Comparative Assessment of U.S. and Foreign Buoy Tenders

Abstract

The paper reports the results of a comparative study of seven modern foreign buoy tenders and two older U.S. buoy tenders that was conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard as part of its current project to replace its older medium size (WLM) and large seagoing (WLB) buoy tenders. As part of the assessment, the authors visited the foreign ships to observe them conducting buoy tending operations, to review engineering design data, and to discuss buoy tender design, technology and operations with the cognizant operating authorities. The buoy tenders included the Canadian 4,800‐ton Type 1100 and 2,800‐ton Type 1050, the British 2,900‐ton Mermaid, the Swedish 1,200‐ton Baltica, the Norwegian 1,100‐ton Skomvaer, the Dutch 700‐ton Rotterdam, and the Italian 600‐ton MIF. The U.S. buoy tenders included the Coast Guard 470‐ton, 157‐foot WLM and 1,000‐ton, 180‐foot WLB (SLEP), which were also visited and included in the study for comparative purposes. The study's objectives were to identify design practices and technology incorporated in the foreign buoy tenders that the U.S. Coast Guard could adapt in designing future buoy tenders and to determine if any foreign buoy tender design meets the Coast Guard requirements for WLB and WLM replacements. The design characteristics, technology, and unique features of each buoy tender are described and compared. Lessons learned from the study which could be beneficial in the design of future Coast Guard buoy tenders are identified. Finally, the capabilities of the foreign buoy tenders are assessed in relation to current Coast Guard requirements.