Solar Solve Marine, the South Shields based manufacturer of SOLASOLV® anti-glare, heat rejecting film blinds for navigation bridge windows, has just received an order from Princess Cruises for its vessel the Ocean Princess – a mid-sized cruise ship that mainly sails around Asia, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa and Europe.
The Northern Hemisphere is currently experiencing the winter season and whilst one of the benefits of SOLASOLV® film blinds is to reduce heat, the main reason for ordering during the winter months is to help to reduce excessive glare from the low lying sun. In this situation the sun tends to be in the line of sight and reflects off the water to create an uncomfortable and hazardous navigating experience. By rejecting up to 92% of glare, eye-strain is significantly reduced and the bridge equipment displays are easier to read so human errors are less likely to occur. A clear outward view is also maintained to ensure a safer journey.
The Ocean Princess was constructed by Chantiers de L’Atlantique in St. Nazaire, France, at a cost £150 million Great British Pounds. The vessel was launched in 1999 and was originally named R Four under the flag of Renaissance Cruises which went bankrupt in 2001. The vessel was then leased to Princess Cruises for two years in 2002 and after the lease expired the company purchased the vessel and the sister vessel R Three (now named Pacific Princess). The Ocean Princess can carry 826 passengers and 373 crew. 5 SOLASAFE® film blinds have been ordered for the navigation bridge windows.
Paul Hopkins, Solar Solve Marine’s Sales and Marketing Executive commented, “We are delighted that Princess Cruises have chosen to purchase SOLASOLV® film blinds again. During the winter season there is still a high demand for our product because of glare problems which is why Princess Cruises have purchased them this week. We also have an order to supply the Pacific Jewel.”.
