Hydrosphere UK Ltd has supervised the successful build of four high visibility navigation buoys, supplied to Belfast Harbour to mark the deepwater approach to the main channel – and Seawork played its part in bringing the project to fruition.
During the procurement process, Belfast Harbour Master, Kevin Allen, met tendering parties at Seawork 2012, where he was able to evaluate first-hand the standards and quality of products available. The competitive nature of Hydrosphere’s products proved successful and four Mobilis JET 7000 buoys, complete with synchronised Vega VLB-36 navigation lights, were recommended and supplied as the best solution for the job.
Jeff Gibson, Sales Director for Hydrosphere , explained: “ The JET 7000 can reach a focal plane of up to 6m so is particularly suited for offshore locations where high visibility is a must. In addition, as with all buoys in the Mobilis JET range, they are constructed from UV stabilised polyethylene components that will retain their colour within IALA guidelines for more than 15 years. Together with the synchronised self contained VLB-36 lights these will provide a highly visible and stable platform with very low maintenance requirements.”
Working together with the Commissioners of Irish Lights, Phase 2 for the provision of high visibility buoys for Belfast Harbour was completed at the Irish Lights facility in Dun Laoghaire. This involved the assembly by CIL technicians of the 4 JET 7000 high visibility buoys, completed under the watchful eye of the Hydrosphere’s representative, Mr. Jeff Gibson.
Having inspected the buoys at the CIL facilities in Dun Laoghaire, Belfast Harbour Master Captain Kevin Allen expressed his approval: “I was very pleased with the build quality and am delighted with CIL’s involvement given their expertise in positioning and maintaining Aids to Navigation. The high visibility Jet 7000 buoys from Hydrosphere will enhance Marine Safety in the port approaches and support future port development by marking the deepwater route to the maintained channel.”
[mappress] Press Release, September 10, 2012