Delivering Robust and Reliable Lighting to Grimsby Docks

Located at the entrance to the Port of Grimsby, this project focused on delivering a robust and reliable lighting solution for two pilot transfer towers. These structures are critical for Humber Pilots as they embark and disembark vessels navigating the Humber Estuary.

Commissioned by Humber Workboats on behalf of Associated British Ports, and delivered by Townsend Electrical, the project required full illumination across all tower levels, including access gantries, platforms, and stairways. As a new-build installation, the solution needed to meet the demanding requirements of a harsh marine environment from day one.

Challenges

The project presented several environmental and operational challenges:

Tidal conditions: In the Humber Estuary, the lower decks of the towers are regularly submerged at high tide.

Remote illumination requirements: These were necessary to ensure visibility even in underwater or difficult to access.

Corrosive marine environment: This demanded lighting fixtures that could withstand exposure to saltwater and harsh weather without degradation.

Precise light control: This was needed to ensure safety whilst minimising unnecessary light spill into surrounding areas.

Solutions

To address these challenges, Raytec’s WARRIOR Industrial lighting fixtures were selected for their durability, flexibility, performance, and intelligent emergency capabilities. The products used were:

3 x WARRIOR Bulkhead BL24 – These Emergency fittings were installed beneath the access to the gantry and the quay wall, to light lower levels and stairwells and provide focused illumination for the lowest platform.

3 x WARRIOR Linear WL84 – These emergency fittings were mounted on the main access to the gantry and used to illuminate the top two platforms.

To combat the challenging tidal conditions and regular exposure to harsh marine environments, the selected fixtures from Raytec’s WARRIOR range feature a robust design constructed from marine grade aluminium. Engineered specifically for offshore use, these luminaires are rated to both IP66 and IP67 standards, enabling them to withstand powerful water jets and high levels of moisture ingress. This ensures reliable operation even in extreme wet conditions.

At Raytec, our WARRIOR range is designed with offshore use in mind. Manufactured using marine-grade aluminium and stainless-steel fixings, and holding ABS approval to marine standards, these luminaires are ideally suited for demanding marine applications. This combination of materials and certification ensures long-term durability and resistance to the challenges of corrosive saltwater environments.

For remote illumination requirements, the WARRIOR range delivers consistent and reliable output across all levels of the towers. This ensures that even hard-to-access or temporarily submerged areas remain visible when required, supporting safe navigation regardless of tidal state.

In addition, Intelligent Emergency lighting has been incorporated to ensure continued visibility in the event of power failure or system disruption. This is particularly critical in offshore and tidal environments, where safe egress and navigation must be maintained at all times.

Addressing the need for precise light control, Raytec’s WARRIOR range offers a variety of beam angles that allow light to be directed exactly where it is needed. This targeted illumination reduces light spill into surrounding areas, improves visibility on critical walkways and platforms, and enhances overall safety whilst minimising energy wastage.

As soon as I saw the new Pilot landings on my first visit in the harsh riverside environment of the Humber estuary, I realised that there was only one possible option as a manufacturer to offer a long-term solution, it was Raytec. Having used Raytec fittings wherever possible, I was confident a solution could be found to light the multiple deck levels that are submerged depending upon the tide state between us. Over the years F.R Townsend have installed hundreds of various Raytec fittings in many varied environments and have never had a failure, and the big bonus for me is that they are a UK Manufacturer.

Jeremy Wright, Townsend Electrical

Why Raytec?

Raytec was chosen based on its proven track record in demanding, hazardous environments.

Proven reliability and build quality, with previous successful use of Raytec SPARTAN products by the contractor.
Product flexibility, allowing tailored solutions for complex lighting requirements.
Fast delivery, supporting project timelines and installation schedules was key for the Project Manager.
Lighting Design: Raytec’s free, award-winning Lighting Design service was used to select the most suitable lighting solution, enabling the contractor to visualise the final installation before any equipment was installed. Using advanced lighting simulation software, Raytec engineers created a detailed 3D lighting design that demonstrated exactly how the installation would perform.

Raytec’s adaptable optics and power configurations enabled effective remote lighting of submerged and hard-to-reach areas. The result was a system that delivered excellent visibility across all levels whilst maintaining tight control over light distribution.

About Townsend Electrical

Townsend is a long-established, multi-disciplinary contracting company founded in 1947, and has grown into one of the region’s leading providers of electrical, instrumentation and mechanical services.

With a skilled team delivering across industrial, commercial and public sectors, the company also has extensive expertise in facilities maintenance and management. Supporting thousands of properties nationwide, Townsend offers a comprehensive range of services, from specialist design and installation to ongoing maintenance and support.