vessels, tugs, barges and workboats. Cascade General's Portland facility includes a 60-acre (24.2 ha) yard, 550,000 square feet (51,096 square meters) of craft shops, more than 7,600 ft. (2,326 meters) of full-service repair berths, and two floating dry docks.