Douglas Gould
Surveyor Associate, SAMS®
Standards Accredited, ABYC
USCG 100T License
843-655-3653
Twin Screw or Single?
© 2007 (Originally published in MTOA News, spring 2007)

In this article, I want to address a topic that many trawler owners
are quite passionate about: twin screw verses single screw. I know
that this subject has been hashed over many times in the past, but
the question of ‘how many engines’ is one that is asked, and
perhaps even agonized over by many owners and those
contemplating the purchase of their first powerboat, or perhaps  
moving on to their next trawler...[read the entire article]
Radio Checks? Stop the madness!
©2006 (Originally published in Safe/Sea's Helpline newsletter)

If you spend any time listening to your VHF radio, you will hear calls for
"radio check". Indeed, on a Sunday afternoon, the repeated requests
for radio checks on channel 16 outnumber any other phrase you will
hear. And every one of those requests is in violation of the FCC rules
that govern the use of VHF marine band radios... It is also a violation
to put out a call to “any vessel”. [read the entire article]
Red Right Returning my Towboat industry blog
Dripless Shaft Seals
©2007 (Originally published in PassageMaker Magazine, April 2007)

Over the past four or five years, I have responded to a surprising
number of assistance calls from sinking boats where the subsequent
cause of the flooding is determined to be the failure of a dripless shaft
seal (DSS). The use of these devices has become widespread in the
past decade, and unlike traditional stuffing boxes, when a DSS fails,
the resultant flooding is at least alarming and sometimes catastrophic.
[ to read the entire article, you will have to buy the May/June 2007
issue of PassageMaker Magazine ]
©2007 (Originally published in C-PORT newsletter, Spring 2007)

Faced with a breakdown at sea, the mariner’s subconscious has a
secret wish: click the mic button three times, recite “there’s no place
like home…” The mariner is frustrated, confused, and doesn't see the
need for all the questions, he just wants service, and the sooner the
better. A towboat operator is faced with some challenges every time he
answers a call for assistance.... [read the entire article]
Are you ready to Abandon Ship?
© 2007
As the first light of dawn breaks through the cabin windows, you sip at
your second cup of fresh coffee, and your hand instinctively searches
for the warm spot on the steering wheel. The familiar rumble from the
engine room relaxes you, and you settle in for another morning of
travel down the Chesapeake Bay. With no conflicting traffic in sight, you
set the autopilot and take a moment to make some entries in the log.
Suddenly, a bump, then a Bang, then a CRASH, and all hell breaks
loose. [ read the entire article ]
Product Review: SOSpenders self inflating PFD
©2005 (Originally published in Safe/Sea's Helpline newsletter)

Last summer, I began to wonder what it would be like to be wearing the
SOSpenders when they actually inflated. To satisfy my own curiosity, and as a
service to our Safe/Sea membership, I offered myself as a floating guinea pig and
actually jumped in the water last month, wearing my SOSpenders. Here is what I
learned...[go to safesea.com and read the entire article]
Calculating Submerged Weight
© 2008 (Originally published in C-PORT newsletter, spring 2008)

This is a rather technical article that I wrote specifically for the marine salvage
and assistance industry. The article discusses Archimedes' Principal and how
it can be useful to marine salvage. If that kind of stuff interests you, read on...

[ read the entire article ]
Dealing With a Dismasting
© 2008 Douglas Gould (Originally published in C-PORT newsletter, summer 2008)

Dismasted sailboats pose some particular risks and challenges for assistance operators.  
Even in calm weather, a dismasted sailboat is at significant risk as long as the rigging and
spars remain connected to the vessel. The spars of most modern boats are made of
strong aluminum extrusions, and booms or mast sections become underwater battering
rams that can poke a pretty big hole in a boat. Meanwhile, a confusion of sheets, halyards,
shrouds and torn sails create a real menace to anyone trying to walk around and work on
deck.  [ read the entire article ]
Articles