Offshore construction vessels operate in some of the most demanding solar environments on earth. Working in open water with no land mass to provide shade, often in high-sun regions such as the Gulf of Mexico, the Arabian Gulf, the North Sea during summer months, and Southeast Asian waters, these vessels expose their navigation bridge and crane cab operators to sustained, unrelenting direct sunlight throughout the working day.
For a vessel class where precision positioning, complex crane operations, and simultaneous multi-team coordination are the daily operational norm, the visual and environmental consequences of uncontrolled sun glare and solar heat are not minor inconveniences. They are direct safety risks that affect the performance of the people responsible for some of the most technically demanding vessel operations in the offshore industry.
Solar Solve has been supplying SOLASOLVĀ® Type Approved anti-glare screens to offshore construction vessels for decades. This article explains why these vessels need specialist solar protection, what Solar Solve supplies, and the proven track record of SOLASOLVĀ® installations on offshore construction vessels operating worldwide.
Why Offshore Construction Vessels Have Specific Solar Protection Requirements
Not all commercial vessels face the same solar protection challenge. An offshore construction vessel presents a specific and demanding set of requirements that distinguishes it from a conventional cargo ship or passenger ferry.
Navigation Bridge Operations on Offshore Construction Vessels
The navigation bridge on an offshore construction vessel is not simply a steering platform. It is the operational control centre for a vessel that may be:
- Maintaining dynamic positioning within metres of a fixed offshore platform or subsea installation
- Coordinating crane lifts involving heavy components being lowered onto fixed structures or onto the seabed
- Conducting pipe laying or cable laying operations that require continuous positional awareness and adjustment
- Manoeuvring in proximity to other construction vessels, diving support vessels, and supply boats in a busy offshore field
In each of these scenarios, the officer of the watch and the dynamic positioning operator require unimpaired visual contact with the working environment. Sun glare that impairs forward visibility or reflects off instrument screens during a dynamic positioning manoeuvre or a crane lift is not an operational inconvenience. It is a safety hazard with potentially serious consequences.
Crane Cab Operations ā A Second Critical Solar Exposure Point
Offshore construction vessels are distinguished from most other vessel types by the presence of large, high-capacity cranes, often with lift capacities ranging from several hundred to several thousand tonnes. The crane operator cab is positioned at height, with panoramic windows that give the operator visual control over the lift zone below.
These crane cab windows face direct sunlight for extended periods during offshore operations. A crane operator dealing with sun glare during a critical lift phase faces precisely the same visual impairment challenge as a bridge officer during a dynamic positioning operation, with similarly serious potential consequences if visibility is compromised at the wrong moment.
SOLASOLVĀ® screens are installed at both navigation bridge windows and crane cab windows on offshore construction vessels, providing the same Type Approved solar protection at both critical operational positions on the vessel.
Solar Exposure in the Gulf of Mexico and Other High-Sun Offshore Regions
The Gulf of Mexico is one of the most active offshore construction markets in the world and also one of the most challenging solar environments for vessel crews. Vessels operating in the Gulf of Mexico face:
- High solar elevation angles for extended periods throughout the year, meaning direct sunlight enters bridge and crane cab windows at angles that cause maximum glare and heat gain
- Reflected glare from the water surface that compounds direct glare from the sky, particularly during morning and afternoon watch periods
- Ambient temperatures and humidity levels that amplify the discomfort and fatigue effects of solar heat gain inside enclosed bridge and crane cab environments
- Sustained operational periods in open water without port calls or sheltered anchorages that might provide natural relief from solar exposure
Similar conditions are encountered in other key offshore construction markets including the Arabian Gulf, West Africa, Southeast Asia, and the Brazilian Santos Basin. SOLASOLVĀ® screens are in service on vessels operating across all of these regions.
Solar Solveās Proven Track Record on Offshore Construction Vessels
Solar Solveās experience in the offshore construction sector is not theoretical. The company has a documented history of supplying SOLASOLVĀ® screens to some of the most technically advanced and operationally demanding offshore construction vessels in the global fleet.
