The Flywheel
Archive issue

NEXT MEETING: January 4, 2013

Every 15 Minutes

Every 15 Minutes, a national program supported by the California Highway Patrol and local community volunteers, dramatizes the potentially dangerous consequences of drinking alcohol and texting while driving. Presented on high school campuses around the country, the program challenges students to think about drinking, texting while driving, personal safety, and the responsibility of making mature decisions when lives are at stake. Jim Etherington, an Every 15 Minutes program volunteer, will tell us about his experiences at Concord High School and how we might get involved in West County.

MEETING OF December 28, 2012

Welcome

President Jim Young was back in full voice. Glad to see his flu has flown.

Visiting Rotarians

John Keeling and Aida Keeling were guests of Alan Baer. Aida is a member of the Rotary Club of Siquijor Island, Philippians.

Rotarians with Guests

Jim Young guests were his wife Linda, their daughter, Zura Johnson and her husband Scott Johnson. Jim’s daughter-in-law, Jessica, and her two little ones were also present.

Sunshine Report

There was no word on John Nicol. Let’s assume that no news is good news. David Keystone had some family woes. We hope all will be better soon.

Announcements

• Pam informed us the bike count had now reached 110. Here’s a short video, posted by the Richmond Police Department on YouTube, that shows the line up of bike after bike after bike at the Toy Drive/Bike Give-away Event (and also shows the prominent display of a Richmond Rotary banner!).

• Richmond tree planting: Saturday, January 19th at the Solano Playlot. We are looking for members who know how to use a shovel. There must be one or two.
• The Grand Opening & Open House for the RotaCare Center at Brighter Beginnings has been delayed. New date Febuary 21st.
• Crab Feed will occur on February 2nd. $40.00 each.

Recognitions

Happy and Sad Dollars

• David Brown had Sad Dollars for 2 policemen killed in the line of duty 20 years ago. Our scribe was not able to record their names for the Flywheel.
• Erle Brown had Sad Dollars for not running the Crab Feed but had Happy Dollars for selling the tickets.

Norm’s Nonsense

A married couple was strolling down a path with their Communist friend, Rudolph, when they noticed a large black cloud looming up in front of them.
The friend said: “It looks like we’re going to get some rain.”
Husband: “You are wrong, it’s going to be snow.”
Friend: “I still say it is definitely rain.”
The Wife got into the argument by saying to her husband:
“You should agree with our friend because Rudolph the Red knows rain, dear.”

PROGRAM

Floating Oil Storage Platforms

Marine and power engineer Scott Johnson reports on FOSPs (Floating Oil Storage Platforms) and other related vast marine structures being built in Singapore for the Indian Ocean oil boom.

Scott is The Senior Surveyor/Auditor at The American Bureau of Shipping responsible for third party ship security and safety of ships being built at in Singapore. The port sits on reclaimed land. In fact Singapore is 25% larger than it was 10 years ago. At this port, the floating platforms are constructed from stripped-down tankers. All the steel plates are replaced (approximately 1800 tons) with steel that can endure 20 years of service. The conversion takes about 18 months.

The tankers have 8 foot bilge keel extentions welded on both sides of the ships 300+ meters length making it more stable for the 100 man crew. There is a Heli-lounge, gym and hospital on board. The new tankers have a complete state-of-the-art technology superstructure. The finish tankers make their own way to the designated site, were the rudder and driveshaft are welded shut. It is anchored in 135 meters of water with several lines from the bow, where the oil is pumped aboard, so the ship can pivot from this point in all weathers without interrupting the flow of oil.

The platform services multiple oil wells at once and replaces the pumped oil with air & water to prevent the submerged well heads from collapsing. They can take on well over a million tons of crude oil. This crude is collected by shuttle tankers who carry the oil to where ever in the world.

Rotating scribe, Alan Blavins.