Kellukkeita

Kellukkeita are buoyant objects used in water environments. In Finnish, kelluke (plural kellukkeet or kellukkeita) denotes a buoy or float designed to provide buoyancy, mark locations, or support floating gear. The term covers both navigational buoys used to indicate channels, hazards, or mooring areas, and smaller floats used on fishing nets, lines, and other equipment to keep them afloat.

Kellukkeita used for navigation are part of a broader system of merimerkit in Finland and other Nordic countries. These devices are typically colored brightly and equipped with reflective elements to ensure visibility from a distance. Smaller kellukkeita are used in fishing and aquaculture to mark gear, nets, or cages, and to buoy sampling instruments or sensors.

Design and construction vary by application. Floating cores are commonly hollow plastic shells or foam blocks wrapped in durable materials to resist water, impact, and UV exposure. Shapes range from spherical and barrel-shaped to cones and cylinders, optimized for visibility, stability, and line attachment.

In everyday Finnish maritime language, kellukkeita may be translated as buoys or floats, depending on context. The term is part of general nautical vocabulary alongside merimerkit, navigational aids, and equipment terminology.