Case

Maritim Consult supplied customised buoys for a large tunnel project in a Norwegian fjord. The buoys needed to serve as stable platforms for expensive measuring equipment while also clearly marking the equipment for vessel traffic.

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Challenge

Before work could begin on an immersed tunnel across a 500–600m deep Norwegian fjord, the infrastructure project needed accurate data on current conditions, wave height and wildlife. The measuring equipment required was expensive, hard to replace, and needed to stay on the water around the clock — so secure, stable storage was essential.

 

The equipment was expensive, difficult to move and needed to remain on the water continuously, placing high demands on stability, access and visible marking. It had to stay on the water 24 hours a day and therefore needed to be stored securely.

 

It was important to get the buoys in the water quickly so that data collection could begin and be completed without affecting the tunnel project schedule.

 

Solution

Maritim Consult advised the customer on the options and selected a standard Trident 2600 buoy, which was customised for the task. An extra hatch made it easier to place and service the equipment in the buoy, while AIS made the buoys visible both physically and on electronic nautical charts.

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The buoys also served as aids to navigation, helping prevent collisions with vessels. This is an important function for protecting the equipment, which is located both inside the buoys and in the water beneath them.

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Result

• Combined platform and marking solution that protected the measuring equipment while making it easy for vessels to navigate safely around the area

• Customisation of a proven standard buoy (Trident 2600) for the specific task eliminated the need to design a solution from scratch

• Fast delivery kept schedule on track: The close collaboration ensured delivery in 6 weeks instead of the normal lead time of 8–10 weeks, allowing the measurements to start on time