A few weeks ago, I downloaded from the YESTERDAY TV channel, a series of programmes titled IMPOSSIBLE ENGINEERING, produced in 2019 by TwoFour TV Ltd for UK TV. Information can be found here.
Series 5, Episode 5 featured BOKA VANGUARD, and once again I was very pleasantly surprised when I noticed that at the windows on the navigation bridge and other areas, there were SOLASAFE marine solar blinds installed.
In November 2012 we dispatched a consignment of 37 SOLASAFE marine solar blinds in grey solar film as the anti-glare, infra-red, ultraviolet protective medium, for windows on the Navigation Bridge, Operations and Control areas. They were installed ready for the vessel builder’s handover to its new owners, in January 2013, at the shipyard where it was built in South Korea.
At that time of its delivery 7 years ago, BOKA VANGUARD was the largest semi-submersible lift ship ever built and is still the world’s largest heavy lift ship today.
The vessels capabilities are absolutely staggering and the owners have post a number of videos on YouTube to demonstrate her remarkable expertise. She is seen below loading the Cruise liner Carnival Vista in July 2019 to dry-dock the cruise ship…
The video below shows her record-breaking transportation of a 360 mtr long by 60 mtr wide, 36,000 ton fish farm, the longest cargo ever transported by the lift ship…
The marine solar blinds are designed to reflect glare, heat and ultraviolet light and act as a navigation safety aid for the personnel working in those areas, by creating a safer and more comfortable working environment. In the case of BOKA VANGUARD, the loading and manoeuvring operations can be extremely difficult and dangerous, demanding complete concentration and perfect observation of the process that is being performed.
The SOLASAFE marine solar blinds were often in use during the programme and whilst they were 6 years old at the time of filming, they appeared to still be working very effectively, which is in a line with the product guarantee that lasts for seven years.
John H Lightfoot MBE
