In support of the requirement for navigational markings on offshore structures, the Northern Lighthouse Board has developed a range of solutions to assist in ensuring full compliance with current legislation:
The Board offers both short and long term solutions to fit with the decommissioning programmes of our clients. This permits cost effective solutions for use during the decommissioning process and for the permanent marking of any remaining structure in perpetuity.
The Interim AtoN is a self-contained, solar-powered Aid to Navigation incorporating a 10nm lantern and optional Racon and GPS synchronisation. It is designed for use on platforms during the topside removal phase and can be relocated as the project develops to give continuous conspicuity in latitudes to 61 deg North. The Interim AtoN can also be used during the development of a field, e.g. to mark a caisson tower until a jack-up unit is installed for operations.
The Rigwatcher AtoN was developed to fulfil the need for the long term marking of decommissioned offshore structures left in place, such as concrete gravity base platforms. Rigwatcher is a self-contained, solar-powered AtoN designed to be monitored remotely and exchanged for maintenance by helicopter remote lifting. Where more than one unit is deployed on the remaining structures in a decommissioned field, GPS synchronisation will provide clear conspicuity. Continuous remote monitoring via satellite is achieved from the Board's Monitoring Centre in Edinburgh.
Offshore Marker Buoys are deployed to mark well-heads and other subsea assets. The Board's skills in buoy handling ensure the safe and cost effective deployment, recovery and maintenance of buoys.
The Board's Monitoring Centre is staffed around the clock, 365 days a year. From this facility it is possible to monitor Aids to Navigation anywhere in the world via satellite links to installed transmitters. Ongoing monitoring provides for informed proactive maintenance scheduling to enable IALA Category 1 compliance. Support Services....More
NLB Oban provides a full maintenance, servicing and storage facility for our clients' Aids to Navigation. Navigational Marking - Oil and Gas Installations