Transport Minister Walter Roban yesterday announced a $182,000 contract with Tideland Signal Corporation in Texas for the purchase of 24 channel buoys and six new lighting systems.The new equipment will be deployed around the Island on various marine navigation structures over a three-year period as part of the Department of Marine and Ports’ buoy replacement project.The project, which started in 2009, will see the Island’s continued transition from the older style red and green painted steel buoys to a modern generation of plastic buoys. The newer models are virtually maintenance-free and have a design life of 20 years.Mr Roban said: “Key channel areas such as the Narrows Channel off St George’s, as well as inshore channels in St George’s and Hamilton Harbour are expected to benefit from these new buoys.”“Not only will Bermuda continue to meet its international obligations for marine ship channel marking, but local mariners should also be pleased with these polystyrene buoys that they will be deployed in coastal waters in due course.“The migration towards self contained LED lighting technology that includes batteries and solar cells in one tidy package is also being continued and this will further ensure reliability of vital navigation aids throughout our waterways.“Certain elements of this buoy and light purchase will also assist in our making Bermuda’s channels ready for the future prospect of Night-Time Ship Pilotage whereby commercial vessels might arrive into, and depart from our ports during the hours of darkness,” said Mr Roban.“The Dockyard Aids to Navigation (ATON) Section spearheads the maintenance work on the various offshore buoys and beacons. With their buoy tender Dragon just off of the slip having had maintenance completed to her hull, deck and various hydraulic systems, the ATON Section will be well equipped to commence installation work of these new buoys through the winter,” he added.Maintenance training from the manufacturer on the new lighting systems was also included in the package deal to keep Bermuda’s “vital shipping channels well marked” with “systems functioning in a world class condition”.“This will further ensure reliability of vital navigation aids throughout our waterways,” said Mr Roban. He also thanked the crews responsible for maintenance “as they continue to keep vital shipping channels well marked”.