
<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 24.a

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------
                                        

(Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. relating to the BW/IP, Inc. 1996
Directors Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan and the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-
Term Incentive Plan)

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Bernard G. Rethore and John D. Hannesson and each of them his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute
and file in his name and on his behalf:

     (a) a Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. (the "Corporation") on Form S-8
     proposed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
     for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
     (the "Securities Act"), Common Shares of the Corporation, par value $.01
     per share (the "Common Stock"), and other securities of the Corporation to
     be offered pursuant to the BW/IP 1996 Directors Stock and Deferred
     Compensation Plan and/or the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
     "Plans") and as may be required with respect to the continued registration
     of the Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plans; and

     (b) any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective
     amendments) to such Registration Statement;

and any and all other instruments which such attorneys and agents, or any one of
them deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with the
Securities Act, the rules, regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect
thereof, and the securities or 
<PAGE>
 
Blue Sky laws of any state or other political subdivision or jurisdiction of the
United States and any other jurisdiction, foreign or domestic; as fully to all
intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and
confirming as his own act and deed all that such attorneys and agents, and each
of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to
be done by virtue hereof. Any one of such attorneys and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power of
attorney this 31st day of January, 1997.



                                 /s/ MICHAEL F. JOHNSTON
                                 -----------------------
                                 Michael F. Johnston
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------
                                        

(Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. relating to the BW/IP, Inc. 1996
Directors Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan and the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-
Term Incentive Plan)

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Bernard G. Rethore and John D. Hannesson and each of them his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute
and file in his name and on his behalf:

     (a) a Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. (the "Corporation") on Form S-8
     proposed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
     for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
     (the "Securities Act"), Common Shares of the Corporation, par value $.01
     per share (the "Common Stock"), and other securities of the Corporation to
     be offered pursuant to the BW/IP 1996 Directors Stock and Deferred
     Compensation Plan and/or the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
     "Plans") and as may be required with respect to the continued registration
     of the Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plans; and

     (b) any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective
     amendments) to such Registration Statement;

and any and all other instruments which such attorneys and agents, or any one of
them deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with the
Securities Act, the rules, regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect
thereof, and the securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other political
subdivision or jurisdiction of the United States and any other jurisdiction,
foreign or domestic; as fully to all intents and purposes 
<PAGE>
 
as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming as his own
act and deed all that such attorneys and agents, and each of them, or their or
his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. Any one of such attorneys and agents shall have, and may exercise, all
of the powers hereby conferred.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power of
attorney this 27th day of January, 1997.



                                 /s/ GEORGE D. LEAL
                                 ------------------
                                 George D. Leal
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------
                                        

(Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. relating to the BW/IP, Inc. 1996
Directors Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan and the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-
Term Incentive Plan)

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Bernard G. Rethore and John D. Hannesson and each of them his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute
and file in his name and on his behalf:

     (a) a Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. (the "Corporation") on Form S-8
     proposed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
     for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
     (the "Securities Act"), Common Shares of the Corporation, par value $.01
     per share (the "Common Stock"), and other securities of the Corporation to
     be offered pursuant to the BW/IP 1996 Directors Stock and Deferred
     Compensation Plan and/or the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
     "Plans") and as may be required with respect to the continued registration
     of the Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plans; and

     (b) any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective
     amendments) to such Registration Statement;

and any and all other instruments which such attorneys and agents, or any one of
them deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with the
Securities Act, the rules, regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect
thereof, and the securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other political
subdivision or jurisdiction of the United States and any other jurisdiction,
foreign or domestic; as fully to all intents and purposes 
<PAGE>
 
as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming as his own
act and deed all that such attorneys and agents, and each of them, or their or
his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. Any one of such attorneys and agents shall have, and may exercise, all
of the powers hereby conferred.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power of
attorney this 28th day of January, 1997.



                                         /s/ H. JACK MEANY
                                         -----------------
                                         H. Jack Meany
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------
                                        

(Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. relating to the BW/IP, Inc. 1996
Directors Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan and the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-
Term Incentive Plan)

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Bernard G. Rethore and John D. Hannesson and each of them his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute
and file in his name and on his behalf:

     (a) a Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. (the "Corporation") on Form S-8
     proposed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
     for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
     (the "Securities Act"), Common Shares of the Corporation, par value $.01
     per share (the "Common Stock"), and other securities of the Corporation to
     be offered pursuant to the BW/IP 1996 Directors Stock and Deferred
     Compensation Plan and/or the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
     "Plans") and as may be required with respect to the continued registration
     of the Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plans; and

     (b) any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective
     amendments) to such Registration Statement;

and any and all other instruments which such attorneys and agents, or any one of
them deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with the
Securities Act, the rules, regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect
thereof, and the securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other political
subdivision or jurisdiction of the United States and any other jurisdiction,
foreign or domestic; as fully to all intents and purposes 
<PAGE>
 
as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming as his own
act and deed all that such attorneys and agents, and each of them, or their or
his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. Any one of such attorneys and agents shall have, and may exercise, all
of the powers hereby conferred.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power of
attorney this 29th day of January, 1997.



