Made in Louisiana | Manufacturer Direct Since 1999
The BL-620 is a standard U.S. Coast Guard steel buoy designed for rivers, estuaries, and moderately exposed open seas. The BL-620 maximizes the focal height and visual range of the light relative to the diameter of the buoy. It is designed to translate wave action into vertical movements and to minimize rocking motions of the buoy. Our BL 620 buoys have two chambers, so no foam is needed.
Wet Tech Energy builds the BL 620 regulatory lighted sound buoy in our own fab shop in Maurice, Louisiana. It is a 6 x 20 steel buoy: 6 ft in diameter, 20 ft long overall, with a 10 ft focal height, 5,000 lb of buoyancy and a 6,500 lb shipping weight. We are the manufacturer, not a reseller, and we have been in business since 1999. We keep BL 620 buoys in stock, ship them worldwide, and can supply the lantern, horn, mooring and installation, so one company handles the whole job.
Call 337-893-9992 or email sales@wettechenergy.com
BL 620 Overview: A 6x20 USCG Steel Buoy
The BL 620 is sized for water where a small buoy would be hard to see but a large ocean buoy would be more than the job needs. Its 6 ft diameter hull and 20 ft overall length put the light 10 ft above the water, with 2.5 ft of freeboard. Typical uses include:
- Rivers and estuaries
- Moderately exposed open seas
- Marking subsea wells and marine hazards
- Regulatory and private aids to navigation that need both a light and a sound signal
BL 620 Features
- 2 lifting eyes and 2 mooring eyes: on the standard buoy
- Tower with built-in radar reflector is welded to the hull of the buoy.
- Conforms with U.S. Coast Guard standards: the standard BL 620 is built to USCG requirements
- Two sealed chambers, no foam: see why below
- Customizable systems: lanterns, power systems and other equipment, fitted to your site
Why Two Chambers and No Foam
Like all of our steel buoys, the BL 620 has a two-compartment steel hull, so no foam is needed. Only our poly buoys are foam filled. The 3/8 in steel hull and its chambers provide the 5,000 lb of buoyancy.
Light and Sound Options for the BL-620 Lighted Sound Buoy
Every BL 620 is built to carry a lantern and a sound signal on its welded tower. The lanterns, power systems and other equipment are customizable.
- Lanterns: Sabik M650H, WT-2NM SC or CR1100 Class C, or the lantern your spec calls for. See our navigational lights.
- Sound signal: USCG-approved sound signal horns with a 1/2 mile range. New horns are standard, and used refurbished horns are available upon request.
- Power: power systems are customized to the lantern and equipment on the buoy.
- Radar: the radar reflector is built into the tower.
Complete BL 620 Mooring Package
Complete mooring package: 8,000 lb Guardian anchor mooring system. We can quote the BL 620 on its own or with this complete package, ready to set on station:
- Anchor: an 8,000 lb Guardian anchor. See mooring anchors.
- Chain bridle: 1.25 in anchor chain with a 1.25 in swivel, plus anchor chain, shackles and hardware. See anchors and chain.
- Mooring depth: up to 500 ft maximum, depending on the mooring system.
- Mooring installation by our crews. See mooring installation and testing.
- Buoy deployment, recovery and maintenance. See buoy deployment and recovery and buoy maintenance.
- Rentals: rent a BL 620 and its mooring for a short-term job. See buoy rentals.
BL 620 Buoys in Stock, Shipped Worldwide
BL 620 steel buoys are built in our Louisiana fab shop and kept in stock. We ship them across the U.S. and internationally. One recent international order was 14 BL 620s painted yellow. Colors and paint are built to order, so tell us the color your authority or permit calls for. See our facilities and buoy manufacturing.
