SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Sept. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Raven Industries,
Inc. (Nasdaq: RAVN) - announced today that its Flow Controls Division is
providing 10 of its GPS-based Wheelhouse(TM) ship pilot navigation systems to
the Mississippi River professional ship pilots organizations in the New
Orleans area at no charge. This package, which normally retails for over
$150,000, is in support of the restoration of the combined Ports of New
Orleans and Baton Rouge.
"These systems will increase safety and make navigation possible under the
extreme conditions now faced by large vessels operating along the
Mississippi," noted Raven President and CEO Ronald M. Moquist. "What has
happened as a result of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath is a profound
American tragedy, and we want to assist in the most effective way we can."
In addition to the navigation hardware, Moquist also noted that Flow
Controls' Marine group has been supplying on-site support for training and
operations as well. Near real time chart data updates will also be provided
from the Marine group office in Austin, Texas as information becomes available
from the US Army Corps of Engineers, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), the US Coast Guard, and the pilot organizations.
These systems and support are being supplied under a no-cost agreement to
the professional ship pilot organizations.
Captain Doug Grubbs, of one of the ship pilot organizations, expressed his
gratitude in the following statement: "Within days following Hurricane
Katrina, Raven Industries came to the aid of the Mississippi river pilots to
help reopen the combined Ports of New Orleans and Baton Rouge. The 10 GPS and
AIS (Automatic Identification System) carry-aboard navigation systems, as well
as on-site support by Raven personnel have been critical to the successful
reopening of the largest combined port in the country."
Dan Rykhus, Executive Vice President of Raven Industries added, "We are
happy that we can be part of the relief effort and we hope that our
contributions speed the recovery of the New Orleans area."
Raven Industries, a major player in the professional ship pilot market,
has supplied systems and support to this industry for approximately 10 years.
Raven systems help professional ship pilots with the difficult task of moving
large vessels through ports. The systems include high-performance GPS
receivers, computers, and fully customized charting software designed for the
professional ship pilot.
On the Internet, information is available at http://www.ravenind.com , the
company's website.
SIC Codes: 3672, 3081, 3829
SOURCE Raven Industries, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.ravenind.com
CONTACT:
Tom Iacarella, VP & CFO of Raven Industries,
Inc., +1-605-336-2750; or Dennis Waite, General Inquiries,
+1-708-246-6265, Leslie Loyet, Analyst Inquiries,
+1-312-640-6672, or Tim Grace, Media Inquiries, +1-312-640-6741,
all of Financial Relations Board
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