Hi 
  Dan,
   
  I agree, 
  it's not worth bringing up for discussion whether drilling and bolting is the 
  right way to install viewports.  All the experts say otherwise and ASME 
  doesn't allow for it.  However, I'm still interested in hearing their 
  reasons for choosing that design since it is not ABS approved and 
  frankly, fabricating an ABS approved design would not appear to represent a 
  financial burden to them.  I can't understand their choice.  It 
  can't be ignorance or stupidity since their are some educated people 
  associated with the design.  What seems left is just a conscious decision 
  to ignore the standard.  For what reason?
   
  Jon
  
    
    
    
Jon,
    Holes drilled in acrylic viewports is not a good idea. Mrs. Stachiw 
    said so , Greg Cottrell says so and ABS says so. We have beat this one 
    to death already.
     
    Dan L.