NEWSLETTER - August 1999 - Issue No. 12

Hydro-Fire Boom Training in Sweden
When the Swedish Rescue Services bought two Hydro-Fire boom systems, each containing 153 meters (500 ft.) of fire boom, it was essential that a training program be part of the purchase. Donnie Wilson and Al Allen traveled to Vanersborg, Sweden to train members of the Swedish Rescue Services in the deployment and handling of Hydro-Fire boom.

Two full days were spent in the classroom and a full day was spent on the water. A boom reel containing (500ft). of Hydro-Fire boom was positioned on the stern of the Swedish Coast Guard's 27 meter (90ft) response vessel. The boom was deployed from the stern of the response vessel with a rigid-hull inflatable boat. Two, 250hp jet-drive boats, 8.53m (28 ft.) in length were used to pull the boom in its U configuration and a water pump used to cool the fire boom was placed on each vessel.

The entire exercise went smoothly. The towing vessels completed an inversion maneuver (reversed their direction under tow by turning out and assuming an opposite 180% course, reversing the U configuration) and fire fighting foam was sprayed into a shoreline configuration to demonstrate the ability of the boom to contain foam for putting out fires in the protective mode. It was shown that one pump is adequate to quickly wet the boom over its entire length proving the redundancy of the pumping system.

All agree that training after the sale is an essential element of fire boom purchase and Elastec/American Marine is represented by the leading experts and trainers in the field.

MediBurn Redesigned
MediBurn has a new look. Elastec fabricating specialists Jim Reyling and Frank Musgrave worked diligently to redesign MediBurn and everyone at Elastec/American Marine is very happy with the results. Customer response has been very favorable as well and there has been a great deal of interest in the product. The unit performs exactly to design parameters and is portable and easy to use.

Elastec Delivered Overnight
When Sales Manager, Don Harris got an emergency call from an Iowa response company he reacted immediately. In a short time a TDS 118 hydraulic skimmer system was ready for the road. On equally short notice, Bill Harmon, Elastec/American Marine stock holder and board member made himself available to deliver the system overnight. Bright and early the next morning workers were picking up spilled diesel and Elastec/American Marine had another satisfied customer.

Much of the credit for the capability of rapid delivery goes to Bill Brown, Elastec Production Foreman, and his crew. The shop is extremely well organized and smooth running. Technicians Bill Holloman and Bob Bush took the emergency call in stride and were able to make a unit available with little upset to normal proceedings.

Elastec/AMI Y2K Compliant
Elastec/American Marine is fully compliant with requirements for a smooth transition into the next millennium. Equipment has been upgraded and technical issues resolved so that there will be no significant problems at the end of the year.

Carnival Cruise Line Buys Flexiboom
Fourteen cruiseliners are using Elastec/American Marine's flexibooms. These unique containment booms isolate an area between the vessel and the seawall during fuel transfer. Fitted with full length battens for flexibility, a pair of flexibooms seal an area of potential spill. Carnival Cruise line purchased 56 of the flexibooms which they distributed from their Miami office.

A Mile of Swamp Boom to Kenya
A mile of Elastec/American Marine's swamp boom is being used in an ambitious environmental project on Lake Victoria. Floating water hyacinth has created impenetrable islands up to a mile wide. Besides creating general navigational problems, the wind blown islands can strand in front of fishing villages making it impossible to launch their boats and make their living. Biologists are using the Swamp Boom in some way to control the movements of the hyacinth during dredging operations which limit the spread of the plant pest.

Because of the environmental considerations, herbicides are forbidden, so all control is done physically. It is reported that there may be interest in permafence for maintaining channels through the dense hyacinth foliage. The project is expected to last at least ten years.

Tell Us More
Tell us how Elastec/American Marine equipment has been successful for you and we will send you a clock radio or other gift. Just write the success story on your company's letterhead and send it in to us with your choice of gift noted on the success story literature. Stories may be used in the company newsletter or for general promotion.

Elastec/American Marine: 1309 West Main, Carmi, IL 62821 USA
Call us at (618) 382-2525 Fax (618) 382-3610 E-mail elastec@elastec.com
Updated July 2002. © Elastec/American Marine. All rights reserved.