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The paper aims at analyzing the basic features of inland waterways transport and the current condition of the European inland waterways network for the purpose of determining the potential opportunities for their better integration into the Trans -- European transport network. The comparative advantages of the inland waterways transport in relation to other transport modes appearprimarly in terms of safety and environmental acceptability and that is why the European transport policy gives to the improvement of this way of transport, beside the rail transport, priority within the whole transport system. An adequate development of the inland waterways network in accordance with the development strategy is a necessary precondition set for the improvement of inland navigation in the Republic of Croatia, which, despite its natural potential, is of minor importance in the structure of the realised transport. The implemented SWOT analysis provides a good basis for defining the potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the inland navigation system in the Republic of Croatia so important for setting up intermodal transport chains in Europe. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to indicate the possibilities, advantages and importance of inland waterways transport in order to integrate different transport sectors aiming at achieving the development and sustainability of the European transport system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at analyzing passenger ships in domestic voyages as well as maritime accidents linked to passenger ships plying within the Croatian coastal area. Besides cruise ships, which mainly sail in international sea waters, there is a growing number of passenger ships used in domestic voyages. These are mainly excursion ships intended for one-day tours and smaller size cruise ships. The rising number of passenger ships and their concentration in certain sea areas considerably increases the possibility of accidents at sea. For the purpose of increasing passenger safety and transport service quality, the paper aims at analyzing the national passenger fleet, the types of accidents and the safety of passenger ships in general, thus determining the most frequent causes of these accidents. Based on the data obtained and in order to improve the safety of passenger ships, the most important conclusions reached and recommendations made are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of this paper is to present and analyze the procedure for obtaining the DP certificate and the DP operator training programmes following the model of the Nautical Institute in London and the minimum requirements that a DP centre must meet, in order to get the accreditation to run courses. The paper aims at presenting the possibilities of meeting the prescribed requirements and of including the DP operator training into the Croatian maritime educational institutions. An survey of the worldwide accredited DP centres is given too showing the percentage of governmental and private institutions implementing the DP operator training. This topic has not been presented to the Croatian scientific and maritime profession so far, in proof of is a small number of works published yet. The problems arising within this topic, as well as its legally binding foundation and only few works on the dynamic positioning issued in the Croatian language, are also pointed out in this paper. Following the guidelines of the London Nautical Institute, the training scheme and the basic and advanced course programme are presented. The necessary requirements for DP instructors, who carry out the programmes, are specified, while the minimum technical requirements that appropriate classrooms must fulfill are proposed. The paper also aims at presenting the current possibilities of organizing DP operator trainings and at indicating the activities of the already existing DP centres in Croatia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this paper is to determine the ethylene discharge parameters that have an influence on the discharging process efficiency at the DINA -- Petrokemija terminal in Omišalj. The paper aims at analyzing the efficiency of the ethylene discharge at the DINA - Petrokemija terminal in Omišalj. Three tankers berthed at the Dina -- Petrokemija in Omišalj have been used for the ethylene discharge analysis. Seven discharges per a ship have been analyzed. The quality assessment of every single ethylene discharge has been analyzed correlated with the production process parameters on board a tanker (cargo temperature measured on board a tanker and ashore) and at the terminal (pressure and temperature measured in the tanks ashore). The results obtained have shown that it is possible to make the ethylene discharge more efficient if the ship operator cools down the cargo additionally and if new cargo quantities are at the terminal on schedule. A regular control of the measuring instruments especially of the temperature gauge at the loading point and the position of the temperature gauge in tanks is of utmost importance for an efficient ethylene discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advantages of the transport of goods in containers are best confirmed by the continuous container throughput growth rates. The first part of the paper deals with the history of the container transport and container capacity growth seen from different aspects. The data refer to the container load movement, to the port throughput in the world's ten leading ports, to the global container ship fleet, and to the apportionment of the container ship capacity among the highest ranked ten container operators. The second part of the paper presents different aspects of the crisis the container shipping was affected by at the end of the year 2008. The author points out the historical supply and demand growth rate in the world's container shipping market, the recent effects of the crisis on the number of idle container ships and dissolved liner services. The complexity of the market entirety has been plotted on graphs, including the display of the time charter average historical freight rate for container ships of different sizes. The data stated confirm that the shipping market had already seen similar situations in the past, but on a much smaller scale. The author points out that there is a need to analyse in detail the