Star International has recently opened a new base in south west UK, writes Graeme Ewens.
Truro, the Cornish capital city, which lies at the top of the Fal estuary, has a maritime heritage dating back to its role exporting tin and copper in the 18th and 19th centuries. It’s has its own waterfront at Lighterage Quay and its proximity to the port of Falmouth and rail and road links west to Penzance/Newlyn and east to Plymouth and Appledore make it an ideal location for marine service companies.
A recent arrival is Star International, a Birkenhead-based international company that claims to service every UK port and key locations across the globe, which is extending its British presence into the South West. Its newly-opened office in the Newham area benefits from access to coastal and ocean going vessels calling at Falmouth for bunkers, repairs, drydocking, seeking shelter or layup. Naval and RFA auxilliary vessels, fishing fleets, ferry companies, salvage and workboat operators and offshore renewables contractors are among their regular customers.
Star specialises in firefighting, lifesaving and marine safety equipment, such as Breathing Aparatus systems; fire detection, suppression, alarm and extinguishing systems, whether gas-based, water, powder, foam or aerosol based, following IMO and MCA guidelines, along with fire hoses, equipment lockers and protection clothing. They hold fire system approvals from DNV-GL, Lloyds Register and Bureau Veritas.
Another of the company's specialities is the provision and servicing of lifesaving and evacuation equipment, including those from Liferaft Systems Australia (LSA). They also repair and service davits and launch systems for lifeboats and can supply lifejackets, immersion suits, lifebuoys, pyrotechnics and other safety kit. Star International also offer marine chemicals and fuel testing and treatment; refrigeration, welding, water treatment and ship-wide disinfection solutions.
At Seawork Connect 2021, Star will be promoting the range of Narwhal RIB safety boats and workboats for which they are the official distributer and service centre for the UK and Ireland. These ocean-going boats are characterised by their highly manoeuvrable V-shaped hulls and durable collar design that maintains buoyancy in the unlikely event of hull rupture. They have been developed to meet the requirements of marine and offshore operators and can be configured to customers' specific requirements. The company can also provide Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs) for surveillance, piracy detection and security applications.
Connect with Star International at Seawork Connect from 5th to 7th October