Each DuraBrite product undergoes extensive testing and validation to ensure it performs flawlessly in extreme conditions, from high-pressure water jets to intense vibrations and temperature fluctuations. DuraBrite follows the same new product introduction (NPI) flow as other high-reliability military products.

Our partnership with DuraBrite is built on mutual respect and collaboration. At Silver Ships, we value precision and discernment in every aspect of our operations, which is why we selected DuraBrite. Their meticulous approach to design and engineering, rooted in thermal and electrical engineering expertise, ensures that even the smallest components meet rigorous standards.

An Introduction to Lighting in Marine Applications

The lights designed by DuraBrite are water and heat-resistant. Pressurized hoses and extreme temperatures will damage most lights, but well-designed water and heat-resistant lighting will continue to function optimally under these conditions. From its roots in electronics design, DuraBrite builds its lights for harsh environments including extremely high and low temperatures, saltwater environments, heavy downpours, exposure to high-pressure water jets, strong vibrations as well as steep drops. DuraBrite lights are designed to fit the particular solution of each customer. Each light installation is an engineered solution for each specific application.

Silver Ships’ Utilization of Scene Lighting Adaptability

DuraBrite lights have multiple modes including high, medium, low and strobe lighting. These various modes offer the flexibility needed to adapt to various scenarios with dual-mode light temps, spot-to-flood optics and color-changing options. The missions of Silver Ships vessels require different amounts of illumination. For example, the Coastal Fast Response Boat (CFRB), is designed to support law enforcement, fire departments, search and rescue organizations, first responders and personnel recovery missions.

The CFRB utilizes scene lighting to illuminate broad areas when first responders are working on a mission. Silver Ships equipped several CFRB fire boats with DuraBrite’s Mini-Series flood and spot Nano Stack lightbars that can change modes to highlight board areas and then focus on smaller areas with different modes depending on what the crew is trying to locate.

Vessel Spotlight: Silver Ships Coastal Fast Response Boat

Silver Ships has completed the construction and delivery of the first four CFRB vessels under a contract award worth $6.12 million from the Naval Sea Systems Command. The vessels were designed and constructed as a part of the U.S. Navy Foreign Military Sale (FMS) program and will benefit the NATO Navy, while the other three boats support a Central American Navy upon delivery. Each CFRB was inspected in Alabama and accepted by the Navy.

The seven custom-designed military CFRBs feature specialized communication and navigation equipment. A vital part of this communication and navigation equipment includes customized DuraBrite lights. The particular DuraBrite lights installed on the CFRB have adaptability between modes that will allow law enforcement and first responders to adapt crucial visibility in emergencies. For example, these situations often require bright and focused beams of light to help firefighters see clearly in dark or smoky areas. The Nano Stack lights installed on Silver Ships CFRBs provide both 20-degree optical beam patterns for distance and 80-degree beams for scene lighting scenarios.

This adaptability provided by DuraBrite is a crucial component of what makes Silver Ships vessels effective in their work.

Q&A With Michael Morris President and Co-Founder

1) What differentiates DuraBrite from its competitors?

DuraBrite lights are highly customizable and resilient to use. All DuraBrite lights come with lifetime or 10-year warranties. DuraBrite lights are known for their high optical power with minimal current draw thanks to the patented thermal management technology invented by the Founder and CEO.

2) How has DuraBrite continued to stay competitive in the marine industry?

Every product is designed with problem-solving as the primary focus. Each DuraBrite purchase is assessed for customer feedback. DuraBrite uses information about what worked and did not work for any given customer to adapt to that customer’s needs and future design. DuraBrite consulted with Silver Ships throughout the building of their Coastal Fast Response Boats, on location in Alabama to ensure the needs of the customer and mission were matched to the correct product.

3) What unique challenges are there in the lighting segment of the marine industry and how is DuraBrite meeting/overcoming those challenges?

DuraBrite is constantly testing and validating its products to meet customer needs. DuraBrite carefully considers the navigational challenges presented by visibility in marine use. As visibility conditions are ever-changing at the moment, and our customers have a variety of visibility needs, we are constantly considering fog, disorientation and communication issues in our designs. As such, we are excited to release a new series of lights to the market in September 2024. This release will include the GEN 2 models and Dual Modes (Nano, Mini and Pro Series). These new models will feature 50% more light, an SOS distress signal, upgraded watertight connectors and electropolished 316 stainless mounts for enhanced corrosion protection. LED chips will be built in to allow switching color from white to red, amber or blue, with added customization like white to UV, infrared dazzler stones and more.