previous cycles and their effects upon the shipping market in order to prevent more easily possible future crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subject of this scientific work is to analyze the influence of the ship storage occupancy capacity variation on the optimal capacity as well as the considered economic indicators of a feeder ship. The results of the research have provided to a shipping company the possibility to take appropriate business moves in accordance with new or predicted business opportunities on a specific line aiming at improving the sea transport service efficiency. By using a model to determine the optimal capacity of a feeder ship, the paper aims at analyzing the influence of the change in the amount of cargo between the port of Rijeka, as a regional hub port, and the possible peripheral ports of Zadar, Sprit and Ploče on the optimal capacity of a feeder ship operating in the presumed feeder service At the same time, by using ditto model, a specific trend in the movement of economic indicator values (cost-effectiveness and economic justifiability) is determined for the previously defined optimal capacity on the considered route. Moreover, an analysis of the capacity changes due to the reduction in the cargo quantity and ship storage capacity ratio is carried out and presented in this paper by using the same model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intensity, structure and dynamics of cargo flows represent the main indicators for the transport route competitiveness on the transport service market. The Paneuropean corridor VC is a corridor of great importance for the Croatian and European traffic and economic system. Therefore, with the intention of getting concrete conclusions about the actual and potential cargo flows on the corridor VC, relevant indicators of the cargo flows formulation are analysed in this paper. By analysing the relevant macroeconomic indicators, the main Croatian foreign trade partners, the dynamics, value, quantity and direction of cargo flows as well as the foreign trade and overseas exchange direction of the European countries are defined in this paper.. Based on the relevant statistical data, this paper aims at analysing the following: cargo flows according to the intensity (quantity of cargo flows), structure (depending on the type of cargo and cargo flow directions) and dynamics (quantity of cargo flows within a certain period of time). Since the port of Ploče is referred to as a strategic transit point of the corridor VC, a particular attention is given to the analysis of the port traffic. According to the fact that Central Europe is an important gravitational area and a strategic market segment of the corridor, the overseas directions of cargo flows from the Central European transit hinterland are also dealt with in this paper. The results achieved in this research have brought to a satisfactory conclusion about cargo flows, potential traffic demands and traffic market that gravitates to the analysed traffic route. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid changes induced by technological improvements and the intensified use of ports as logistics centers in the whole transport and logistics service chain have initiated an increasing port service competition. The port service quality, together with the costs of, has become the key factor in the functioning of ports and in maintaining their position on the demanding and fluctuating port services market. Researches into the port service quality and aiming at measuring the service quality according to the needs and demands of the port users are very rarely carried out, the evidence of which is based on the existing Croatian and foreign scientific literature. The paper aims at pointing out the importance of determining the port service quality, being a prerequisite for a successful development of the port industry and the transport system as a whole, and to begin with the quality dimension needs to be clearly defined. The complexities of a port, as regards the large number of port users interested in such a port and of the services offered, make the identification of a unique set of dimensions more difficult. Although quality can be analyzed from various aspects, the paper aims at identifying the suggested set of port service quality dimensions according to the needs and demands of the port users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at presenting the self-maintenance concept of the ship's systems. The selfmaintenance systems are fault tolerant systems that, in case of failure detection, will perform the self-maintenance procedure and continue with normal operation. But the term maintenance does not refer here to the repair or manual replacement of the faulty part in the system. Self-maintenance includes getting back the failure detected system into normal function, thus increasing the functional redundancy of a system and, at the same time, reducing the maintenance costs. Two types of selfmaintenance are analyzed in this paper: the controlling and functionally-redundant one. When the controlling type is in question, repairs are undertaken by adjusting different paramenters that have an impact on the ship's operation, while in the functionally- redundant one, the ship's system is returned into normal working condition by restructuring the system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A ship operates under different loading conditions and with widely varying amounts of liquid in tanks. The transverse and longitudinal stability determination and DWT calculation depend on the obtained liquid amounts accuracy which varies due to both the systematic and the accidental errors. Therefore, it is necessary to avoid errors in determining the exact quantity of liquid in tanks. The ballast, fresh water and bilge water quantity in each tank and bilge are usually determined by the water level sounding or by the overflow through the air passage for full tanks. The paper aims at analyzing the influence of liquid reading error on ballast, fresh water and bilge water quantity, as well as its impact on the ship vertical center of gravity (VCG). The optical fiber technology, because of its advantages, has been suggested as a new option for liquid readings in tanks and bilges. The authors have proposed to install liquid level optical sensors into the forward and aft part of each tank. