As the fearsome pirate ship at the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino plies the waters of Sirens’ Cove in front of the Las Vegas landmark, link-type cable carriers are working hard below. The cables travel back and forth underwater to help the ship manage its power cables during its nightly Sirens of Treasure Island show.

More than 100 feet long, the cable carrier system slides in a trough, providing power to move the ship and operate its special effects. The Nylatrac® TL Series carrier, designed and manufactured by the Gortrac Division of A & A Manufacturing, prevents the cables from becoming tangled and imparts a gentle, rolling action to minimize excess cable flexing that could cause fatigue and cracking.

But it wasn’t always such smooth sailing for the vessel. Previously, the pirate ship used a different brand of cable carrier, which softened from being constantly submerged in the water and had to be replaced several times, each time in a year or less. The lack of locking hubs also contributed to its frequent failure rate.

To minimize the need for constant replacement, a new Nylatrac design was installed, which included locking hubs and stainless steel crossbars bolted in place to separate the cables and provide reinforcement. Together, these prevent the carrier from pulling apart. The new heavy-duty cable carrier is made of a glass-filled nylon material and includes replaceable sliders to accommodate wear. Because the carrier slides in a trough, the sliders can be replaced when they wear out, leaving the carrier itself intact, and the pirate ship afloat.

For more information contact A & A Mfg. Co. at 2300 S. Calhoun Rd., New Berlin, WI 53151 or Mark Cunningham at 262-786-1500 or by email at marcun@gortrac.com.