Seven Eagle ā Subsea 7 Offshore Construction and Diving Support Vessel
Solar Solve supplied 18 SOLASOLVĀ® anti-glare screens to Seven Eagle, an offshore construction and flexlay diving support vessel managed by Subsea 7, one of the worldās leading offshore energy services companies. The screens were installed at the navigation bridge and crane cab windows of the vessel, which was deployed for operations in the Gulf of Mexico.
Seven Eagle is a technically advanced vessel equipped with a 16-man twin bell saturation diving system, making bridge and crane visibility a continuous operational safety requirement during complex subsea construction activities. Paul Hopkins, Solar Solveās Sales and Marketing Executive, commented at the time of the order: āThey will help to reduce glare and reflection on the navigation bridge whilst the vessel operates at sea, as the sun can be a problem in this area.ā
OSA Goliath ā One of the Worldās Largest Heavy Lift Offshore Construction Vessels
Solar Solve supplied 39 SOLASAFEĀ® cassette sunscreens to OSA Goliath, one of the largest heavy load offshore construction vessels in the world, through its Netherlands-based distributor Temaro BV. The screens were installed at the wheelhouse and crane cab windows while the vessel was berthed at the Port of Rotterdam prior to operational deployment in the Gulf of Mexico.
OSA Goliath is equipped with a 2,000-tonne crane used for platform reconditioning, pipe laying, and offshore wind turbine installation. At 590 feet in length with a 22,000 DWT capacity, the vessel represents exactly the type of large, complex offshore construction platform where SOLASOLVĀ® screens are critical to safe crane and bridge operations in high-sun offshore environments.
| Vessel | Operator | Screens Supplied | Installation Location | Operational Area |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seven Eagle | Subsea 7 | 18 SOLASOLVĀ® screens | Navigation bridge and crane cab | Gulf of Mexico |
| OSA Goliath | Coastline Maritime | 39 SOLASAFEĀ® screens | Wheelhouse and crane cab | Gulf of Mexico |
SOLASOLVĀ® Performance on Offshore Construction Vessels
The performance requirements for anti-glare screens on offshore construction vessels are demanding and specific. The product must reduce glare and heat effectively while maintaining the clear outward visibility that navigation bridge officers, dynamic positioning operators, and crane cab operators require for safe offshore operations.
SOLASOLVĀ® screens meet these requirements through independently verified, Type Approved performance:
| Performance Measure | SOLASOLVĀ® Rating | Relevance to Offshore Construction Vessels |
|---|---|---|
| Solar glare rejection | Up to 93% | Eliminates glare impairing DP operators, bridge officers, and crane cab operators during critical operations |
| Solar heat rejection | Up to 87% | Reduces bridge and crane cab temperatures in high-sun offshore regions including the Gulf of Mexico and Arabian Gulf |
| UV light rejection | Up to 99% | Protects crew and sensitive bridge and crane control electronics from UV radiation during extended offshore operations |
| Outward visibility | Fully maintained | Officer of the watch and crane operator retain full, undistorted view through the window at all times |
Type Approval for Offshore Construction Vessel Specifications
Offshore construction vessel specifications routinely require that all bridge and operational window fittings hold Type Approval from the vesselās appointed classification society. For offshore construction vessels, DNV is the most commonly appointed classification society, making DNV Type Approval the most frequently required credential for window fitting suppliers in this sector.
SOLASOLVĀ® screens hold Type Approval from all four leading international classification societies:
- Lloydās Register ā recognised worldwide for commercial shipping and offshore vessel certification
- DNV ā the benchmark authority for offshore and energy sector vessel certification, critical for North Sea and Gulf of Mexico offshore projects
- ABS (American Bureau of Shipping) ā essential for vessels operating under US flag or in US government procurement frameworks in the Gulf of Mexico
- RINA (Registro Italiano Navale) ā recognised across EU flag states and internationally
This combination of approvals means SOLASOLVĀ® screens can be specified confidently on offshore construction vessels operating under any of these classification societies without the need for additional approval processes. All Type Approval certificates are available for download from the Solar Solve downloads page.
