TANO Corporation of New Orleans has signed a contract for $1,907,538 to provide sophisticated machinery plant automation systems for two petroleum tankers being built at Bath Iron Works in Bath, Maine. The ships are being built for Falcon I Sea Transport Company of Houston, and when complete will be under long-term charter to the Military Sealift Command of the U.S. Navy.
The TANO system will provide extensive monitoring and control of the ships' propulsion, electrical generating machinery, and auxiliary engine room equipment. Bridge propulsion control will also be provided.
The solid-state electronic system will be designed to the latest requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard and the American Bureau of Shipping to allow for operation when the engine room is unattended. Extensive logging of machinery conditions, off-normal alarm conditions, and engine orders will be a part of this integrated automation system.
The ship's propulsion plant will consist of two medium-speed diesel engines coupled through a reduction gear to a single controllable-pitch propeller. Electrical power will be supplied by two diesel generators. Automation is currently being designed and equipment delivery will be in 1982.