5 . The PAU should be rigidly fixed to the pier and/or pilings to 

 ensure that it does not topple over into the water during use. 



5. A flat, nonskid walking surface should be provided around the PAU 

 for operator safety. 



7 . The PAU should be located on the pier or the pilings in such a way 

 as to ensure that the chute clears all protrusions on the pier's edge. 



8. The four- tire assembly of the PAU should be replaced by a single, 

 riibber coated cylinder to minimize entrapment of the tow line, boom 

 tension line, or small boom protrusions between the tires. 



9. The selection of a pier should be such as to minimize abrasion of 

 the boom when it is dragged on the pier during deployment and retrieval. 

 The location of the PAU on the pier should be such that it permits a 

 UTB to pull the entire length of boom over and in line with the PAU. 



10. If possible, the entire PAU assembly should be placed on a stable 

 turntable so that it could rotate freely and always face the direction 

 of the boom during deployment and retrieval, thereby minimizing the 

 necessity of maneuvers by the UTB to keep the boom in line with the PAU. 



Evaluation of the Utility Boat 



Description and Modifications 



The 20-ft UTBs used in the test program were purchased from 

 Lanness K. McKee s Co., Inc., P. O. Box 207, Fairmont, North Carolina 

 28340. The purchase description prepared by NAVFAC for their procurement 

 of UTBs is presented in Appendix B. CEL used the same purchase description 

 with the following exceptions : 



a. In lieu of the Mercury engine, CEL provided an 85 hp Johnson 

 outboard engine with a 14-inch diameter, 15-inch pitch propeller. 



b. CEL did not procure the trailer. 



c. CEL did not procure the U.S. Coast Guard approved 

 safety equipment. 



d. The floor of the interior was not equipped with a nonskid 

 surface . 



To ensure that there was sufficient fuel onboard for testing over a 

 4-hour period, three 5-gal dual fuel tanks were secured in each UTB. 

 Accessories purchased with the UTB were : 



