Mexico Puerto Vallarta Traditional Buoy Smart Upgrade Project

A lighter approach to smart upgrades for traditional buoys.

Give existing buoys new capabilities—without replacing the entire buoy.

Project Location: Mexico
Application: Smart Upgrade of Traditional Navigation Buoys
Product: DM860 Solar Marine Lantern with Integrated AIS AtoN + GSM
Project Type: Traditional Buoy Smart Upgrade

Project Background

As AtoN management becomes increasingly digital and connected, many traditional buoys that are still in good working condition also need to support functions such as AIS identification and remote monitoring.

In many cases, however, replacing the entire buoy is unnecessary. If the buoy body, mooring system and ballast are still in good condition, a full replacement would add significant cost and work, including buoy recovery, transportation, redeployment, mooring adjustments and on-site installation.

For the Puerto Vallarta project in Mexico, Dexonmarine reviewed the existing buoy and recommended a more practical upgrade approach: keep the buoy body in service and replace only the marine lantern.

The existing lantern was replaced with a DM860 Solar Marine Lantern with Integrated AIS AtoN + GSM. With AIS and GSM functions built into the lantern, the customer was able to upgrade the buoy without installing separate external devices or replacing the entire buoy system.

This approach made full use of the customer's existing buoy asset while keeping changes to the original buoy structure and ballast to a minimum. The upgraded solution also received positive feedback from the customer during actual operation.

Upgrade Requirements

The main challenge in this project was not to replace the entire buoy system, but to upgrade the existing buoy with as little modification as possible.

The customer wanted to keep the original buoy in service while adding AIS and GSM functions. At the same time, they wanted to avoid installing several separate devices, which could add extra weight and affect the buoy’s existing balance and ballast.

The upgrade therefore focused on a simple and practical approach:

• Keep the existing buoy in service
• Replace only the marine lantern
• Integrate AIS and communication functions into the lantern
• Avoid adding unnecessary external equipment and weight
• Maintain the buoy’s original ballast and balance
• Allow shore-based remote monitoring and control
• Improve AIS identification and communication with vessels
• Keep the upgrade cost under control

Smart Upgrade Solution

Dexonmarine supplied the DM860 Solar Marine Lantern with Integrated AIS AtoN + GSM for the project.

The DM860 combines the marine lantern, AIS AtoN and GSM communication functions in one unit. With these functions already built into the lantern, there was no need to install a separate AIS device, communication module or other external equipment on the buoy.

The upgrade itself was simple: keep the existing buoy and replace only the lantern.

The buoy body, mooring system and ballast configuration were left unchanged. This allowed the customer to continue using the existing buoy without adding extra equipment weight or making unnecessary structural modifications.

For traditional buoys that are still in good working condition, this offers a simpler and more economical way to add smart functions without replacing the whole buoy system.

Replacing Only the Lantern: A More Economical Smart Upgrade

When an existing buoy is still in good condition, replacing the entire system just to add AIS or remote monitoring functions can result in unnecessary cost and additional work.

In Puerto Vallarta, the original buoy remained in service and only the marine lantern was upgraded.

By keeping the existing buoy, the customer avoided the cost and work involved in purchasing a new buoy, transporting it to site, redeploying it and adjusting the mooring system. Because the DM860 combines the lantern, AIS and GSM functions in a single unit, there was also no need for extra mounting brackets, wiring or separate communication equipment.

The result was a straightforward upgrade: no buoy replacement, no additional external devices and no changes to the original ballast configuration—only the lantern was replaced.

GSM: Convenient Remote Monitoring and Control from Shore

The DM860 includes GSM communication for remote monitoring and management of the marine lantern.

This allows ports, waterway authorities and AtoN operators to check the lantern’s operating status from shore and make remote adjustments when needed.

Instead of relying mainly on on-site inspections, the lantern can be connected to a shore-based management system through GSM, making routine monitoring and maintenance more efficient.

AIS: Enhanced Digital Identification and Communication

The DM860 also integrates AIS AtoN functionality.

Traditional buoys rely mainly on their lights to provide a visual warning to nearby vessels. With AIS AtoN added, the buoy can also transmit its position and related information directly to vessel navigation systems.

This means vessels can identify the buoy both visually and through AIS, giving the buoy an additional layer of digital identification and communication.

By replacing only the marine lantern, the existing buoy can provide visual warning, AIS identification and GSM remote monitoring in one upgrade.

Customer Feedback

During actual operation, the customer gave positive feedback on the DM860 and commented:

“Lo estamos haciendo. Estas linterna DM860 han gustado mucho.”

“The DM860 lanterns have been very well received.”

This feedback shows that traditional buoys already in service can be upgraded with AIS AtoN and GSM functions without replacing the entire buoy system. By upgrading the lantern itself, users can add digital identification, communication and remote management capabilities while continuing to use the existing buoy.

Upgrade Value

The DM860 Solar Marine Lantern with Integrated AIS AtoN + GSM was installed directly on the customer’s existing buoy in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. There was no need to replace the buoy or add separate AIS or GSM equipment. The upgrade was completed simply by replacing the original marine lantern.

After the upgrade, the buoy continued to serve as a visual AtoN while also providing AIS identification and communication, together with GSM remote monitoring and control from shore.

For users who already have traditional buoys in service, adding AIS, GSM or other smart functions does not always mean replacing the entire buoy. Dexonmarine can evaluate the existing buoy structure, installation conditions and management needs, and recommend a practical upgrade solution based on the actual project.