You can go anywhere in Holland, and never be far from a canal. These waterways are as beautiful as they are practical. Holland canals serve a number of very important purposes. They were used to drain the land so homes and farms could be established where once there was water. They provide a means of transport for goods from inland regions to the sea. They are homesteads for thousands who live on houseboats and they act as sewers. They are part of the Dutch landscape and a beautiful example of human ingenuity.

Houseboats are very popular and can be seen on most canals in Amsterdam. Electro Plastics was asked to offer a heating system for one of these houseboats. Drawings and specifications of the houseboat were given to Electro Plastics and, as total heating was requested, a heat loss calculation and layout were made.

Holland has a temperate climate, but winter can be quite cold. The land is surrounded by much water and rainfall averages 3 to 4 inches all year round, bringing in a lot of humidity.

The boat’s hull is made of concrete and the living quarters include wood and glass. The ground floor consists of the entry, a hobby room, a bathroom and a bedroom. On the second floor you have an open stairway to the entry and the living room with an open kitchen. The third floor has a loft used as a computer area open to the second floor and an outside terrace. The total heated floor space is 1,642 square feet.

The structure from the ground floor to the top ceiling is 14.75 feet high and the glass windows total 290 square feet. With so many windows and open spaces, it was important to choose a heating system that could satisfy this particular structural design and humid environment.

The heating system installed is STEP^® Marine, a thin, flexible, low-voltage (24V) Nano Polycarbon element. The heating elements are self-regulating and cannot overheat. As the material gets warmer, less electricity passes through the plastic and so less heat is generated, it is therefore extremely energy efficient and can be used under almost any flooring – even under wood. Also the elements are light weight and can be cut to size on the jobsite, making it easy to install, especially for a retrofit application.

With STEP^® Marine the owners are able to enjoy comfortable, healthy and even warmth in this creative houseboat.

Turquoise was established in 1997 by two leaders of the Turkish boat building industry, Proteksan Yachts Inc. and Turquoise Yacht Construction.

Turquoise Yachts is head quartered in Istanbul, the Gateway to the Eastern Mediterranean and has tow shipyards on the outskirts of the City, one in Pendix and the other in Koceli.

Turquoise NB72 is a 56m luxury yacht, built by Turquoise Yachts to be delivered in 2020. Her top speed is 17.0kn and her power comes from two diesel electric engines.

Currently under construction in Istanbul, Project Lombok  features an aluminium superstructure and an ice classed hull. This makes her suitable for exploring Polar Regions and navigating the Northwest Passage.

The interior décor is being developed by Hoek Naval Architects in collaboration with British design studio Vickers, featuring subtly classic touches and teak detailing throughout. Intimate cosy indoor spaces contrast with the expansive open decks, giving guests a wide range of relaxation options on board. In total, this 56 metre explorer yacht will have an internal volume of 785GT spread across four decks.

To offer comfort and warmth, all bathrooms have STEP Warmfloor heating elements under the tiles.

Turkish yard Turquoise has delivered its largest yacht to date in the form of the 77 meter Go. Go was previously known as Project NB63, was launched in March and completed successful sea trials shortly afterwards.

Sold in January 2017, Go was designed inside and out by British studio H2 Yacht Design with a hull color that pays tribute to the yard’s name. The overall aesthetic has been described by Turquoise as “a modern evolution from the 2012 launch Vicky”.

Accommodation is for up to 18 guests split across nine cabins, while the crew quarters allow for a total staff of up to 20 people. Guests arriving in the main lobby will have the choice of using the elegant superyacht staircase or a full-sized elevator to access the main deck, where there they will find a saloon and a formal dining area.

Key features include a separate owner’s deck with a forward-facing suite and a private spa pool, a five meter swimming pool on the aft deck and a superyacht beach club that measures 162 meters square. A separate garage will allow storage for a ten meter limousine and an eight meter multi-purpose tender.

STEP Warmfloor heating elements were installed under the floors, for a total area of 124m², to keep warm the owners, his and hers bathrooms, lobby, office, decks, salon, pantry and the main floor 7 guest bathrooms, salon, lobby, and bridge deck^..

This exciting revised 47m New Build has been updated with fresh clean sharper lines, the design is both modern and yet graceful and timeless.

