Known for high-performance marine lighting systems in the luxury yacht sector, Exposure Marine’s latest lighting upgrade has equipped the Heesen G3, a 44-metre luxury motor yacht built in 2008, with a system that enhances both operational performance and aesthetic appeal.
Originally fitted with lights more suited for swimming pools than open-water marine conditions, the G3’s underwater halogen-based lighting system faced persistent issues due to outdated technology and structural weaknesses. As well as regularly blowing out and requiring frequent replacements, low durability led to dim illumination. The original lights were held in place by only two screws within Delrin surrounds, so often dislodged to leave light housings lost at sea. Even after downgrading to 250W bulbs, the system required replacements every 4-6 months and failed to provide the brightness required for clear underwater visibility.
A custom solution for marine conditions
To overcome these challenges, Exposure Marine designed and manufactured a full upgrade solution within four months to align with the yacht’s refit schedule. The EM-UWRIO-CUST LED underwater lights were custom-designed to fit into the yacht’s existing mounts without requiring any hull modifications. The new lighting system brings a number of operational and aesthetic benefits to this luxury yacht:
- Brighter illumination – with a 25,000-lumen output, underwater visibility is significantly improved and a striking visual effect is achieved when the yacht is at anchor or moving at night.
- Increased durability – featuring IP68 water ingress protection and marine-grade anodised aluminium casings, the new lights are now built to withstand the harshest marine environments, ensuring reliability even during extended voyages
- Energy efficiency – the LED system requires significantly less power compared to halogen bulbs, reducing overall energy consumption onboard and contribution to better fuel efficiency
- Secure mounting: the new mounting system, combined with waterproof cabling, provides a secure, vibration-resistant installation, ensuring the lights remain safely in place, even during long journeys.
Key additional components included power transformers for each light, reinforced submersible cable to ensure waterproof, robust connections between the above and below-water systems. Each LED unit is mounted on Teflon/nylon plates, securely attached to the yacht’s aluminium hull and designed to handle the demands of high-speed travel and turbulent marine conditions.
Maintenance-friendly design minimises downtime
The Exposure Marine underwater lighting system is robust and designed for easy maintenance, allowing each light to be removed and serviced out of the water without disrupting the yacht’s schedule. This maintenance-friendly design reduces downtime and improves the overall operational efficiency of the vessel.
The yacht’s Captain said, “The new EM-UWR10-CUST LED underwater lights are a true game-changer. Exposure Marine provided us with a solution that’s not only brighter and more durable but also beautifully engineered and flawlessly manufactured. Delivered on time and within budget, these lights redefine our guests’ nighttime experience on the water. The energy efficiency is a welcome improvement, and the secure mounting offers real peace of mind. Exposure Marine understood our vision—and they delivered.”