Day and Night Precision with VLS-46 LED Sector Light at Carpenter Rocks, Australia
When South Australia’s Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) set out to improve navigational safety at the rugged coastline of Carpenter Rocks, precision and reliability were key. A single-station VLS-46 LED Sector Light was chosen to replace the ageing two-station system—bringing enhanced clarity, energy efficiency, and seamless performance in both day and night conditions.
Background & Challenge
Carpenter Rocks is a remote coastal town located 35 km southwest of Mount Gambier in South Australia’s southeast. Facing the powerful Southern Ocean, the area is known for its rugged shoreline, rich fishing grounds, and diving spots. However, the same coastline that draws enthusiasts poses serious navigational challenges, especially for local fishing vessels entering the bay.
Previously, navigation relied on a traditional two-station leading light system, which no longer offered the clarity or precision needed under changing conditions. To improve safety and streamline guidance for vessels, South Australia’s Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure (DPTI) identified the need for a more accurate and visible single-station sector light operating reliably both day and night.
Solution for Safer Coastal Navigation – VLS-46 Sector Light with High Accuracy
DPTI commissioned Critical Asset Protection, a specialist provider of navigation and buoyage systems in Australia, to design, supply, and install the new solution at Carpenter Rocks. After careful consultation and planning, a VLS-46 LED Sector Projector system was selected for its precision, durability, and suitability for harsh coastal environments.
The project involved the installation of three VLS-46-5D LED projectors—one red, one white, and one green—each with a 0.5° sector. These units were configured in a red–white–green sequence as viewed from the sea, providing clear directional guidance into the bay. The projector system operates with fixed characters and functions effectively in both daylight and darkness.
Powered by LEDs, the VLS-46 offers:
- Separate projectors for each colour
- Typical boundary resolution of 3 minutes of arc
- Range up to 0.8NM by day and 12NM at night (@ 0.74T)
- User-adjustable beam angle (from 100% to 10% of the maximum)
- Precision alignment via adjustable base plate for accurate colour sector transitions
The system was integrated with a solar power supply and mounted atop a purpose-built metal tower on the bay’s shoreline.
Outcome: Single-Station VLS-46 Brings New Levels of Safety to Carpenter Rocks
The installation has significantly improved the ability of local fishers and marine traffic to safely enter the bay at Carpenter Rocks. Replacing the older two-station system with a highly accurate, single-station VLS-46 has delivered both technological simplicity and operational reliability.
Gonz Uyttenhove, Planning Engineer at DPTI, praised the project:
“We are very pleased with the end product. The project ran very smoothly, the works were well planned and there was great cooperation between all parties. I am looking forward to working with Critical Asset Protection again in the future on any other projects that might arise. Thanks again, and well done.”
