Optical alignment fixture for a marine gear output flange
The picture shows an alignment fixture fitted to the output flange of a marine gear. The fixture holds an optically precise mirror and the white reference marks allow me to compare the position of the vertical/horizontal center of the output flange to the shaft line I have established, generally by the bearing targets...
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USCG Kiska at Pacific Shipyards International drydock, Honolulu
It's been a busy 2015, including a trip to Hawaii to perform an optical alignment check on the USCG cutter Kiska, in Pacific Shipyard International's drydock in Honolulu. I have been in shipyards all over the world, and they all are pretty much the same- except sometimes you get a spectacular background like this. Kiska is a...
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USCG Confidence in drydock at Hendry Shipyards, Tampa, Florida
The Confidence is 210', and here it is at sunrise with one of Tampa's cruise ships in the background. Coast Guard requirements include doing alignment checks before sunrise, to eliminate any effects of sunlight and heat and creating the most stable and repeatable environment. Completely understandable in Tampa in the warmer months...
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Hatteras motor yacht, struts
October, looking forward to the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show, and working on a Hatteras motor yacht after a grounding. The picture is the forward strut, sometimes referred to as a "butterfly" strut, set in place using optical alignment technology- a target is visible in the strut. For a little more information visit the November news page for a more detailed explanation including an embedded YouTube video.
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2014 Summer
Hendry Corporation, USCG Cushing; stern tube in Dania
USCG Cushing, Tampa
Hendry's drydock is a veteran- a World War II Liberty ship still serving the men and women of the United States Coast Guard and the men and women at Hendry Corporation. And, congratulations to them for the recent completion of their new drydock with the expanded capability that brings to this fine shipyard. Cushing just required an alignment check so it was a quick trip. The stern tube replaecment in Dania is a little more involved- visit the July news page for a more detailed explanation including an embedded YouTube video showing the setup and the positioning jig.
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2014 April
Savannah Marine Repair, Derecktor, MarineMax, Barry Brown Marine
USCG Hammer, Savannah
A trip to Savannah to shoot the buoy tender "Hammer", sister ship to the "Vise" previously set up at Hendry Shipyard in Tampa, brought me back to Savannah Marine Repair and Steve Drago. The spring of 2014 has been especially busy, both in yacht and commercial work. It seems people are both using their boats and getting the work done...Fort Lauderdale yards are busy.
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Northern Lights-Westport-Derecktor-
Derecktor of Florida replaced two main engines in this Westport yacht, and Marine Alignment worked with Derecktor staff to finalize the engine alignments to help complete the job. Derecktor's new lift and outstanding record of successful refit projects in 2013 were the focus of an industry breakfast before the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. Derecktor of Florida website: click here. more
MarineMax-Here's a strut that's way out- The optical alignment telescope shows the correct shaft line, and the strut barrel should be centered on the scope. This is a preliminary shoot, and on this vessel both the port and starboard struts were dropped and then reset to the optically established shaft lines. Click for more pictures of this and other Marine Alignment strut and engine alignment projects in September. more
Savannah Marine Repair-shaft and marine gear alignment, tugboat "Georgia"
Steve Drago at Savannah Marine Repair and Terry Thompson of Crescent Towing formed the project management team for Georgia's refit. Optical work including setting the port and starboard marine gears and shaft seal housings. Classic lines and raw power make this hard-working tug stand out in the Savannah River and offshore. Great to be back in the Low Country and honored to be working on this large project. more
Hendry Corporation-USCG Knight Island-setting strut and bearings
Remedial work included setting one strut to the optically established shaft line. These are great ships, and I can't say enough about the professionalism of the men and women who make up the Knight Island crew. It's a pleasure. The Hendry team of experienced and dedicated professionals makes these jobs run on time, on budget, and to specification. more
Derecktor of Florida- Dania Beach, Florida
Derecktor's new Cimolai lift, the largest mobile boat lift in Florida and tallest in the world, operates in Derecktor's busy South Florida facility. This classic Lyman Morse cruises at 26 knots and after thousands of hours required engine mount replacement. As the engines had to be moved significantly to replace the mounts precise alignment of the engines to the shaft lines was accomplished using optical alignment equipment.
Check out the new Cimolai lift at Derecktor here.
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Hendry Corporation-USCG Amberjack in drydock-engine replacement.
Optical shaft and engine alignment forms a critical part of the engine renewal project on the USCG Amberjack, hauled at Hendry Corporation in Tampa in January of 2013. more
Northern Lights-Westport-Derecktor-
MarineMax-Here's a strut that's way out-
Savannah Marine Repair-shaft and marine gear alignment, tugboat "Georgia"
Hendry Corporation-USCG Knight Island-setting strut and bearings
Derecktor of Florida- Dania Beach, Florida
Hendry Corporation-USCG Amberjack in drydock-engine replacement.