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developments on the global energy generating products market, the market instability and the increasing role of geopolitics in the energy supply are the relevant factors that continuously affect the formation of the energy generating products flows on the market, and, consequently, the formation and features of the flows of energy in the Republic of Croatia. A direct involvement in the transit transport flows of energy generating products includes a strategic advantage that opens great economic opportunities and represents an important precondition for the economic growth and development. Accordingly, the article analyzes the integration of the Republic of Croatia into the world energy generating products trends and the appropriate energy infrastructure -- that is, into the energy traffic network. Considering the strategic importance of oil and gas as energy generating products, the intensity and the specific directions in developing oil and gas flows are especially analyzed, and some significant conclusions about the possibilities and opportunities of the Croatian integration into the world energy flows are presented too. Finally, the paper aims at analyzing the relevant factors and important projects that should contribute to the recognition of the energy generating products flows in the Republic of Croatia, and to thus ensure a high supply of energy within the whole country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The basic principle of the European port policy consists in establishing the balance between different transport modes as the essential element of the sustainable transport development strategy. Besides the emphasized environmental awareness, the reason for modem European trends of diverting cargo flows to inland waterways is that this way of transport is the most economical one. This paper aims at analyzing the effects of the construction of the Danube-Sava multipurpose canal on the development of the Croatian inland waterways, river and sea ports and its significance for the transport integration of the Danube basin and the Adriatic Sea. In order to evaluate the Danube basin -- Adriatic Sea traffic corridor more successfully, the construction of the forthcoming canal should be carried out together with the building design of the new, high efficiency Zagreb -- Rijeka railway line and with the Sava waterway regulation project aiming at reaching the IV class navigability. With these projects, the intermodal transport route between Vukovar and Rijeka, totaling 566.9 kilometers in length, and connecting the Danube basin and the countries bordering on the Mediterranean through the port of Rijeka, would be realized. In order to set up the complete transport integration of the Danube basin and the Adriatic Sea, it is necessary to reconstruct and updatef the railway line Slavonski Šamac -- Ploče, which for the most part passes through the Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Croatian Parliament, at its session held on 3rd October 2003, brought a Decision on the Extension of Jurisdiction of the Republic of Croatia on the Adriatic Sea, and thereby proclaimed the contents of an exclusive economic zone related to sovereign rights of research and exploitation, preservation and management of living natural resources of waters beyond the limits of the territorial sea, as well as jurisdiction regarding the scientific research of the sea and protection and preservation of marine environment, thereby establishing the Protected Ecological - Fishing Zone of the Republic of Croatia. After the promulgation of the Protected Ecological - Fishing Zone, misdemeanours that can be committed in that zone are prescribed by the amendments to the Maritime Code. However, the basic procedural regulations that regulate misdemeanours -- the Misdemeanour Law, specify how the Misdemeanour Law of the Republic of Croatian is applied to anyone who commits a misdemeanour on the Croatian territory, on board a Croatian ship or airplane. A misdemeanour is committed on the territory of the Republic of Croatia when a perpetrator worked on or was obliged to work on the Croatian territory or when a consequence appeared on it. With such a provision, the possibility of sanctions against foreign ships for the misdemeanour in the Protected Ecological - Fishing Zone, which is not a part of the State Territory of the Republic of Croatia, becomes very doubtful. Following the introduction into the current situation, the paper aims at analysing the already existing regulations and at proposing de lege ferenda in order to overcome this serious oversight. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper provides a survey of gear transmissions in marine propulsion system gearboxes which transmit a torque and reduce the rotational speed of the main propelling engine into the rotational speed of the ship's propeller. Gear transmissions in marine propulsion system gearboxes are divided into standard gear transmissions and multiple mesh gear transmissions. Multiple mesh gear transmissions in marine propulsion system gearboxes are divided into ordinary multiple mesh gear transmission, planetary and combined multiple mesh gear transmissions. Due to the merger or division of the mechanical energy in these transmissions, the problem of equal torque (load) distribution onto individual gear couples appears. An equal torque distribution is achieved by a flexible shaft, flexible couplings, hydraulic cylinder etc. All gear transmission models are designed on the basis of the relevant literature in the computer program Autodesk® Inventor® 2010 Professional. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maintaining business continuity and its development and improvement, demands financial resources which a company can obtain from internal or external sources. This paper deals with the analysis conducted to obtain financial resources from external sources for the development and promotion of a business company. The results thus obtained have then been tested onto the company Jadrolinija d.d. The methodology used includes the analysis and the comparison of different external sources of funds, where a particular attention has been paid to the issuing of bonds as an instrument for obtaining financial resources serving the development and promotion of the business company Jadrolinija d.d. The purpose of this scientific work is to make a comparison of the possible forms of external financing of the company Jadrolinija d.d., thus aiming at establishing a methodology that could be used by other companies when making a decision on financing a company from external sources. The results obtained indicate that financial resources obtained through issuing bonds, unlike other financing instruments, provide a higher uplift in the business efficiency and effectiveness boost, but on condition that it is long-term sustainable. The conclusions reached are also endorsed by world experiences which point to the fact that it is necessary to permanently develop strategic plans for a further development founded on a real market basis and on the possibilities of obtaining resources form external sources, but taking into consideration the peculiarities and regularities of a market. