International Boat Industry - December 2015

http://www.ibi-plus.com International Boat Industry | DECEMBER 2015 67

TECHNICAL

SECTOR SPOTLIGHT | BOAT LIGHTING

http://www.ibi-plus.com International Boat Industry | DECEMBER 2015 67

INDUSTRY CHALLENGES

He also points out inconsistencies in

certification requirements that could pose

problems: “For underwater lighting we

had to obtain a new class certification

for the LED technology. We retained the

same thru-hull fittings, but added the LED

technology, so essentially the change was

only a lamp. But for interior and exterior

applications, a CE or UL certificate would

be applicable and would require testing

and approval.”

Looking ahead, Ian MacDonald

sees new technologies emerging

and being taken up. “O-LED and

induction lighting (electrode-less

gas discharge lamps in which the

power required to generate light

is transferred from outside the

lamp envelope to the gas inside

via an electric or magnetic field)

are rapidly developing so for some

applications they could

be ready for the market

in a couple of years,” he

predicts.

“Today everything

can be replaced with LED

applications,” says Stefan

Wienecke, president of

German manufacturer

Yachtlite. “We see the LED

market as a steadily and

annually ever-increasing

one. This is facilitated by

the diversity of possibilities offered by

LED technology.”

Asked whether he foresees

consolidation in the expanding LED yacht

lighting sector, Wienecke responds: “Here

it is necessary to differentiate. In the

series products sector (for example simple

light sources and replacement products) a

consolidation of the market will certainly

take place. In the custom-made area (to

which Yachtlite belongs) on the other

hand, I do not foresee that. This is where

the challenges continue to grow. The

need for creative solutions will further

increase. Any possible consolidation will

remain to be seen.”

As for the custom-made area, says

Wienecke, “We can only speak for

ourselves. We at Yachtlite invest in the

further development of technology and

opportunities. We keep our ear to the

ground. We readily accept the challenges

of implementing the unprecedented to

become illuminating reality and thus also

expand our credibility.”

QUALITY CONTROL

Wienecke notes that one problem is LED

companies shooting out of the ground like

fungi. “It’s often all about quick money or

the participation in the market,”

he says adding “The question

is whether the necessary

background for LED technology

is existent, or even whether

the reputation of LED lighting

could suffer because of poor

workmanship. The entire image

of the lighting industry can be

adversely affected by ‘crazy’ or

inferior products”.

Yachtlite’s president

also notes that the

greatest challenge

arises from the variety

of options and the

control, programming,

networking and

synchronization of light

modes and light effects.

And that is exactly what

the market wants and

is searching for. |This

results in also changing the

requisites for, for example, the shipyards

and also the crews, to

adequately master this

‘new’ light. A simple

ON/OFF switch is a

thing of the past,” he

maintains.

Instead, he believes,

“It is important to

apply intelligent

control. Further

prerequisites are also

the corresponding programming. And

not to forget the planner who designed

the entire lighting system. If the first

mistakes are made here, no amount of

programming and control can help. For

example, too much or too little light

will emerge and the LED lifetime will be

impaired. The use of high quality products

as well as a high quality planning service

should be absolutely mandatory.”

For custom-lighting companies, says

Wienecke, “ultimately, every decision

you make depends on what the customer

wants at which location on the vessel.

That is why lighting consulting and

lighting design are imperative in advance.

The variety and possibilities are so

extensive that the lighting concept must

be worked out at an early stage. A missing

bus line may later prove to be disaster.

“Also, the structural requirements

need to be considered and clarified in

good time. All other decisions arise from

the lighting design, so there is no general

answer. The crucial factor is the planning.”

MORE TO COME

For a final comment on the state of play

in the marine lighting sector, Carl Amor,

director of Australian manufacturer

Aqualuma, one of the three largest players

in the international underwater lighting

sector, confirms that, beyond question,

“The most significant advancement (in

marine lighting) has been the rapid

growth of LED technology, allowing

huge improvements to light output and

durability”.

For the boating industry, international

regulation to drive producers of all

types of lighting towards more efficient

technologies, he believes, “will have little

effect as most of the smart OEM builders

are already looking at

LED, although if they

have not already made

the switch then I guess it

will force them to do so.”

He adds: “While it

seems that there has

been a slow take-up by

OEMs as the cost for a

good LED fitting is higher

than conventional,

I think they are beginning to see the

long-term benefit. The cost has come

back to a degree, but this is a fast-moving

technology so to have the most efficient

and the best fitting is still going to be a

little higher.”

Few would seem to disagree.

The use of high

quality products

as well as a high

quality planning

service should

be absolutely

mandatory

SStefan

Wienecke

SYachtlite XR1