were recorded. Three connector lengths (6, 12, and 18 inches) were 

 subjected to tensile tests to determine whether the structural design 

 requirements (see Appendix B) were met. 



The strength required to separate the male and female connectors 

 was measured. Failure occurred when the inner (or male) connector pulled 

 out of the outer (or female) connector (see items 5 and 6 in Figures 6 

 and 7). The male connector bore against the outer ends of the female 

 connector, thus springing the female connector open. After the tests, 

 however, only a small permanent expansion was noted in this connector. 



The connector sections were also tested for oil leakage at the 

 area where they were joined (see Figure 12). In these tests for leakage, 

 current speeds of 0.01 knot and 0.25 knot and a wave height of 2.7 feet 

 were produced in the tank. Heavy and light weights of oil were used in 

 the tests: 90-weight gear lube and 10 weight hydraulic oil, respectively. 



Field Tests 



All of the prototype hardware were field-tested to identify any 

 operational faults in their design. 



Harbor Tests. The boom-connector prototype was first tested for 

 the ease with which two 3-foot connector sections, compatible with Type II 

 boom, could be joined. The connector was installed on a 46-inch deep 

 Kepner boom (Figure 13). A total length of 1,000 feet was available: 

 two sections each 200 feet long and two sections each 300 feet long. 

 The time required for two men in a small boat to join two sections of 

 the boom together was measured (Figures 14 and 15) : the connectors were 

 easily joined together in 30 seconds. 



The towing assembly was checked for ease of connection to a boom 

 section. Then straight-line towing stability tests were conducted, using 

 short lengths (200 and 400 feet) of boom (Figure 16) at tow speeds of 

 1, 2, 3, and 4 knots. The nylon towline length was 90 feet. The 400-foot 

 oil-boom skirt tended to weave during the tow but did not turn on its 

 side; however, the 200-foot length did turn on its side during the tests. 



The 10-foot -long bulkhead -attachment assembly was fabricated and 

 positioned on a pier piling in the harbor for the assembly to accommo- 

 date 6-foot tidal changes. During fabrication the assembly warped when 

 the female connector was welded to the aluminum angle. A 200-foot section 

 of Kepner oil boom was attached to the assembly to determine the ease 

 in connecting the two pieces of male and female connectors together 

 (Figure 17). The boom section was left connected to the bulkhead assembly 

 for 6 hours and followed tidal variations with no difficulty. 



Open Sea Tests. The Kepner boom sections were joined together 

 to form a 1,000-foot length which was towed to sea in a straight line 

 (Figures 18 and 19). At sea, a second boat attached a line to the free 



