Do you know what safely helps in the berthing process of ships? They are the different types of fenders that not only absorb the collision but also help in several accidents occurring in marine.
One of the best types coming up on the top is the pneumatic Fender. But they have another Yokohama fender. Today, we will understand why we call it the Yokohama Fenders and where it comes from initially.
Let’s have a detailed discussion!
Have you ever wondered what people used for protection during a collision? Were there Yokohama marine fenders in the beginning or not?
The simple answer is no. Before World War 2. pneumatic fenders for ships were not known. People used to collect the whale skin. especially in Japan, and used it to absorb the collision energy .
Guess what? It was very effective in protecting during a collision. But grabbing the whale carcass was a hectic task. In Japan, it was done for hunting purposes. Therefore, the carcass concept also came from Japan.
But there were many problems with the whale carcass.
The Western world continuously struggled to find a better and more reliable solution. Then came the Yokohama fenders.
When were the floating pneumatic rubber fenders introduced? It was 1958 when the Yokohama Rubber Company From Tokyo, Japan, developed fenders.
But there was a big problem with the size. If the company had to make it full of rubber, it would require a handsome quantity of rubber that was difficult to achieve and expensive. So, everyone couldn’t afford it. After a thorough research, they came up with the pneumatic technology.
It was an air-filled cylindrical ball of rubber used to compress and absorb all the collision energy. Over time, the company has improved its pneumatic filling and provided users an affordable option.
To generalize using the Yokohama Fender, ISO issued the certifications to reliable manufacturers. Today, we find the use of a Yokohama Pneumatic Fender everywhere.
That is an exciting question flashing through people’s minds. But do you know the first manufacturer? It was the Yokohama rubber company. They introduced it as the Yokohama Fender. We call it pneumatic since it has a high-pressure air filled in the material.
That is how the name came from Japan. Now, there are many manufacturers around the globe producing high-quality fenders.
1958 was just the beginning of a new era of the rubber fenders. Today, the pneumatic rubber fender Yokohama stands out as a valuable safety tool that must be available on every shore and boat.
From the 1950s to the 2020s, Yokohama pneumatic fenders have come a long way, spreading worldwide. They are critical tools in ship-to-ship or ship-to-berth applications and help in safety.
Nowadays, on every port, you can find such fenders. Plus, the improving technology has boosted its performance with the new tactics.
Yes. One hundred percent. If you want to ensure the safety of your boats in various applications, look no further than the Yokohama fenders. They have multiple advantages regarding the price, maintenance, and berthing. Let’s know!
Inclined berthing is a crucial phenomenon that increases the hassle of the work. In the bergting, first contact is often at 45 degrees. It exerts impact on the dock and boat.
Solid fenders fail at this point due to inclined compression in this part that does not offer a lot of energy to absorb during the berthing phase. Compared to pneumatic fenders, pneumatic fenders contain high-pressure air ready to undertake the high compression force generated during inclined berthing.
It shifts most of the pressure to its body and prevents damage during berthing. The primary role has been beneficial in this case.
Contact of the boat with the dock does not mean it has been moored. The slow movement puts a shearing force. Solid fenders could be more effective in such a scenario.
Pneumatic fenders have a high strength to absorb shearing force and help in the mooring process. You are more than safe with the pneumatic fenders.
Whatever season is around or even when heavy tides are in the ocean, Yokohama fenders still work. They can perform at -50 degrees Celsius. It is impressive when you can use it in every situation and get the best performance.
In harsh environments, they are suitable due to their strength, whereas a solid fender will only help a little.
Aging is a standard process not only for living things but also for non-living matters such as rubbers. That is why a solid rubber fender starts losing performance after years of work due to energy absorption.
Don’t worry about the performance losses in the Yokohama floating fenders. They don’t lose strength, all thanks to the air filled in them. Whenever you think they are not optimally performing, consider the air-filling and a bit of maintenance. All this will ensure a quick return to the previous performance you expect from a fender.
If you are an amateur, you can install the Yokohama Fenders. They are easy to install because of their lightweight and easy-to-understand mechanisms.
Moreover, they are easy to transfer from one place to another.
Do you know the best thing about the pneumatic fenders? They are super cheap. Why? Because of the high pressure, that is almost free. There needs to be more use of the rubber. Therefore, the overall cost of the pneumatic fenders is significantly less compared to the same variety of the solid fenders.
One more thing — you do not have to maintain it daily. For maintenance, you can monitor the pressurized air and external look. It will lose strength and tone when air goes out. Monthly or yearly maintenance also saves you some bucks, making it worthwhile.
Yokohama fenders have diverse applications in various industries. Take a quick review of the different applications of Yokohama fenders.
During the journey on the ocean, ships have to transfer containers or some other tools from one ship to another. To build a connection, both ships have to come close and get connected. It can be a risky task because waves of water produce motion and collision forces.
Yokohama fenders provide the necessary cushion and absorb all the force. It results in various offshore operations from one ship to another.
Ship berthing is a complex process. Whether it is permanent or temporary berthing, the process generates a lot of risks for damage to the ships. When a boat is near the berthing place, it might need an inclined berth force.
Yokohama fenders stand out as the sole and loyal helper in this case. They ease up the whole berthing process and optimize the health of the boats.
Do you know how oil transfer occurs from one country to another? Air transport is not an effective method because of various ignition risks. Sea transport is a fantastic and affordable option.
Yokohama fenders help ensure transport safety by supporting the oil ca. There is no problem when Yokohama fenders are there in case of berthing or collisions.
Even if you want a temporary installation of the fenders on the berth places, Yokohama fenders enable it—easy-to-transport features and compact design save time and help in the quick installation.
Many places around the ships and ports need regular replacements and temporary installations. Pneumatic fenders are preferred to solid fenders at such places.
Whether it is a collision between the two boats or a collision at the landing site between the ship and the landing place, Yokohama fenders have practical uses. High power absorption features ensure their long-lasting use in this industry.
Exploring a top-quality marine fender is an upper-edge choice for your boats. You’ll get a long-lasting solution without much worry about the fenders.