New mooring system will benefit local marine environment

Wednesday 09 March 2022

Guernsey’s marine environment will benefit from a new advanced mooring system.

Guernsey-based marine consultancy business Blue Parameters has signed a UK and Channel Island Partnership agreement with a sustainable mooring system company, Seaflex.

Blue Parameters Director, Simon de la Rue, said the new mooring system would remove the need for a chain to fix a buoy or swinging mooring to the sea bed.

“An alternative method of connection would be used which prevents, at different states of the tide, the chain from dragging along the seabed destroying habitats of local marine life,” he said.

“This is a significant step in protecting the local marine environment and ultimately the abundance, protection and increased biodiversity of habitats by sustaining the ecosystem for local species.”

Pictured: The advanced Seaflex mooring system will benefit local marine wildlife.

The technology can also be used for floating offshore solar platforms and marine restoration projects.

“Seaflex technology has successfully been deployed over decades and represents another tool protecting the environment in not only our surrounding waters but marinas as an alternative to piles,” said Mr de la Rue.

“Any interaction that we have with the marine world should be sympathetic to the needs of the species that live there.

"We often see our marinas as almost industrial and commercial spaces, but moving forward there needs to be a balance.”

Pictured: The new mooring system would eliminate the need for a chain on a buoy.

Seaflex President and Chief Executive Officer Lars Brandt said the Swedish based company had been installing the new systems since 1975.

“We’re delighted to announce our partnership with Blue Parameters. With their expertise and experience in the marine and sustainability sectors this can focus on not only the practical implementation of our systems but the environmental benefits as well,” he said.