RECOMVIENDATIONS 

 Power Assistance Unit 



1. The PAU should be used during all boom deployments and 

 retrievals . 



2. The foot tire control mechanism should be rewired to require 

 an operator to keep it pressed for tire rotation. 



3. The PAU drive mechanism should be modified to allow free 

 tire rotation during boom deployment without. the necessity of 

 removing the drive chain. 



4. PAUs should be modified to ensure that the boom remains 



on the tires during deployment and retrieval. The modifications 

 shown in Figures 1-5 were found to be adequate. 



5. A chute should be used on all PAUs to protect the boom 



from damage from pilings and protrusions on the pier. The location 

 of the PAU on the pier or the pilings should ensure that the 

 chute clears all protrusions on the pier's edge. 



6. 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. 



7. A flat, nonskid walking surface should be provided aro\and 

 the PAU for operator safety. 



8. To minimize the risk of entrapment of the tow line, boom 

 tension line, or other small boom protrusions between the tires, 

 the four-tire assembly should be replaced by a single rubber 

 coated cylinder. 



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

 abrasion of the boom when it is dragged on the pier during deployment 

 and retrieval, and to permit a UTB to pull the entire length 



of boom over and in line with the PAU. If the pier is particularly 

 rough, covering the area with a strong plastic sheet would reduce 

 abrasion. 



10. If possible, the 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. 



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