                                 /s/ JAMES S. PIGNATELLI
                                 -----------------------
                                 James S. Pignatelli
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------
                                        

(Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. relating to the BW/IP, Inc. 1996
Directors Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan and the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-
Term Incentive Plan)

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Bernard G. Rethore and John D. Hannesson and each of them his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute
and file in his name and on his behalf:

     (a) a Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. (the "Corporation") on Form S-8
     proposed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
     for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
     (the "Securities Act"), Common Shares of the Corporation, par value $.01
     per share (the "Common Stock"), and other securities of the Corporation to
     be offered pursuant to the BW/IP 1996 Directors Stock and Deferred
     Compensation Plan and/or the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
     "Plans") and as may be required with respect to the continued registration
     of the Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plans; and

     (b) any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective
     amendments) to such Registration Statement;

and any and all other instruments which such attorneys and agents, or any one of
them deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with the
Securities Act, the rules, regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect
thereof, and the securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other political
subdivision or jurisdiction of the United States and any other jurisdiction,
foreign or domestic; as fully to all intents and purposes 
<PAGE>
 
as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming as his own
act and deed all that such attorneys and agents, and each of them, or their or
his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. Any one of such attorneys and agents shall have, and may exercise, all
of the powers hereby conferred.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power of
attorney this 28th day of January, 1997.



                                 /s/ JAMES O. ROLLANS
                                 --------------------
                                 James O. Rollans
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------
                                        

(Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. relating to the BW/IP, Inc. 1996
Directors Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan and the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-
Term Incentive Plan)

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Bernard G. Rethore and John D. Hannesson and each of them his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute
and file in his name and on his behalf:

     (a) a Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. (the "Corporation") on Form S-8
     proposed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
     for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
     (the "Securities Act"), Common Shares of the Corporation, par value $.01
     per share (the "Common Stock"), and other securities of the Corporation to
     be offered pursuant to the BW/IP 1996 Directors Stock and Deferred
     Compensation Plan and/or the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
     "Plans") and as may be required with respect to the continued registration
     of the Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plans; and

     (b) any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective
     amendments) to such Registration Statement;

and any and all other instruments which such attorneys and agents, or any one of
them deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with the
Securities Act, the rules, regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect
thereof, and the securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other political
subdivision or jurisdiction of the United States and any other jurisdiction,
foreign or domestic; as fully to all intents and purposes 
<PAGE>
 
as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming as his own
act and deed all that such attorneys and agents, and each of them, or their or
his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. Any one of such attorneys and agents shall have, and may exercise, all
of the powers hereby conferred.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power of
attorney this 28th day of January, 1997.



                                 /s/ WILLIAM C. RUSNACK
                                 ----------------------
                                 William C. Rusnack
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------
                                        

(Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. relating to the BW/IP, Inc. 1996
Directors Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan and the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-
Term Incentive Plan)

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Bernard G. Rethore and John D. Hannesson and each of them his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute
and file in his name and on his behalf:

     (a) a Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. (the "Corporation") on Form S-8
     proposed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
     for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
     (the "Securities Act"), Common Shares of the Corporation, par value $.01
     per share (the "Common Stock"), and other securities of the Corporation to
     be offered pursuant to the BW/IP 1996 Directors Stock and Deferred
     Compensation Plan and/or the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
     "Plans") and as may be required with respect to the continued registration
     of the Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plans; and

     (b) any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective
     amendments) to such Registration Statement;

and any and all other instruments which such attorneys and agents, or any one of
them deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with the
Securities Act, the rules, regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect
thereof, and the securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other political
subdivision or jurisdiction of the United States and any other jurisdiction,
foreign or domestic; as fully to all intents and purposes 
<PAGE>
 
as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming as his own
act and deed all that such attorneys and agents, and each of them, or their or
his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. Any one of such attorneys and agents shall have, and may exercise, all
of the powers hereby conferred.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power of
attorney this 29th day of January, 1997.



                                         /s/ PETER C. VALLI
                                         ------------------
                                         Peter C. Valli
<PAGE>
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
                               -----------------
                                        

(Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. relating to the BW/IP, Inc. 1996
Directors Stock and Deferred Compensation Plan and the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-
Term Incentive Plan)

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the undersigned constitutes and appoints
Bernard G. Rethore and John D. Hannesson and each of them his true and lawful
attorney-in-fact and agent, with full power of substitution and resubstitution,
for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities to execute
and file in his name and on his behalf:

     (a) a Registration Statement of BW/IP, Inc. (the "Corporation") on Form S-8
     proposed to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC")
     for the purpose of registering under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
     (the "Securities Act"), Common Shares of the Corporation, par value $.01
     per share (the "Common Stock"), and other securities of the Corporation to
     be offered pursuant to the BW/IP 1996 Directors Stock and Deferred
     Compensation Plan and/or the BW/IP, Inc. 1996 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the
     "Plans") and as may be required with respect to the continued registration
     of the Common Stock offered pursuant to the Plans; and

     (b) any and all amendments (including, without limitation, post-effective
     amendments) to such Registration Statement;

and any and all other instruments which such attorneys and agents, or any one of
them deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with the
Securities Act, the rules, regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect
thereof, and the securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other political
subdivision or jurisdiction of the United States and any other jurisdiction,
foreign or domestic; as fully to all intents and purposes 
<PAGE>
 
as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming as his own
act and deed all that such attorneys and agents, and each of them, or their or
his substitute or substitutes may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue
hereof. Any one of such attorneys and agents shall have, and may exercise, all
of the powers hereby conferred.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power of
attorney this 28th day of January, 1997.



                                         /s/ JEFFREY L. ZELMS
                                         --------------------
                                         Jeffrey L. Zelms