New features include a beach club with access onto an extended swim platform, extra large hull windows that give tremendous feeling of light into the owners suite and a revised foredeck arrangement for all the tenders and toys. Care was taken to keep the view clear from the yacht so all fashion plates on both main and upper decks have been removed to provide an open linear appearance. The sun deck also takes on a new arrangement with the addition of a jacuzzi centrally located and plenty of seating and a bar.

The allure of the 47m is that it skillfully offers the owner a flexible and functional layout typically found on a larger yacht. Whilst the main deck boasts an elegant main saloon and dining area, there is also the option to relax and entertain in the full beam upper deck lounge, a generous multi-functional space for all the family.

The full height hull windows in the owner’s cabin and upper deck saloon offer extraordinary vistas, again more typically associated with a larger vessel.

The lower deck has been completely reconsidered providing two spacious VIP’s and two guest cabins.

The master bathroom and the 8 guest rooms have STEP Warmfloor heating elements to maintain the floor tiles warm.

Turquoise Yat Sanayi A.S.

Istanbul, Tturkey

Yigit Karahasanoglu

Tel. +90 216 493 82 48

Luxurious yachts with the ultimate comfort – heated floors.  Benetti installed STEP^® Marine in the bathrooms to take away the chill of cold tiles.

STEP^® Marine can be installed under most floor coverings – including ceramic and porcelain tile, natural stone, hardwood and laminates, resilient and carpet.

STEP^® Marine is a patented, thin and flexible semi-conductive plastic mat which operated on low-voltage. It is self-regulating and cannot overheat. The nature of the Nano Polycarbon material automatically reduces or increases its heat out put to adjust to temperature changes; this means that when the ambient temperature gets warmer, the electrical resistance increases, and the consumption of electricity decreases. The system has low power consumption and is maintenance free.

STEP^® Marine is cut to length on the job site making it ideal for both new construction and retrofit. The system is available – from floor warming to partial or total heating.

The crane barge, Jams M. Keen, was built at Conrad Shipyard in Morgan City, Louisiana. The barge measures 110 feet, 6 inches by 60 feet with a molded depth of 8 feet 6 inches. In addition to barge construction, Conrad will also install two government-supplied cranes – a wicked lifter crane and a telescoping marine crane. The floating crane barge will be used to raise and lower the steel dam wickets and perform maintenance functions at the Olmsted Lock and Dam on the Ohio River.

For personal safety, STEP® Marine heating pads were installed under the whole deck surface to prevent snow and ice built up.

Oscar Dyson was built by VT Halter Marine at Moss Point, Mississippi, and was launched on 17 October 2003. Delivered to NOAA on 1 August 2004, the ship eventually proceeded to Kodiak, Dyson’s home town, where she was commissioned into service as NOAAS Oscar Dyson (R 224) on 28 May 2005

Capable of conducting multidisciplinary oceanographic operations in support of biological, chemical, and physical process studies, Oscar Dyson was commissioned as the first of a class of five of the most advanced fisheries research vessels in the world, with a unique capability to conduct both fishing and oceanographic research. She is a stern trawler with fishing capabilities similar to those of commercial fishing vessels. She is rigged for longlining and trap fishing and can conduct trawling operations to depths of 1,800 meters (5,905 feet). In addition to her crew of 24, she can accommodate up to 15 scientists.

Designed for operations in Alaskan waters, Oscar Dyson has an ice-strengthened welded-steel hull.

As the ship will be navigating in cold waters and to prevent instability that could occur with snow and ice accumulation, VT Halter Marine installed over 4,000 square feet of STEP® Marine heating elements under the ship deck, and in the bulkhead and walls. The system is low-voltage (24V-30V).

The NOAA ship Henry B. Bigelow is the newest vessel assigned to the National Marine Fisheries Service’s Northeast Fisheries Science Center and one of the newest additions to the Fisheries Survey Vessel class research ship built to modernize the NOAA fleet. Launched in 2006, she replaced the Albatross IV in the spring of 2009. The Bigelow is operated by the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.