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The port service quality research methods from the users' point of view are presented in this paper. The purpose of this research is to select and reduce a large number of the port service quality attributes to a smaller number of attributes, grouped in common factors according to certain criteria. By analyzing the structure of the grouped attributes, the users' expectation of the service quality provided according to their requirements is determined and evaluated. The determination of interdependence among more variables has been carried out by using the multivariate analysis or, specifically, by using the method of the principal component factor analysis. The presented methodology has been applied to the real data obtained from the questionnaire of the sample of students attending the Faculty of Maritime Studies in Rijeka, Croatia. The data collected have been processed by using the SPSS 16.0. statistical package. Based on the factor matrix and after having carried out the Oblimin rotation, it has been determined that five latent groups of attributes grouped in factors have been indicated by the attributes. Five factors singled out considering the associated port service quality attributes have been called: the port functionality factor, the port responsibility factor, the port adaptability factor, the port availability factor and the port information capacity factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By revealing the destiny of brick Romana the author is trying to point out the destinies of similar sailing vessels that navigated the seas in the middle of 19th century. The intention of this paper is also to throw some light on naval history of the town of Rijeka in the same period. To do so the case study method, descriptive, comparative, statistical and methods of analysis and synthesis were used. Special attention was dedicated to the votive painting and newspaper article -- fonts of historical knowledge with all their possibilities and limitations. It was established that newspaper article based on reliable source can contain many different information about things such as route, cargo, cargo management, consular service, causes and details of accident. But, while the newspaper information can considerably differ in quantitative and qualitative way, information from 19th century votive paintings are far more homogenous because of their standardized structure. They, besides accident details (when, where, how), are always the evidence of the ship's origin and appearance, captain, bad weather navigation, language, as well as the votive practice and the appearance of ex voto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at analyzing the structure of the ship's cost at port as one segment of the total voyage cost in order to improve the efficiency of the shipping services. The optimum ship for a shipowner to be used on a particular route is defined as the ship that carries cargo at the lowest total cost per cargo unit. The problem of the optimum ship's capacity, by the nature of things, represents one part of the general problem in defining the optimum ship's characteristics, since the ship owner's costs on the route concerned are an essential part in optimizing the ship's optimum capacity. The main goal of this research is to contribute to defining the cost incurred during the ship's stay in a port from the shipowner's point of view as he is the one who, as a general rule, makes these costs seem as different port charges and costs. The synthesis of the mentioned costs at port is represented graphically as the daily cost at port per unit of the ship's capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optical fiber technology, because of its advantages in the data transmission and its simple installation as compared to the traditional information transmission technologies of the past two decades, has completely prevailed in the telecommunications and computer networks. In addition to their use in the communications system, optical fibers have been applied as sensors in measuring different nonelectrical and electrical values. In both the cases, their very small dimensions, easy installation, insensitivity to external electromagnetic influences, enormous data transmission capacity and high reliability, justify the installation of the optical communications networks and sensors in the very demanding ship environment. This paper aims at describing several applications of the optical communications networks in the ship propulsion and control system as well as different options for the installation and use of optical sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A high-quality management is essential for a successful business of the traffic system. Therefore, the factors affecting on business performance need to be researched, as well as business efficacy indicators and the ways for their improvement need to be explored. In order to manage the traffic system successfully, the setting up of the appropriate model/models representing a simplified real traffic system is required. The aim of this paper is to research into possible problems and difficulties that occur when modelling the traffic system and to find solutions or options for their avoidance. For a better and easier interpretation of the research work done, the example of the port system is selected for illustration. The listed research results can be very easily identified and applied in modelling other traffic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The more and more rigorous regulations on the environmental protection, as well as the need for a much better fuel