Solar Solve Marine has supported the U.S. Navy’s Expeditionary Fast Transport fleet by supplying SOLASAFE® marine window blinds for navigation bridge windows across multiple vessels constructed by Austal USA.
Designed specifically for demanding maritime environments, SOLASAFE® marine solar blinds reduce solar glare and heat transmission on the bridge. This improves navigation visibility while creating a more comfortable working environment for bridge crews and reducing air conditioning demand.
The Challenge
The Expeditionary Fast Transport vessels are designed for rapid deployment of troops, vehicles and equipment in coastal and littoral environments.
These high speed aluminium catamarans feature large navigation bridge windows that provide excellent visibility for navigation. However, the extensive glazing also allows significant solar glare and heat to enter the bridge.
This creates several operational challenges:
- Glare affecting navigation visibility
- Solar heat build-up on the bridge
- Crew discomfort during extended watch periods
- Increased demand on air conditioning systems
The U.S. Navy required a reliable system of marine window sunshades capable of improving bridge visibility and crew comfort while meeting strict naval safety and durability requirements.
The Solution
Solar Solve Marine supplied SOLASAFE® marine roller sunscreens, a globally recognised shading system developed specifically for ship bridges and wheelhouses.
These specialist marine blinds deliver several operational benefits:
- Glare Reduction for Safer Navigation SOLASAFE® sunblinds for ships significantly reduce solar glare entering the bridge, allowing crew members to maintain clear forward visibility during navigation.
- Heat Rejection for Improved Crew Comfort SOLASAFE® marine solar blinds reject over 60 percent of solar heat transmission. This helps reduce bridge temperatures and creates a more comfortable working environment for bridge personnel.
- Energy Efficiency By limiting solar heat gain through the bridge windows, the screens help reduce the demand placed on onboard air conditioning systems.
- Proven Marine Reliability SOLASAFE® marine sunscreens are Type Approved marine products engineered for demanding maritime environments. The systems are designed to deliver at least seven years of reliable service with minimal maintenance.
Installation
Solar Solve Marine supplied consignments of between 30 and 35 SOLASAFE® marine window blinds per vessel for installation on the navigation bridge windows during construction at Austal USA shipyard.
The shading systems were integrated into the bridge environment as part of the shipyard’s build programme, ensuring the vessels were delivered to the U.S. Navy with fully installed sunblinds for ships already in place.
Solar Solve supplied SOLASAFE® systems for the following vessels:
- USNS Yuma (EPF-8)
- USNS City of Bismarck (EPF-9)
- USNS Burlington (T-EPF-10)
- USNS Puerto Rico (T-EPF-11)
- USNS Newport (T-EPF-12)
Deliveries were completed across multiple vessels between 2017 and 2020, supporting the final ships in the original Expeditionary Fast Transport programme.
The Result
The installation of SOLASAFE® marine window sunshades across the Expeditionary Fast Transport fleet has provided the U.S. Navy with a reliable bridge shading system that enhances both safety and crew comfort.
Key benefits include:
- Improved navigation visibility through glare reduction
- Reduced solar heat transmission on the bridge
- Enhanced working conditions for bridge crews
- Lower air conditioning energy demand
- Durable Type Approved marine blinds designed for long term maritime use
Martin Saunders, Managing Director, Solar Solve Marine, commented:
“We are very proud of the work we do for the U.S. Navy and the fact that our efforts are recognised by regularly being invited to tender for further projects. Our Type Approved SOLASAFE® screens are globally recognised as a highly effective navigation safety aid that delivers long term reliability with minimal maintenance.”
These installations demonstrate Solar Solve Marine’s capability to deliver trusted marine solar blinds and marine sunscreens for large scale naval vessel programmes.
Industry Recognition
Solar Solve Marine has supplied marine window blinds and roller sunscreens to U.S. Navy vessels for more than a decade, supporting multiple shipbuilding programmes with dependable bridge shading systems.
The USNS Newport (EPF-12) was the final vessel in the original Expeditionary Fast Transport series delivered by Austal USA, marking the completion of another successful supply programme for Solar Solve Marine.
Through innovative marine shading solutions such as SOLASAFE®, Solar Solve continues to support naval and commercial fleets worldwide with products designed to enhance navigation safety, crew comfort, and operational efficiency.
To learn more about Solar Solve’s full range of SOLASOLV® and ROLASOLV® solutions click here:
👉 Solar Roller Screens | Anti-Glare Shades by Solar Solve
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