Introduced by the German Government in November 2014, the Sonne research vessel is 116m long by 20.6m wide and can accommodate up to 40 scientists and 32 crew members. The vessel was built to research Climate Change and various aspects of marine resources and ecosystems. The vessel was built by Meyer Werft, a leading innovative shipbuilder that is well known for its huge cruise ships.
Certified to DNV GL class, Sonne is illuminated using a wide range of lighting solutions from Glamox. Xenon searchlights are mounted on the highest points and are remote controlled from inside the ship using a control panel and joystick. The Xenon searchlights are compact, lightweight, easy to mount and offer a long operating life. The searchlights are designed for marine vessels with a high demand for light output or that operate in harsh winter conditions such as tugs, icebreakers and offshore supply vessels.
Due to the higher vibrations present, the engine rooms on Sonne are fitted with special vibration-resistant lighting from Glamox. Interior rooms such as cabins and bridge are illuminated using modern, recessed ceiling lights. Special luminaires are installed in freezing/cold rooms onboard the ship. Also, as the ocean is often very rough, outdoor lighting has a high degree of protection from seawater.
“It is an honour for us to provide lighting solutions for such a special ship,” commented Jörg Koch-Losekamm, Managing Director of Glamox Aqua Signal GmbH, Bremen, Germany.