Blue Parameters has introduced Mermaid-K, a mooring system designed for offshore and nearshore marine use, including mooring fields, aquaculture sites, marine infrastructure and energy projects.
The system was developed to operate in demanding marine environments and can be adapted to different water depths and site conditions. Mermaid-K may be installed as either a permanent or temporary mooring depending on project requirements.
Early use of the system has already taken place at a number of coastal locations. On the Isle of Eigg in Scotland, Mermaid-K was chosen for an advanced mooring installation intended to support visiting vessels and increase available mooring space with attention to environmental and local economic factors.
Another installation was completed at Stanley Harbour in the Falkland Islands, where the system supports vessels operating in the waters of the Southern Ocean.
In St. Catherine’s Bay in Jersey, Mermaid-K was set up to operate in an area where tidal movement can reach up to 12 metres. Two moorings were also installed at Seaview on the Isle of Wight within a seagrass meadow, where the configuration allows vessels to moor with minimal disturbance to the seabed.
Mermaid-K is designed to handle high loads, which may help with transport and installation. Its modular structure allows the system to be arranged according to site requirements, and components can be installed using standard offshore equipment.
Materials and structural design were selected to help the system withstand fatigue and corrosion in marine conditions, which may extend service life and reduce maintenance needs. Environmental considerations were also included in the design, such as efficient use of materials, longer service life and the option to recover certain components at the end of use.
Nick Burton of Blue Parameters said: “With Mermaid-K, our objective was to develop a mooring system that addresses current technical requirements while supporting long-term operational and environmental considerations. Early installations have provided valuable operational feedback across a range of conditions.”
Images courtesy of Blue Parameters.
