In 2016-2017, the Canadian Coast Guard has tested Ice Buoy Lanterns of various manufacturers and defined only two types of lanterns completely meeting its requirements. One of them is BEPA-10LX manufactured by Russian company Technomarine JSC.
The batch of BEPA-10LX lanterns procured by the Canadian Coast Guard from Technomarine JSC within the frame of Four-Season Lighted Navigation Buoys (4SB) Project was installed in 2016 on the Saint Lawrence River, Quebec Province, for annual testing.
The Saint Lawrence River connects the Great Lakes of Northern America with Atlantic Ocean and is distinguished by extremely rough flow and ice hummocks up to 6-9 meters.
The lanterns for installation on ice buoys relate to one of the most complicated classes of visual aids to navigation. Optical system and electronics shall withstand extreme environmental conditions, tens tons of ice pressure, 100g ice shocks and stay in water under ice for a long time.
Ice lanterns shall have remote control, energy savings system to switch off the lantern, when submerging underwater, freezing, and inclining. The lanterns shall ensure operation on one battery pack without maintenance up to 2 years.
4SB program will be realized in 2018-2021.
BEPA-10LX lanterns on the St.Lawrence River