Innovators Roundup: SeaPens
Managing biofouling is a global industry that is continuously endeavouring to find better, more effective and sustainable solutions. In previous newsletters we have shared a range of new technologies and fresh options that are gradually becoming more available.
At the Hutchwilco Boat Show last month we had a chat with the team at SeaPens. SeaPens, and other floating systems for dry docking your boat, have now emerged as a solution for many hundreds of New Zealand boat owners.
Owners of SeaPens drive their boats into the SeaPen, press a button to close the rear gate, and turn on a pump to extract water from the pen. Their boat floats in the water, but remains dry and protected from biofouling organisms.
The system was developed in Australia in the 1990s when engineer Allan Barber made one for his own boat, a 30ft sailing cat which was prone to marine growth even after antifouling. It proved effective, the idea caught on commercially and the product went into production in 2004. Around 500 SeaPens have been sold in New Zealand.
SeaPens are suitable for a wide range of boats. Spokesperson Sandra Barber says that SeaPens can be used for monohulls, catamarans, jet boats and various propulsion systems including outboards, stern drives, jet drives, shaft drives, IPS and pods.
They are suitable for sailing yachts too. Sandra says they have made many SeaPens for yachts even those with deep keels such as Farr 40s.
SeaPens themselves are not immune to biofouling growth but they are reasonably resistant and easy to clean. The external frame is made from high density polythene HDPE (the same as used by many marinas for pile floats and underwater equipment). The skin itself is a low-energy polymer and inhibits barnacle growth, although some weed may grow. In most cases, it doesn’t require cleaning.
Most importantly, the manufacturers say it virtually eliminates the risk of a boat spreading marine pests via biofouling, and by negating growth of slime and organisms on the hull, maximises performance, speed and fuel efficiency.
In most countries, SeaPens are treated the same as marina infrastructure and are not hauled out for cleaning. Some New Zealand marinas do require that they are hauled out for regular maintenance and inspection - so we recommend checking in with your marina manager before investing in one.
You can find out about SeaPens at www.dockpro.com.au
Clean Below? Good to Go shares information from time to time with boat owners about new products that are becoming available. These are not recommendations and many factors must be taken into account when considering biofouling situations. Please research carefully and consult with professionals from the industry to ensure that solutions are fit for your boat. If you have a product for us to consider in a future issue, please email info@marinepests.nz with brief details.