Special performance or high popularity: that's what makes an All-Stars team in sports. On the occasion of our centenary we have set our All-Stars team of searchlights.
Searchlights are used and needed for various purposes in maritime industries. They are used for navigation purposes, e. g. to identify routes and ship buoys. They also support the search for missing people at sea and allow dangers such as icebergs to be detected at an early stage.
Day signalling searchlight can also be used for signal transmissions and morse signals, allowing ships to communicate without radio.
In 1988, WISKA purchases “Ostermann Apparatebau Kiel GmbH” adding searchlights into the portfolio. Mr. Ostermann starts to work as a consultant for WISKA.
Production moves from Rellingen to Kaltenkirchen. Many of Ostermann's customers move with the business and begin to work with WISKA, projects include military vehicles, naval vessels and trading ships. The vast product assortment includes a wide range of designs and models, such as the LSW (light-weight searchlight) and MSW (marine searchlight). WISKA also sells a light day signalling searchlight for one-handed use (RBL). The housing of the searchlights is round and made of aluminum.
Other products at this time include the FL50, a remote controlled electric pan & tilt unit, as well as an extensive range of searchlight heads in various sizes (200, 300, 400 & 450 mm). Halogen lamps are often used for the searchlight heads, but also xenon and metal halide lamps are applied.
Following the integration of this new business unit, WISKA is increasingly concentrating on supplying maritime customers.
In 2003, WISKA re-designs the housing of the searchlights.
Constructed of powder-coated stainless steel, the eight edged design is quite unique at the time. Offering high mechanical stability and corrosion resistance, this design upgrade is perfectly suited for trade vessels. The new design allows CCTV video surveillance and speakers to be attached to the housing. The powder-coat protects the stainless steel against flash rust on board.
The FL50 is replaced by the new FL51 in 2003. The pan & tilt unit fits optically to searchlight heads. As well as an exterior overhaul, the FL51 receives a technical upgrade too, e. g. improved internal controls and electronic ballasts.
The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) is introduced in 2004 and regulates extensive security measures for ships and port facilities. Maritime emergency response is improved by the use of searchlights. WISKA offers lighting solutions according to the ISPS code standards.
In 2008 WISKA launches the SKS 575 – Suez Canal Searchlight as successor of the SKS 3000.
The passage through the Suez Canal takes place in a convoy in only one direction. The searchlight is built according to the regulations of the Suez Canal Authority. The mirror inside is divided and generates two cones of light. This means that the ships in front are not dazzled, but the surroundings are still well illuminated.
The SKS 575 is designed, developed and manufactured solely by WISKA. The previous SKS 3000 featured a rounded aluminum housing and a halogen lamp. The design is updated in 2008 to a eight cornered stainless steel housing, featuring a metal halide lamp. The lamp type change ensures that the SKS 575 only has 20 % of the volume of its predecessor. The reduced weight ensures an easier handling and installation.
After producing a first day signalling searchlight in the 1990's, WISKA launches an improved day signalling searchlight, the HML-ISO 35, in 2008. The day signalling searchlight is designed for one-handed use and the components are produced with injection molding machines in Kaltenkirchen. The HML-ISO 35 complies with the Maritime Equipment Directive (MED A.I/4.52) and therefore belongs to the SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea) equipment.
On time for the SMM 2018, WISKA launches a further developed pan & tilt unit, the FL52 model. This new pan & tilt unit replaces the FL51. The optimized electric remote control offers some new features.
The upper part of the pan & tilt unit can now be opened from two sides. This simplifies maintenance and replacement of spare parts. With the FL52, the spotlight heads can be adjusted horizontally (+180 ° / -180 °) and vertically (+34 ° / -34 °).
The FL52 is designed in such a way that the lower part with the connection area is fixed in order to avoid damage to the connection cable, e. g. due to constant movement of the searchlight head. As with our searchlight heads, the new pan & tilt unit is made of stainless steel offering high corrosion resistance.