exploitation, have raised greater demands on the designer. The development of numerical methods and, at the same time, a computing power growth, makes the checking of new ideas possible, even in the early stage of the engine development. The paper aims at presenting a survey of all the possibilities offered by the AVL-BOOST software produced by the firm AVL from Graz: A graphical interface, that enables the user with only a basic knowledge of a simulation technology to master the computer programme in a very short time, has been described too. A one-cylinder engine model has been presented and its operation simulated. The results thus obtained have been analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the intention to make a geo-traffic analysis of the situation and to forecast the global container traffic flows, the paper aims at analysing the rapid development of the container traffic and its respectable participation in the maritime and total world trade. The regional position of the world container traffic is analysed in particular, indicating the most important container traffic regions and the world container traffic flows. Analysing the container traffic intensity and the dynamics in the world container ports, as referent nodes of the container traffic flows, the main world, Asiatic, American and European container ports are defined. Based on the current data and relevant forecasts of the container traffic flow dynamics and development, some predictions of the container trade development as well as the distribution of the container traffic volume towards the leading market regions are analysed too. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ship's maintenance is considered as one of the factors that have a vital influence on the competitiveness of shipowners on the shipping market. Therefore, every shipping company aims at reducing maintenance costs to the lowest acceptable level, which, in this sense, represents the lowest total amount of the maintenance costs, comprising the maintenance service costs and the stoppage costs that guarantee the restoring and keeping up of the prescribed technical safety regulations as well as those related to the safety of navigation. In addition, the paper aims at analyzing the influence of two very important factors - the type of activities (operation area) and the ship's age, since they determine, in large part, the adequacy of a particular type of maintenance required.. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at analyzing the selection and optimization of a marine propeller and at presenting the computer-based programme for defining the geometric and hydrodynamic characteristics of a marine propeller. A marine propeller must be efficient, should not cause unintended vibrations and noise, and the erosive damage due to cavitation on wings should not be tolerated as well. The main task of a designer is to keep the balance between these requirements. The initial approach to the marine propeller design is usually based on the results obtained from the B-screw series free run tests. This includes the changes in a number of design parameters such as the number of wings, the propeller pitch ratio, the wing area and the section types. The marine propeller that meets the characteristics of the particular screw series can be easily designed in order to meet the demanding design standards. Based on the well known B-screw series polynomials, a computer-based programme „BroVi" has been created. This programme can be successfully used for the marine propeller optimization and in determining the working point (revolution number, propeller thrust, propeller torque, propulsive power). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at analysing the needs for large capital investments in starting a liner container service. One of the possible way for the shipowner to reduce the costs of a container liner service, and in doing so to meet the requirements of a shipper by offering a high quality service and reasonable freight rates, is to join alliances of any type. The integrational development of alliancesis is analyzed through the geographical sphere, scope of alliance means, types of alliances and possible duration. Different types of joint agreements are elaborated in detail, and the synergetic effects realized through alliances are described too. The current world largest global alliances among shipowners are shown in tables as well as the slot cost calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The specific qualities of the transport market, reflected on the competitive relations of transport subjects and transport routes, imply seriousness in creating a complete service offered on a transport route. The transport service has to satisfy the increasing demands of the users, by being attractive, speedy, safe and offering a high-quality service. In that sense, the main goal of this research is to contribute to defining the transport-logistics services on the transport route as a complex phenomenon influenced by many circumstances and particularities of the transport market. In view of the determined goal, this paper aims at defining the theoretical guidelines on the quality of transport and of transport-logistics services, as well as the standardized basis for the definition, insurance and management of the transport service quality. A special analysis is carried out of the criteria and specific qualities of the transport market and of the demands of the transport service users, since the definition of the basic prerequisite conditions and goals for effecting an increasing quality and competitive level of the transport route services are directly conditioned by these criteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue referring to the centralization or decentralization of the county port authorities is an open question since the enactment of the Maritime Domain and Seaports Act, where the structure of the county port authorities is neither explicitly defined nor is the number of the established port authorities within a particular county determined. Therefore, the paper aims at determining the facts that are of utmost importance for the implementation of various organizational structures in the managing of those ports. A special analysis is made of the legal, economic and theoretical factors that have an indirect impact on the port authorities work effectiveness and efficiency, and, in the same