Henry B. Bigelow supports NOAA’s mission to protect, restore and manage the use of living marine, coastal, and ocean resources through ecosystem-based management. Its primary objective is the study and monitoring of northeast and mid-Atlantic marine fisheries and marine mammals, ranging from Maine to North Carolina. The ship continually reports weather, sea state, and other environmental conditions while at sea. The Henry B. Bigelow contributes data to the Shipboard Automated Meteorological and Oceanographic System (SAMOS) every day the ship is at sea.

STEP® Marine heating systems are installed on the decks, bulkhead and walls for safety of personnel and equipment. The heating elements are lightweight, easy to install and require no maintenance.

Pisces was built by VT Halter Marine at Moss Point, Mississippi, and was launched on 19 December 2007. The ship was commissioned into service as NOAAS Pisces (R 226) on 6 November 2009.

Capable of conducting multidisciplinary oceanographic operations in support of biological, chemical, and physical process studies, Pisces is a stern trawler with fishing capabilities similar to those of commercial fishing vessels.

She is rigged for longlining and trap fishing and can conduct trawling operations to depths of 6,000 feet (1,829 meters).

Her most advanced feature is the incorporation of United States Navy-type acoustic quieting technology to enable NOAA scientists to monitor fish populations without the ship’s noise altering the behavior of the fish, including advanced quieting features incorporated into her machinery, equipment, and propeller.

Operated by NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and with Pascagoula, Mississippi, as her home port, Pisces collects, monitors, and studies data on a wide range of sea life and ocean conditions, primarily in the waters of the United States exclusive economic zone in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and Atlantic Ocean as far north as North Carolina.

In addition to her crew of 21, Pisces can accommodate up to 17 scientists.

NOAA Ship Pisces has STEP^® Marine heating elements installed under the decks, in the bulkhead and the walls.

Bell M. Shimada was laid down by Halter Marine, Inc., at Moss Point, Mississippi, on 15 June 2007 and launched on 26 September 2008. On 21 January 2010, Halter Marine delivered her to NOAA, which commissioned her on 25 August 2010.

The Bell M. Shimada is the fourth ship built in the NOAA Fisheries Survey Vessel (FSV) class of acoustically-quiet stern trawlers that can support ecosystem based surveys. The Bell M. Shimada is the primary research vessel supporting the Center’s Fishery Resource and Management Division’s hake acoustic survey and has been providing support to the Centers Southern Resident killer whale habitat distribution studies each winter. The Bell M. Shimada will also support research related to ocean conditions, salmon, and habitat. In 2012 a joint survey was successfully conducted on Bell M. Shimada for both Pacific Hake (NWFSC) and Sardines (SWFSC) on the same cruise. The two West Coast Centers will be looking at additional opportunities to share time at sea on NOAA ships and chartered vessels.

To be able to navigate in cold and icy conditions, STEP^® Marine heating elements have been installed under the decks, in the bulkhead and the walls of the Bell M. Shimada.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Ship Reuben Lasker was commissioned as the fifth of a class of five of the most technologically advanced fisheries research vessels in the world, with a unique capability to conduct both fishing and oceanographic research.

Dr. Lasker built a renowned research group that focused on the recruitment of young fish to the adult population — a topic with implications for fisheries management throughout the world.

NOAA submitted to Congress its proposed recovery plan to create jobs, strengthen the economy, and restore the environment. The construction of the Fisheries Survey Vessel will support fisheries surveys and related research along the West Coast and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.

Reuben Lasker was laid down at the Marinette Marine Corporation shipyard in Marinette, Wisconsin, on 21 June 2011 and by February 2012 was 60% complete. Four months later, on 16 June 2012,  the ship was christened and Reuben Lasker was side-launched into the Menominee River and delivered to NOAA at Norfolk, Virginia, on 8 November 2013.

After a 20-day, 5,000-nautical mile (9,260-km) voyage from Norfolk via the Panama Canal, Reuben Lasker arrived at San Diego, California, her home port, on 29 March 2014. NOAA officially commissioned her on 2 May 2014 during a ceremony at the Navy Pier in downtown San Diego.

To be able to navigate all over the world, Reuben Lasker has STEP^® Marine heating elements installed under the decks, in the bulkhead and the walls.

For more than 60 years, Gladding-Hearn Shipbuilding, Duclos Corporation, has built exceptional steel and aluminum commercial vessels. Located on the Taunton River in Somerset, Mass., the family-owned and operated shipyard counts more than 417 vessels built as proof of its longevity and vessel reliability.

