‘For port authorities and harbours across the globe, steel buoys should no longer be an option, said XJF Plastics managing director, Paul Fairhurst. ‘The commercial benefits of lightweight buoys are indisputable. Cost savings are massive and performance easily rivals that of steel.’

At stand A49, visitors to Seawork 2007 will be able to get up close to the buoy and talk with Peter Eason about why it is being chosen to replace steel buoys and see first hand the innovative features that have made it such a success.

XJF Plastics are sharing the stand with oceanographic equipment suppliers Planet Ocean, who commissioned Eason Marine to design a specialised data buoy based on the successful EM range. The two companies will be displaying live information from two data buoys. The first, a Planet Ocean DB-175 data buoy on display within a Versadock Pontoon system, will send live data back to the stand. Planet Ocean will also be displaying real-time wind, wave, temperature and current information via satellite from a buoy in the North Sea.

‘The communications infrastructure is now available for organisations to receive real-time oceanographic and meteorological data from anywhere in the world. The benefits of this technology to shipping, offshore renewables and science are enormous, added Terry Sloane, MD of Planet Ocean. ‘Data buoys provide the platform for sensors, power and telemetry and the stability, resilience and choice of Eason Marine buoys allow us to offer a range of configurations dependant upon conditions which cover lakes and reservoirs to deep ocean. The removable Service Exchange Tower concept means that the hull and mooring can remain in place whilst the lightweight equipment and power module can be lifted on board for service by a much smaller vessel, substantially lowering servicing and operating costs.’

XJF Plastics has developed a range of buoys and navigational aids for use in some of the busiest sea-lanes and harbours in the world. All buoys are also designed with safety in mind. Non-slip surfaces can be applied to the floating section, and safety handrails can be attached to the Daymark where appropriate. The buoys are highly durable and have a long lifecycle.