Marine anti-fouling

Abstract

A method of significantly reducing marine fouling is taught, incorporating the use of light in the area around an underwater surface, to detract zoo plankton and salps. These marine organisms are generally nocturnal to avoid optical predators such as fish. As a result they will avoid bright areas. Lights can be provided in fenders around a boat or the like, which can direct light to the area around an underwater surface of the vessel. Alternatively lights could be positioned over the underwater surface. In addition, the underwater surface can be made reflective to increase the light levels around the vessel. In a further alternative, the underwater surface can be coated in a bio or chemo-luminescent coating.

1 . A method of reducing fouling on an underwater surface comprising using light around the surface to suppress the presence of zoo-plankton and salps. 
   
   
       2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the underwater surface is the hull of a boat or the like. 
   
   
       3 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the light source is provided in fenders around the boat. 
   
   
       4 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the light source is LEDs spaced over the underwater surface. 
   
   
       5 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  or  claim 4 , wherein the underwater surface is silvered or coated in metal flakes to reflect light. 
   
   
       6 . A method as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the underwater surface is covered in a luminescent coating. 
   
   
       7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the luminescence is bioluminescence 
   
   
       8 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the luminescence is chemo-luminescence. 
   
   
       9 . A fender for a boat or the like, the fender incorporating a light. 
   
   
       10 . A fender as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the light is directed to illuminate the area around the underwater section of a boat or the like. 
   
   
       11 . A fender as claimed in  claim 9  or  claim 10 , wherein the light is produced from incandescent bulbs or from LEDs. 
   
   
       12 . A fender as claimed in  claim 9 ,  10  or  11 , wherein the fender also incorporates mirrors and/or reflectors to direct the light to the area around the under water section of the boat or the like. 
   
   
       13 . A method of reducing bio-contamination by sea-transport, comprising using light around the underwater surface of a vessel to suppress the presence of zoo-plankton and salps.