For a contract providing all-round security for the Malta Shipyards, electronic security distributor Norbain SD has supplied equipment to local installer Alberta.
During the 1970s, the shipyard was gradually developed into a fully commercial ship repair yard under Maltese management. Today, the shipyards offer modern facilities capable of docking 94pc of the world’s fleet and 99.6pc of ships trading in the Mediterranean. The docks also include seven graving docks ranging from 170m all the way to 360m. The yard is being upgraded to respond to the requirements of modern owners and operators of some of the world’s finest pleasure craft. The facilities, which employ 1900 people, can cater for anything from minor to emergency repairs and extensive refits on steel, aluminium, timber and GRP vessels. Because of the high value of the vessels and docks equipment, security has been an important consideration.
Alberta was given one week for the entire installation process. In that time the company installed 6,000m of co-axial cable, both RG-59 and RG-11, and more than 3000m of mains cable. Cables were run through galvanised metal conduits or flexible metal conduits for maximum protection from the corrosive atmosphere. In all, over 2500m of metal conduit was used throughout the entire installation. With a workforce of six installers, the project began on a Friday and was successfully completed in six working days.
Just one day before all the cabling was in place, the security equipment was brought in for installation under the supervision of Karim Cassar, who directed a team of three technicians.
What they say
"The systems had been designed to give total security to the shipyards and for this reason we installed fixed cameras in order to give a complete general view of the area and dome cameras to zoom in on any unusual activity," explains Alberta Marketing Executive Duncan Barbaro Sant. With two days to go on the contract, Alberta installed 15 VPC9132C/M high resolution colour / mono cameras, from the Vista Protos range, 10 BH-69 Power Amplifiers and three Vista Power Domes, linked to two Vista VC16Ts-320 Triplex DVR’s and Vista PVD1550DGE colour monitors. All of the fixed cameras have been housed in Vista VCMH housings to protect them from the surrounding sea environment, suited to this role since they are marine finished as standard, according to the distributor. Various direct drive lenses have also been used, ranging from 2.8mm to 8mm, depending on the general view required. The power amplifiers were added to eliminate picture loss as a long distance surveillance capability was needed due to the considerable size of the dry dock. The job was completed in seven days with all equipment installed and commissioned to the client’s expectations. Mr Barbaro Sant says: "The contract provided a considerable and very interesting challenge, which Alberta has been able to meet by utilising a combination of high-quality equipment from Norbain and the valuable expertise of its own staff."
Six months after the above project was awarded to Alberta, the client awarded Alberta another 16 VPC9132CM cameras and another four Power Domes. These works were carried out in different locations one of which is The Manoel Island Yacht Yard. This yard offers seven slipways with a total displacement of 450 tons. For more information, visit www.alberta.com.mt
