Metro Machine Corporation

Marinex International, Inc.

Joseph Cuneo

Robert D Goldbach

Richard A Goldbach

Edmund G Tornay

Frank E McConnell

Charles A Garland

Each longitudinally successive module of a longitudinally midbody for a tanker (which is preferably a double-walled tanker), is provided with a longitudinal vertical double-walled bulkhead extending between the top and bottom walls of the module. This longitudinal bulkhead may be provided on the longitudinal centerline of a tanker midbody constructed in accordance with the teachings of Cuneo et al., Ser. No. 07/532,329 and/or Goldbach et al. Ser. No. 07/678,802. Reinforcing structure for the longitudinal bulkhead is enclosed between the transversally opposite walls thereof. Within the longitudinal bulkhead, compartments may be provided for carrying fuel oil and/or cargo tanker slops and/or water ballast. The transversally opposite walls are fabricated of steel plates welded at adjacent edges. Inner plates transversally interconnect the walls at the joints between wall plates. The wall plates may be curved, which is preferred, or flat.

Double-hulled vessel construction having vertical double-walled

The parallel midbody for the hull of a tanker is fabricated of modules, each made of double-walled longitudinal subassemblies welded to one another and to a bulkhead. The subassemblies are made of outer cylindrically curved plates welded edge to edge, and inner cylindrically curved plates welded edge to edge. Longitudinal rib plates are extended between and are welded into joints between curved plates in the inner and outer hulls. The curved plates are convex towards the exterior of the vessel. At respective transitions between the bottom and sides, the inner and outer hulls have bilge radii which approximate in size the radii of curvature of others of the plates including ones both adjacent to and remote from the bottom-to-side transitions. A fixture for facilitating welding of the T-joints of the subassemblies is provided. The subassemblies and modules are fabricated in an up-ended orientation. Each successively completed module is tilted-over and joined to the growing midbody with the aid of a variable buoyancy barge and a caisson pontoon.

Vessel hull and construction method

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Hastings on the Hudson, NY, United States of America

Joseph Cuneo