UK Broads Authority
Is your boat menaced by mussels? Is algae causing you angst? The Broads Authority is looking at green ways to overcome an annual problem for boaters and protect our waterways.
It is trialing a raft of environmentally friendly alternatives to toxic antifouling paint and its removal on its fleet of launches, work and trip boats.
A green method of removing and containing antifouling paint waste to prevent further pollution has been tested on one of the Authority’s steel work boats.
A low pressure jet of volcanic sand mixed with water is fired at the hull which blasts the paint and any rust off. The waste mix is trapped in an inflatable plastic lagoon laid under the boat which prevents contamination running into the rivers and broads. The mixture of blast sand and paint flakes are then shoveled into bags for safe disposal in an approved landfill site.
“This is a simple idea that small boatyards and sailing clubs could adopt to stop pretty nasty stuff containing heavy metals and pollutants going into the rivers,” said Adrian Kingsland, Business Development Manager of Blastgreen, of Seething. “The wet blast machines have a wide pressure range which can be adjusted to suit all types of boats from steel to wood and GRP. The jet blasting gives a good surface key for reapplication.”
The environmentally friendly method has a jet of about 90 psi and uses less than 1 litre of water a minute compared to 2,500 psi and 16 litres of water a minute used by a car jet wash.
Dan Hoare, Broads Authority Waterways Conservation Manager said: “Containing antifouling removed from hulls and prevention of pollution in the Broads is a responsibility for all boatyards and clubs. We are very impressed with the efficiency of the wet blasting, how little water it used and the ease with which the waste was able to be cleared up.”
The equipment is used by local authorities to remove graffiti and painted lines on roads as well as by marinas, naval dockyards, and building services. It is exported to the USA, Europe and the Middle East and is available both for purchase or hire.
The Broads Authority also gives green non-toxic, silicone based yacht hull coating hull coating the thumbs up:
The first UK trial of a new environmentally friendly anti fouling paint has been given the thumbs up by the Broads Authority.
One of its navigation ranger’s launches was lifted out after a year patrolling the brackish waters of Breydon Water having been painted with a ‘revised’ Seajet Speed to reveal a good as new hull free of algae and fouling organisms.
The non-toxic, silicone based hull coating, not yet on the market, was specially imported by Marine and Industrial LLP of Worstead, North Walsham for preliminary testing with the Broads Authority. The coating was applied last winter by Goodchild Marine of Burgh Castle.
Dan Hoare, Broads Authority Waterways Conservation Manager, said: “This revised product has more than met my expectations. The boat has come out almost as clean as when it went in. We are delighted to be able to showcase the new technology in hull coating that doesn’t require toxic ingredients to keep the hull fouling free.”
Steve Pierce, manager of Goodchild Marine, said: “I’m very impressed. It’s the best I’ve seen any boat which has been painted with a silicone based product.”
The hull had to be completely stripped down to its gell coat, followed by application of epoxy primer, two coats of coloured undercoat and two to three layers of transparent silicone top coat. While there is the additional preparation with this system, it is expected that no further work will be needed for at least three seasons.
The system works on the basis that fouling finds it very hard to anchor on to the slippery silicone surface, and if it does it becomes dislodged when the vessel begins to move through the water.
Further testing is required and the Broads Authority is considering applying the coating to another of its launches next winter. Rob Mace of M&I stressed that the system is not being marketed as a DIY solution and that application will eventually be via one or two nominated professionals. Initial prices will be available within the next 12 months.
The Broads Authority routinely applies an environmentally friendly peroxide based underwater paint which deters algae to its four trip boats, navigation ranger launches and work boats. This is an alternative to traditional antifouling paint which can cause environmental problems.
