Based in Inverness, Scotland, Gael Force Group has launched its SeaLimpet floating gravity-based mooring device for the subsea and renewables sectors and completed its first contract.
The SeaLimpet is a cylindrical concrete structure with specially configured in-built chambers that can be flooded with water or evacuated using compressed air, allowing it to be towed, floating, into position and then flooded to sink under controlled conditions. The SeaLimpet accurately secures wind, wave and subsea installations to the seabed and can be floated into position using non-specialist vessels, avoiding the need for heavy transportation ships and cranes.
The first contract for Gael Force was secured with New Jersey-based renewable energy company Ocean Power Technologies (OPT), which commissioned an initial three 460-tonne SeaLimpets for the deployment of its PowerBuoy wave energy device. The SeaLimpets have been delivered ready for use by OPT off the coast of Oregon, USA.
The initial concept for the SeaLimpet came from feasibility work completed by Gael Force for an in-house marine renewable energy project and drew on the company's experience in mooring heavy-displacement marine structures in the aquaculture industry. However, Gael Force soon realised the potential that existed for the device in more general marine and oil and gas subsea sectors and is currently developing adaptations of the SeaLimpet for a variety of off-shore engineering projects.
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