Underbuoy Breakaway Couplings
Gall Thomson is recognised as a global authority when it comes to the design, supply and application of Marine Breakaway Couplings (abbreviated as MBC). Their range of products has set the benchmark for performance reliability and it is the industry standard among the most demanding of environments and applications.
Gall Thomson?s recently launched range of Underbuoy Breakaway Couplings (or UBCs) has been developed for protecting terminals that use Single Point Mooring (SPM) from the possible hazards of extreme weather events or vessel collision. This Marine Breakaway Couplings facilitates the safe transfer of both hazardous and non-hazardous gases and liquids, dramatically cutting down on the risk of spillage.
How do Underboy Breakway Couplings Work?
The Underbuoy Breakaway Coupling has been designed so that it activates whenever excessive strain gets placed on the hose transfer system. It then shuts down the media flow and detaches the hose string. The UnderBuoy Breakaway Couplings activation could be triggered by vessel collision or extremities of weather such as a hurricane or tsunami.
This outcome of such an event could be asset damage, personal injury or a major offshore oil spill. Other negative effects could be costly clean-up costs, extended downtime and a reputation that is damaged.
Benefits of Underbuoy Breakway Couplings
Camlock Couplings range from Gall Thomson range also presents a safer and much quicker solution to the more conventional methods of breaking and making hose connections.
1. Safe Shutdown When It Matters
The Gall Thomson MBC provides a clear identifiable safe parting point within marine hose transfer systems. This is by automatically shutting off the flow of the product and preventing further damage to the system in case of a powerful surge in pressure or excess tensile load being placed on the entire hose system.
2. Minimising the risk of spills
Oil spills happening offshore can greatly delay the delivery of contract cargo and significantly increase the cost of the project. Physical damage to assets results in costly longer downtime and costly oils spillage clean-up operations.
3. Reduces Personal Injury
There are several potential short and long consequences of personnel injury such as litigation and investor costs which could greatly compromise business performance. Employing a Gall Thomson MBC reduces such risk and demonstrates that proven engineering solutions have been put into place to prevent pollution and enhance terminal safety.
Other Benefits include:
- Maximises terminal integrity
- Reduced insurance premiums
- Averts negative media attention
- Boosts employee morale because of safety levels.
The Underbuoy Breakaway Couplings is accessible with either Gall Thomson Flip-Flap or Petal Valve technology, which both utilise the proven Gall Thomson MBC range technology. The UBC range launch forms part of a wide-ranging programme of investment that has been designed to consolidate and substantially increase Gall Thomson’s commercial and technical market-leading global position.