BL 620 Specifications
| BL 620 specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Model | BL 620 (also written BL-620, BL 6-20 or BL620) |
| Size | 6 ft x 20 ft (a 6x20 steel buoy) |
| Buoy diameter | 6 ft |
| Overall length | 20 ft |
| Focal height of light | 10 ft |
| Freeboard | 2.5 ft |
| Shipping weight | 6,500 lb |
| Buoyancy | 5,000 lb |
| Hull | Steel, two sealed chambers; not foam filled |
| Lifting and mooring eyes | 2 lifting eyes and 2 mooring eyes (standard buoy) |
| Tower | Tower with built-in radar reflector is welded to the hull of the buoy. |
| Radar reflector | Built into the tower |
| Standard | Conforms with U.S. Coast Guard standards (standard buoy) |
| Hull plate thickness | 3/8 in steel plate |
| Counterweight | 2,400 lb |
| Mooring depth | Up to 500 ft maximum, depending on the mooring system |
| Mooring package | Complete mooring package: 8,000 lb Guardian anchor mooring system |
| Chain bridle | 1.25 in anchor chain with 1.25 in swivel |
| Paint system | 4-coat paint system; colors built to order |
| Lanterns | Sabik M650H, WT-2NM SC or CR1100 Class C, or to your spec |
| Sound signal | USCG-approved horn, 1/2 mile range (new, or used and refurbished upon request) |
| Power system | Customized to the lantern and equipment on the buoy |
| Availability | In stock; buy or rent |
Weights are for the buoy without mooring or equipment.
BL 620 Buoy FAQ
What is a BL 620 buoy?
The BL 620 (also written BL-620 or BL 6-20) is a standard U.S. Coast Guard steel buoy designed for rivers, estuaries and moderately exposed open seas. It is a 6 x 20 buoy: 6 ft in diameter and 20 ft long overall, with a 10 ft focal height for the light. Wet Tech Energy builds it in Maurice, Louisiana, and fits it as a lighted sound buoy with a lantern and a horn.
How much does a BL 620 buoy weigh?
The BL 620 has a shipping weight of 6,500 lb and 5,000 lb of buoyancy. Weights for the lantern, horn, power system and mooring depend on the equipment you choose; we include them in your quote.
What mooring comes with a BL 620?
The BL 620 complete mooring package is an 8,000 lb Guardian anchor mooring system with a chain bridle of 1.25 in anchor chain and a 1.25 in swivel. We also supply anchor chain and hardware, our crews can install the mooring and set the buoy on station, and we handle deployment, recovery and maintenance.
How deep can a BL 620 be moored?
A BL 620 can be moored in water up to 500 ft deep maximum, depending on the mooring system. Tell us your water depth and site and we will match the mooring to it.
Is the BL-620 foam filled?
No. Our BL-620 buoys are built with two sealed chambers, so no foam is needed. All of our steel buoys use a two-compartment steel hull; only our poly buoys are foam filled.
What lights and sound signals go on a BL-620 lighted sound buoy?
We fit the Sabik M650H, WT-2NM SC or CR1100 Class C lantern, or the lantern your spec calls for, plus a USCG-approved sound signal horn with a 1/2 mile range. New horns are standard, and used refurbished horns are available upon request. Lanterns, power systems and other equipment are all customizable.
Does the BL 6-20 meet U.S. Coast Guard standards?
Yes. The standard BL 6-20 conforms with U.S. Coast Guard standards. It has 2 lifting eyes and 2 mooring eyes. The tower with built-in radar reflector is welded to the hull of the buoy.
Do you have BL 620 buoys in stock, and do you ship outside the U.S.?
Yes. We keep BL 620 buoys in stock and ship them across the U.S. and internationally, including a recent order of 14 BL 620s painted yellow. Each buoy gets a 4-coat paint system, and colors are built to order. Call 337-893-9992 or email sales@wettechenergy.com.
Buy or Rent a BL 620
Tell us where the buoy is going, the water depth, the light and sound signal you need, and whether you want to buy or rent. We will quote the BL 620 with the lantern, horn, anchor, chain and installation.
Call us or email us and let us know how we can assist.
Call 337-893-9992 or email sales@wettechenergy.com
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