Falmouth Harbour, UK, is working to attract visiting superyachts with a £50,000 investment in new high-capacity mooring buoys.
The new ‘self-fendering’ Caldy and Frigate buoys have replaced post-WW2 steel Admiralty buoys which have reached the end of their operational life.
The investment forms part of an ongoing programme to modernise harbour infrastructure and respond to increasing demand from larger visiting vessels.
The buoys, which each measure 3 x 2 metre and have a buoyancy of 7000kg, are designed and built by Plymouth-based AIS Marine.
Unlike their steel predecessors they are built to absorb impacts, leaving both buoys and vessels undamaged should they come into contact.
High-capacity moorings
“Falmouth has always been a natural haven for large vessels,” said Miles Carden, CEO of Falmouth Harbour.
“This investment builds on that strength, providing modern, high-capacity moorings that meet the expectations of today’s operators while retaining the flexibility and ease of access that sets the harbour apart.”
AIS Marine’s Tim Phillips, added: “We’re pleased to support Falmouth Harbour with this investment in modern mooring infrastructure.
“Our buoy systems are designed to deliver reliable performance in high-load environments. A key advantage is the minimal maintenance required compared to their traditional steel counterparts – and maximal flexibility they offer for port operators and vessel owners alike.”
The new moorings have been installed by Seawide Services.