The Gladding-Hearn brand is synonymous with pilot boats, with more launches operating in the United States than any other shipyard.

The shipyard’s long association with C. Raymond Hunt Associates led to the first deep-V pilot boat hull, which cut commuting times in half and permitted safe boarding at higher speeds. Now the industry standard, Gladding-Hearn’s all-aluminum pilot boats – ranging in length from 40-foot launches to 75-foot station vessels – are characterized by a soft, dry ride, steady tracking, maneuverability, rugged construction, low upkeep and reliability.

This new 75′ aluminum waterjet pilot boat for Valdez, Alaska is based on the proven Texas class boats working in Galveston. Central to the concept is size. At 75 feet, they are big enough to cope with all sea states.

With Alaskan weather entirely different than the Gulf of Mexico, the new boat has multiple heating systems to keep the interior comfortable; the windows defrosted and the decks and handrails ice free.

The heat trace system used is STEP® Marine, because of its low-voltage safety features, ease of installation and no maintenance.

In Valdez, Alaska, where Crowley’s 10,192-h.p. tugboats will be utilized, the average annual snowfalls is 300 inches and in recent years temperatures have gone as low as -40^oF. Even the common winter temperatures, which are more moderate, are accompanied by wind chills and cold spray that freezes on tug decks. Regardless of weather conditions, operations go on year-round, docking and undocking tankers and escorting the huge oil vessels out of the harbor and into Prince William Sound.

Vessel Management Services, Inc., the Crowley Maritime Corporation subsidiary, charged with designing and overseeing construction of the new tugs spent two years in research, ultimately choosing STEP^® Marine, a low-voltage Nano Polycarbon heating system to prevent accumulation of ice and snow. The solution used until now by Crowley for heating decks involved a network of pipes through which the tug’s engine-coolant water is circulated around; however the piping requires continuous maintenance to control cracks and leaks. STEP^® Marine would provide the same safety for personnel and deck equipment while reducing the maintenance costs associated with the previous warm-water solution. The construction was done at Dakota Creek Industries.

Police Department of New York – NYPD 1503 (2017)

The STEP^® Marine deck heating elements are installed on the port deck and the starboard deck.

The requirement of the customer is for the deck to be ice free in winter where the heating elements are located.   It is imperative to obtain enough heat to achieve this and to be able to double the density of STEP^® Marine, 9” wide elements behind the insulation if necessary.

Below are the parameters for the project:

Area of deck to be heated: 184 sq. ft.

Maximum speed of vessel: 37 Knots

Area of operation: New York Harbor

Desired function: De-icing and melting of ice

The supply voltages used are as follows:

AC Supply:        208 VAC

AC Circuit:        24 VAC

or

DC Supply:        28 VDC

STEP^® Marine is a low-voltage de-icing system that can also be powered by a generator and/or solar panels.

Mark Stott. Sales Engineer

Moose Boats, Inc.
Tel: 707-778-9828
Web: www.mooseboats.com

Ice Class St. Lawrence Seaway Tug – Seaway Guardian

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation (SLSDC) reported the arrival of its new tugboat, the Seaway Guardian, in Massena, N.Y.

The vessel has been on a three-week journey through the Gulf of Mexico, around Florida, and up the Atlantic seaboard from Gulf Island Shipyards in Houma, La., where it was constructed. The Seaway Guardian will be the first new American-built tugboat to join SLSDC since Seaway opened 61 years ago.

“The St. Lawrence Seaway is important because it provides access for American raw materials, manufactured goods and agricultural products to be exported all over the world. The Seaway Guardian is the first new American-built, American-crewed tugboat to join the Saint Lawrence Seaway Corporation in 61 years.

Construction of the Seaway Guardian, which is a Robert Allan Ltd TundRA 3600 tug capable of operating in difficult ice conditions, began in 2018. The keel was laid on June 26, 2018 and the vessel launched on September 12, 2019.

The Seaway Guardian’s primary missions will be buoy maintenance and ice management. It will also assist in firefighting and emergency operational response on the St. Lawrence Seaway.

For personnel safety and to be able to navigate in all weather conditions, adequate STEP^® Marine heat tracing systems were added to the decks, the hatch drains, the fire stations and pipes.