:: KAEEPL - Our Products - Navigational Buoy ::

A smooth 8 mil Gelcoat on the exterior Red, White, Green or Yellow prevents Color fading and weathering. It also provides good adhesive surface for retro-reflective markings. The buoy is completely filled with closed-cell polyurethane foam for optimum buoyancy. The Counterweight is of the Cast-iron with flattened base that provides a stand for the buoy during storage. KAE’s finned design makes the buoy stable in wind and current, heeling angle is less than 10° in 100 mph. wind. Bolted at the bottom of the buoy is a 3/16” steel plate, which is also rigidly attached to the counterweight. The arrangement spreads normal stress throughout the hull, virtually eliminating the possibility of the counterweight breaking off the buoy body.

Freeboard is the distance from the waterline to the buoy deck and constitutes the reserve buoyancy of the buoy. Every buoy requires a minimum reserve freeboard at its maximum mooring depth in order to resist wind, current and waves. The Amount of moorings that the buoy can safely support is calculated from the available freeboard and the buoys submerge factor.

Moorings must meet the environmental conditions at the site, depending on these conditions, the total conditions, the total chain length can range from 1.5 times to 4 times the water depth. The chain must be long and heavy enough that its weight will reduce the shock load on the buoy created by force of the ocean. A minimum freeboard must be maintained to allow the buoy to ride high in water even rough seas. Finally, considerations must be given to bottom conditions that could cause excessive wear and abrasion on the moorings.

The Sinker must be heavy enough to hold the buoy on the station during the expected environmental conditions. Sinkers are normally made of concrete for economic reasons.

Mooring Maintenance is vital. Depending on bottom conditions, moorings may require inspection as often as every six months for the first couple of years until the wear pattern is established. If excessive wear is evident, switching end for end can extend mooring life.

Buoy Maintenance is governed by environmental conditions. Normally, the buoy’s paint system will last for six years. Anti-fouling paints will help retard sea grwth. With proper care & maintainence G.R.P bouys will have life of 20-25 yrs.