An underwater vacuum could be used to remove biofouling from the hull of marine vessels reducing the risk of invasive marine pests being released into WA waters.
Franmarine CEO Adam Falconer-West (left), Fremantle Ports Environmental Specialist Rebecca James and DPIRD’s Samantha Bridgwood, Justin McDonald and Careena Nolan at Fremantle Port.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has been working with Fremantle Ports to review the new hull cleaning technology against Australian in-water cleaning draft guidelines.
The technology was developed by marine services firm Franmarine and is designed to remove accumulated algae and other marine life from commercial vessels in a biosecure way.
The technology consists of a diver-operated underwater vacuum connected to a large filtration system where the water and fouling are filtered to remove organic matter. The remaining water is treated with UV radiation before being returned to the ocean.
DPIRD Aquatic Pest Biosecurity senior researcher Samantha Bridgwood said the technology was an exciting development to help manage vessel biofouling, prevent the spread of invasive marine species and protect marine biodiversity.
“This hull cleaning system is currently being scientifically assessed against strict biosecurity and chemical contaminant capture standards set down in the draft national guidelines,” she said
“If the technology is meeting the proposed national standards, there will be a larger commercial pilot program rolled out in Fremantle Ports’ waters.
“This initiative is a great example of WA leading the way with industry to develop marine biosecurity practices that benefit our precious marine environment and the shipping industry.”
The technology does not replace the need for best biosecurity practice where biofouling is kept to a minimum to ensure the likelihood of harbouring an invasive marine species is as low as possible.