way, on the choice of the relevant model of managing county port authorities or ports open to the county important public traffic. Pursuant to the stated problem and reserach area, a working hypothesis has been offered: to determine the tendencies for changing and introducing new models of managing county port authorities by using scientifically based conceptions of the organization in general, in particular of the relevant legislative regulations. The results obtained have shown that in making a decision on the establishment of one or more port authorities for the managing of ports open to the county important public traffic it is necessary to take into consideration all relevant factors that have an influence on the county port authorities develpoment, management and business operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with the legal problems concerning the seafarers' working, living and social conditions and the activities of the International Labour Organization, analysing the attainments of the Maritime Labour Convention ILO 186. The particular consideration is given to the issuing procedure for the Maritime Labour Certificate and the Declaration of Maritime Labour Compliance as well as to the system inspecting the permanent compliance with the standards prescribed by the Maritime Labour Convention. The position of Croatia in the process of adapting international commitments and bringing them into conformity with national legal conditions is also analysed, together with its role as an active partner in solving the seafarers' working and social rights issues. It is important to say that the Republic of Croatia needs to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention ILO 186 as well as to bring into conformity the national regulations with the international sources according to the requirements of the maritime industry and the increased demand to provide decent working and living conditions for seafarers on board a ship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality control process is a very complex system whose rules, customs and standards should be followed in order to obtain correct and precise results concerning the sample of goods examined. Relevant information about the quality of cargo bears great significance in commercial contracts in the present-day ecomomy. Therefore, great responsibility lies with the commodity inspection and quality control services not only in terms of protecting their clients, but also in taking active part in ensuring a safe transport of all types of cargo and in protecting the environment. The ISO and ASTM standards contribute significantly to the quality control system development, thus enabling global communications concerning the quality control and commodity inspection procedure itself. Modern sophisticated laboratories enable rapid and precise evaluation of objective type parameters, provided that the standard sample is obtained according to referential procedures and standards. This paper aims at elaborating on the process of sample acquisition according to the recently upgraded statistical patterns. It also recommends that these patterns should be used as frequently as possible by authorized commodity inspection and quality control services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The yacht building trends are focused towards the selection of larger dimensions, adopting advanced yacht building technologies and equipping innovative systems like canting keels. These yachts belong to a category known as high-performance maxi yachts and as their dimensions normally exceed 24 meters and come up to 45 meters, such yachts require a professional crew i.e. trained seamen. The scope of this research, as a part of the author's entire maxi yacht design, is to define the consequences due to the crew interaction with the canting keel system managing operations which can significantly impact on the hydrostatic characteristics of a sailing yacht in a positive and negative sense, and imperil the safety of the crew. In this paper the influence of a maxi yacht canting keel system on her hydrostatic characteristics is analyzed. Further more the authors have defined the critical angle of the heel as related to the safety of the crew and have defined such areas on the righting arm surface. The analysis has been carried out on the author's 30 meters length overall high performance maxi yacht design with a ±40° canting keel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A good knowledge of the major elements of a contract is a precondition for a successful improvement of legal relations between the sender and the multimodal transport operator and other active participants in the multimodal transport operations. The authors of this paper aim at elaborating, systematically and concisely, the fundamental characteristics of the multimodal transport contract: the concept, essential and unessential elements, legal form of the contract, contracting procedure as well as the modifications, amendments and breach of the multimodal transport contract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims at analyzing the influence of diagnostics and redundancy on the improvement of reliability and safety of the control equipment of the ship electrical engines. Safety, reliability and availability of the system are important requirements when designing the control equipment. If diagnostics and redundancy are not built in the system, any engine failure may lead to a gradual decrease of the system safety. The conception of self diagnostics and diagnostics, possibilities of its application on different system structures, as well as its influence on the reliability and safety of the control system, and consequently on the overall ship's electric power plant reliability and safety are analyzed. The analysis is carried out from two aspects: first, we have used the combined modelling techniques to estimate the improvement of reliability and safety when redundancy is included in the system; and, secondly, we have used the Markov's model to research into the safety aspect of two architectures for the design of a redundant diagnostic system. The procedure enables the evaluation of potential solutions by means of which the ship's electric power plant can operate with more suitable fault tolerance. The influence of the quality of diagnostics on these solutions has been also analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]