Trelleborg Develops IALA Compliant Nav Aids
Trelleborg Offshore, a global manufacturer of polymer and syntactic foam-based solutions for the offshore industry, has developed a complete range of IALA (International Association of Lighthouse Authorities) compliant Navigation Buoys and Lights.
A unique alternative to traditional buoys, these new solutions offer the specifier significant total life cost-savings as well as improved reliability. The comprehensive range, which includes, lateral marks, cardinal marks, special marks, safe water and isolated danger marks, has been specifically developed by Trelleborg to provide a credible alternative to high maintenance steel hulled and rotationally molded buoys.
Ashley Tasker, Vice President of Marine at Trelleborg, comments: “Our new and comprehensive range of navigation buoys is constructed with an elastomer hull and an aluminum superstructure to provide a low maintenance, UV stable solution which is lighter than steel, but which still offers excellent stability and all round impact damage resistance. The range is also fully IALA compliant and will cover the IALA Navigation Mark Scope.
“Using traditional hulls such as steel and the new plastic, rotationally molded buoys, has plenty of disadvantages, with problems such as maintenance and UV damage common place. We’ve developed a new solution that combines the best of both worlds to create a unique and reliable alternative for both Ports and Harbors and the offshore Marine industry.”
Utilizing Trelleborg’s proven buoyancy technology, the range features a superstructure of marine grade aluminum and provides low maintenance over steel and improved impact resistance and UV stability over rotationally molded alternatives. It also features a single float section and can be repainted over time.
The buoy diameters can range between 1.25m to 3m (49.2.1 inches to 118.1 inches) and are available in a selection of configurations and colors, as well as a choice of power and mooring options. Tasker continues: “So far our new and complete range of navigation aids have been extremely well received, particularly in the UK, where a number of major ports already have significant orders scheduled for 2012.” To compliment this, Trelleborg can also offer Ports and Harbors lighting system solutions including both sector and leading light systems.