TRELLEBORG''S LOCAL MANUFACTURING IMPORTANT IN FALMOUTH HARBOUR CONTRACT WIN

Lloyd Pond, Assistant Harbour Master at Falmouth Harbour Commissioners, says: “We were very impressed with Trelleborg''s solution and the service we received was second to none. The buoys were manufactured locally, which meant we were able to actually go and see the factory where they were produced – what we found was a very accomplished operation.

“It''s actually the first time we''ve worked with Trelleborg and we''re already looking at our requirements for the next batch of navigation buoys. The procurement will go through our usual tendering process and Trelleborg will definitely be included.”

Trelleborg was able to provide the buoys, which are named after the locations in which they will be deployed, Vilt, Northbank, St Just and East Narrows, more competitively than other suppliers. Local technical support meant a Trelleborg engineer could go to Falmouth to build the buoys on delivery. Trelleborg supplied two TMS2400RM and two TMS1250RM buoys in port and starboard hand configurations.

Trelleborg''s navigation and marker buoys typically replace heavy and cumbersome steel buoys. They are lighter, lower maintenance and can be lifted on site using smaller maintenance vessels. Highly stable, they can also be used in shallow water.

Trelleborg manufactures a comprehensive range of navigation buoys from 1.25 to 3.6 meters in diameter. The hull sections and superstructure are manufactured from the most advanced materials available in ‘UV 15'' stable, virgin polyethylene.

The superstructure is manufactured using a ‘twin skin'' construction technique, providing a robust yet lightweight solution whilst the hull sections are filled with closed cell, water resistant foam, preventing sinking if the outer skin is punctured. The hull sections are fitted around a fully integrated steel, flat-based, galvanised core, incorporating both mooring and lifting eyes in a single piece, providing optimum strength and integrity.

The ‘flat base'' design also ensures that the buoys are easily stored upright both in the yard and on vessel deck ready for deployment and are adaptable to ‘dry out'' situations.

The use of polyethylene foam-filled hull sections means that the buoys are resistant to impact and provides a limited ‘self fendering'' situation. The buoys can also be offered with lights, moorings and electrical solutions including batteries and solar panels and ancillary equipment such as GPS, Racon and AIS.