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Technology Stocks : Year 2000 (Y2K) Embedded Systems & Infrastructure Problem -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: John Mansfield who wrote (342)	5/1/1998 6:16:00 PM
From: John Mansfield	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 618

[SHIPPING] Wrong link in previous post on y2k in shipping; here'is the whole article: ' Millennium Bug threatens chaos for shipping: International Group [LONDON] The Millennium Bug computer problem threatens to cause chaos for ship lines and seriously disrupt international commerce if it is not dealt with right away, the International Group of Protection & Indemnity Clubs is warning shipowners. Preparing for 2000 is "one deadline which cannot be put back", the International Group said in a letter to its members, which are mutual insurance societies of shipowners. The approaching millennium date could cause computers using two-digit memory fields to change from the number 99 to 00; so they would recognise the year 2000 as occurring before the year 1999. That could affect much equipment on-board ships, including fire alarm and sprinkler systems, engine management and alarm systems, radar and navigation systems, cargo handling and tank control systems, and communications networks. In addition, the whole infrastructure that supports shipping, including port operations, cargo terminal systems and equipment, traffic management systems and coast guard controls, could be affected by year 2000 problems, the group said. While shipowners themselves may have taken necessary measures, they could still be tripped up by the failure of others, such as port operators and important suppliers, to make their own equipment safe. Nonetheless, the group said, members of P&I clubs "are expected to ensure their own compliance". Although the warning does not include specific sanctions against those who fail to take appropriate steps, P&I clubs have previously told their members that coverage may be denied in case of problems caused by a company's failure to prevent year 2000 computer malfunctions. The purpose of the current warning is to make members understand the seriousness of the problem, and that should be an inducement to them to take action, said Martin Rowland, a spokesman for the international group. "It's very difficult to be specific except to say that things won't work unless action is taken, and that this could cause considerable safety problems and be disruptive to commerce," he said. Reprisals against shipowners who fail to take action "are not official ones", he added, "although inevitably there will be official consequences if a shipowner is asked to provide information and cannot do so. For example, port state authorities may deny them entry to port." According to the P&I clubs, there may be more than 50 computer chips embedded in navigation, safety and cargo-handling equipment on a modern ship, and between 20 per cent and 30 per cent of those chips may be vulnerable to year 2000 disruption. Malfunctions of those chips could have varying results, with some systems failing safe, others shutting down and the rest providing incorrect data. Article link from: ourworld.compuserve.com