SOLASOLVĀ® Products for Offshore Construction Vessels
Solar Solve offers two Type Approved anti-glare screen formats for offshore construction vessel applications:
SOLASAFEĀ® (with cassette) is the cassette-mounted format, providing a clean, self-contained housing that integrates neatly with the window frame. It is preferred for newbuild specification on offshore construction vessels where the screens are integrated into the bridge and crane cab window design during the build programme. The cassette housing also protects the screen material from the salt air, humidity, and mechanical contact hazards present in offshore working environments.
SOLAROLAĀ® (without cassette) is the non-cassette format, providing the same Type Approved SOLASOLVĀ® performance in a straightforward roller screen design suitable for retrofit installation on offshore vessels already in service. Both products are manufactured in South Shields, UK, and supplied to offshore locations worldwide through Solar Solveās distributor network spanning more than 40 office locations across 6 continents.
For full details of Solar Solveās range of offshore solutions, visit the Solar Solve offshore sector page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do offshore construction vessels need anti-glare screens?
Offshore construction vessels operate in open-water environments with continuous, unobstructed exposure to direct sunlight. Navigation bridge and crane cab operators face prolonged sun glare that impairs visibility of the sea, other vessels, and operational targets. Anti-glare screens reduce solar glare by up to 93% while maintaining full outward visibility, which is critical for safe crane operations, pipe laying, and dynamic positioning manoeuvres.
Are SOLASOLVĀ® screens suitable for crane cabs as well as navigation bridges?
Yes. SOLASOLVĀ® anti-glare screens are installed at both navigation bridge windows and crane operator cab windows on offshore construction vessels. Crane operators work at height in enclosed cabs with direct sun exposure during lifting, pipe laying, and installation operations, making glare and heat protection as operationally critical for crane cabs as it is for the navigation bridge.
What Type Approvals do SOLASOLVĀ® screens hold for offshore use?
SOLASOLVĀ® screens hold Type Approval from Lloydās Register, DNV, ABS, and RINA. DNV Type Approval is particularly significant for offshore construction vessels, as DNV is the leading classification society for the offshore and energy sector. These approvals confirm that SOLASOLVĀ® screens meet the required standards for installation on offshore vessels operating under any of these classification societies.
Has Solar Solve supplied screens to offshore construction vessels before?
Yes. Solar Solve has a proven track record of supplying SOLASOLVĀ® screens to offshore construction vessels worldwide. Confirmed installations include Seven Eagle, managed by Subsea 7, where 18 SOLASOLVĀ® screens were supplied for the navigation bridge and crane cab windows, and OSA Goliath, one of the largest heavy lift offshore construction vessels in the world, where 39 SOLASAFEĀ® screens were installed by Solar Solveās Netherlands distributor Temaro BV at the Port of Rotterdam.
Can SOLASOLVĀ® screens be retrofitted to offshore vessels already in service?
Yes. SOLASOLVĀ® screens are suitable for both newbuild specification during the vessel construction programme and retrofit installation on vessels already in service. Solar Solveās worldwide distributor network, spanning more than 40 office locations across 6 continents, supports installation at ports and shipyards globally.
How do anti-glare screens support dynamic positioning operations on offshore vessels?
Dynamic positioning operations require precise, sustained visual monitoring of the vesselās position relative to fixed offshore infrastructure, other vessels, and subsea targets. Sun glare impairs the visual judgement of DP operators and reduces their ability to detect early signs of position drift. By eliminating up to 93% of solar glare while maintaining a clear outward view, SOLASOLVĀ® screens support the sustained visual concentration that safe DP operations require.
