Offshore Systems

INTRODUCTION
The Syncrolan® offshore aids to navigation system is the latest development in Tideland Signal’s very successful platform marking system.  Widely used around the world, the system has a history of reliable service in some of the harshest environments on the planet, stretching back over 40 years.

The system is specifically designed to meet or exceed all known operational and safety requirements for aids to navigation on offshore installations.  It complies with IALA Recommendation O-139 on the Marking of Man-Made Offshore Structures, and includes the option of a 15nm light (often required by local authorities), making it compliant with North Sea regulations.  The Syncrolan® system is certified under the ATEX Directive 94/9/EC for use in Zone 1 hazardous areas.  Also available are versions for Zone 2 and for Class 1 Division 2 Group D areas, as described by the National Electrical Code.

To further enhance safety at sea for offshore workers and mariners, Tideland Signal developed the Seabeacon radar beacon (racon).  It is available certified for use in Zone 1 and Zone 2 hazardous areas, as well as for safe area use. The Informer V03 is an AIS device that complies with IEC60945.

OPERATING PHILOSOPHY
Tideland Signal’s design philosophy is to make each of their lanterns and fog signals autonomous units, therefore each unit has its own U coder.  In this way the service to the mariner is not affected by any central control panel failure.  It also provides flexibility in the way the system is powered either by a central battery or a “decentralised” battery system.  In the central system, standby power is maintained by a battery with a battery charger housed in an AC cabinet.  A DC distribution board and monitor panel provides control over the equipment and alarm reporting.  In the “de-centralised” system each light and fog signal station has its own power supply and battery with local controls. A central monitor panel provides alarm indications. Both versions can provide a central photocell override and a fog signal silent switch.  The advantage of the “de-centralised” configuration is that space is saved in the central areas and DC distribution is minimised.

LIGHT STATION
The light station comprises the main 15nm light comprising a pair of MLED-180HI Ex LED Lanterns and the secondary or standby powered 10nm light.  The integral U-coders mean they operate as a main and secondary pair independent from instructions from a central panel.  They are mounted on a stainless steel or galvanised steel pedestal with an Exe junction box to accept field cables. The Light station has an input voltage of 24 VDC minimizing voltage drop and removing the need for inverters.

Main light
The EExde certified MLED-180HI Ex LED main light features a high efficiency LED flasher head
operating at an average power of 40W. A biform arrangement of 2 x MLED-180HI Ex lights provides a range of 15NM. On board software generates the Morse U code and monitors the critical operating parameters of the flasher. If a failure is detected the Secondary Lantern is illuminated and an alarm is generated which is displayed on a central alarm panel.

Secondary light
The EExde certified MLED-150 Ex LED secondary light is fitted with a MaxiHalo-150 LED Flasher operating providing a range of 10NM. On board software generates the Morse U code and monitors the critical operating parameters of the flasher. If a failure is detected an alarm is generated and displayed on a central alarm panel.

FOG STATION
The AB68 fog signal consists of a vertical array of six TDA24450 driver units sounding in unison, to provide a usual range of 2nm. To ensure maximum reliability, two ECU 800s are used to generate the Morse U character, one duty and one standby.  A current monitor will automatically change over from the duty to the standby ECU and report an alarm to the central panel.  Any two driver units are sufficient to meet the ½ mile secondary range requirement.

SUBSIDIARY LIGHT
The red 3nm subsidiary light also uses the MLED-150Ex lantern fitted with a MaxiHalo-60 red LED flasher.

RADAR BEACON (RACON)
The Seabeacon aids identification of the structure to vessels fitted with marine radar, by providing an identifying (Morse) coded trace on the interrogating radar's display.

The Seabeacon is used by many 100's of users all over the world and is currently certified by such authorities as Industry Canada, FCC in USA and Mexico. It is Atex certified and can also be supplied in General Marine Use (GMU) versions.

FOG DETECTOR
The fog, or more accurately the visibility detector, provides automatic control over the fog signal, and can be supplied in ‘safe area’ and ‘hazardous area’ versions.  The fog detector can also override the photocell, turning the lights on during daylight when visibility is poor.