There are various types of marine fenders which have emerged over the years and which provide excellent utility in the area of water transportation. The wide variety of marine fenders ensures that sufficient options are provided so as to enable a person or an authority to choose the best possible fender system or marine fender.
During its voyage, a vessel has to approach port for loading and unloading of crew and commodities and to other vessel for supplying and accepting certain commodities; in these cases there are definite chances of collision and during collision huge amount of energy is transferred which causes fatality to its crew and damage to vessel itself, port and commodities. Marine fenders prevent either the head or hull of a vessel to collide with any other water body. The certain features for which a port authority has to look after before buying the marine fenders are briefed as follows:
i) These marine bumpers should be made up of high performance materials which require no or little maintenance.
ii) These are to be designed in such a way that they can serve all the working demands for which these are deployed.
iii) These marine fenders should be capable of serving to all their commitments in all prevailing environmental conditions.
iv) The marine fenders should be durable i.e. they are so designed and developed so as to serve a longer period of time.
Categorizations Of Marine Fenders
Marine Fenders can be categorized in different types on the basis of location where these are fitted and material they are made up of.
The different sorts of marine bumpers available in the market as per the material they are made up of are as follows:
1. Rubber Fenders
2. Foam Fenders
3. Composite Fenders