Over 30+ years refining our underwater lights

As the business had grown over the years it was realised that a new machining, testing and assembly plant would be required to keep up with the growing demand for their products. The team at Underwater Lights use Auto-cad and have also been fully trained in the use of Rhino, the latest 3D module used by designers and naval architects working on new projects. This enables the design for a new lights placement to be inserted directly onto Rhino to reveal the beam pattern
of the light.

This year has also seen the launch of the new EXD underwater light and the implementation of ISO9001 that guarantees clients the best of quality and service. The purchase of a fourth Mazak CNC turning machine also means they can keep up with the increasing demand for retro fit units with almost immediate supply.

The story of Underwater Lights began back in 1991 when founder and M.D. Peter Urquhart designed the Original underwater light. His experience as a Chief Marine Engineer (1966-1976) drove him to gain his 1st. Class Steam and Motor Certificate, giving him in-depth knowledge of ship building materials, naval architecture, thermo-dynamics and electrical engineering. Later he became a Lloyds Registered surveyor, which gave him the insight and understanding of Rules and Regulations for ships and special craft. All very useful for the design and installation procedures for
his lights.

The very first underwater light was called the BULLEYT and used a 150 watt metal halide lamp. Over time minor changes were made to improve thermal and light output efficiency and in 2005 a 250 watt metal halide lamp in the BULLEYT was tested and it was found that the extra power and lumen output (19,000) did not work and deteriorated the overall efficiency. Basically, the diameter of the glass lens (62.5mm) was too small and too much heat was being generated.
This led to an increase in lens diameter to 75mm and the insert diameter from 100mm to 120mm. These increases in size had to be made to the screwed version installed in composite hulls. These lights were known as the ULTiMATE range. The company began using LED’s and 2010 saw the launch of the QTLED range and retro fitting
the old bulb system to LED began. The key to developing new products is to ensure that the older generation of BULLEYT and ULTiMATE can be upgraded with ease. The aim is to always keep the same threads and internal sizes to allow clients to upgrade their units without hauling the boat.

32 years on and Underwater Lights Ltd. developed the QTS range which is arguably the most versatile and complete underwater light ever made for the marine industry. Designed in the simplest format possible the lights now accommodate a variety of light power outputs, colour options and input powers making them suitable for any boat from 20m up to the largest superyachts.

The through hull QTS-100 & QT-80-Ti is uniquely made from Titanium and can be used directly on metal hulls, subject to surveyor approval, as well as carbon fibre and composite/fiberglass hulls saving yards and installers hours, if not days, on installation and potential warranty concerns through galvanic corrosion.

The QTS-75 weldin/cofferdam is machined from 316L stainless steel or 5083 aluminium which is Lloyds 3.2 certificated. Fitted with a toughened flat lens the LED beam angle is 100 degrees , perfect for running down the side of a yacht as well as along the stern. Available in low and high powers up to 25,000 lumens in blue, white and RGB+W. This light also includes an internal ball adjustment for the LED which allows a universal 20 degree beam adjustment. A QTE140 is now in development, derived from the QTS-75 it has an insert diameter of 140mm which will allow for further beam adjustment and a wider beam angle that will punch more light into the ocean.

Underwater Lights Ltd. also understand that some of their first boats, which still have the metal halide units installed, don’t want to upgrade to LED ‘as they still work’. They can still service these units with original parts such as O-rings, gaskets, lamp holders etc but the 150watt ballast and Philips MSD 150watt lamp have now been discontinued and they have very limited stock left after buying up all that they could. This has led them to encourage boats with the
old metal halide system to upgrade to LED in the future.

They are now busier than ever, retrofitting all of their previous bulb projects with LED simply by removing the existing projector and ballast and replacing with the new LED projector and drivers – all possible whilst the boat is still in the water using the existing weldins. The underwater light for composite hulls you just remove the internal parts and replace with the LED heat sink which have integral driver for D.C power and remote for the high powered LED. The original hull fitting can be used and the installation can be carried out by the engineers onboard without drydocking the yacht Underwater Lights Ltd. can also upgrade many of their competitor products. Captains often contact them to replace an existing, third party, system with their LED lights having used them on a previous boat with minimal issues, with 100% customer satisfaction and service. You can be assured that our service for maintaining the lights will continue for as long as the yacht is in service.

It is worth mentioning the importance of the classification societies and MCA. The detail required for class type approval has significantly increased in recent years. Structural drawings, electrical and mechanical test reports, workshop approval, and installation information are just some of the onerous benchmarks now required. Attending class surveyors always have the final say when it is a ‘Classed’ vessel, however, the flag of registration and their surveyors can have a say in all matters of construction and safety aspects and decide what is fit for purpose.