BRISTOL – Naval architecture and marine engineering firm Bristol Harbor Group was contracted to review and analyze a Canadian Coast Guard buoy by the New York Power Authority, the firm announced.
With the authority’s fast-water warning buoys ready for replacement, the Canadian buoys were reviewed for required internal ballast and mooring so they can be secured in tailrace waters, Bristol Harbor Group said.
The tailrace is a channel carrying water away from a hydroelectric plant or water wheel.
As part of its research, Bristol Harbor Group visited the Moses-Saunders Power Dam in Massena, N.Y., to inspect tailrace buoys there, gathering data and discussing design development with NYPA engineers.
Bristol Harbor Group produced a new tailrace buoy design, using some details of the Canadian Coast Guard buoy, it said. Changes include reoriented battery boxes, ballast compartments, a taller tower for a more-visible warning sign and light, and an improved mooring system allowing the buoy to self-deploy with just NYPA small-boat support.
Susan Shalhoub is a PBN contributing writer.
