Thursday, December 5, 2013

THE BASICS: What is a 'Foul Release System'?

Even when the water looks clean, seawaters are home to thousands of microorganisms. In fact, these tiny creatures and plankton make up 90% of ocean wildlife. This is good news for nature, but bad news for your boat.

Unprotected vessel surfaces make great homes for microorganisms, and the rough hull attracts larger organisms, like barnacles and seaweed. All of these tiny hitchhikers are referred to as ‘foul’.

Traditional antifouling paints stop this from happening by emitting biocides to prevent these marine organisms from growing on the boat. However, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has expressed concerns about their effect on marine environments.

This is where we come in.

Foul release systems provide a smooth surface (on a microscopic level) that means micro-organisms and the like will simply wash off. Often, travelling at around 10 knots is enough to remove any build-up. In most cases, an annual cleanup is necessary, but a quick brush down is all you need, and your boat will be good to go.

The slippery smooth surface a foul release system provides is also great news for your fuel efficiency. It’s good for the environment, and good for your pocket.

Want to find out more? Visit our website or tweet us @Aquacote.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Share your thoughts