New Technology Removes Invasive Species
HullMasters’ Units Takes Barnacles, Zebra Mussels off Ships
Apr 28, 2009
John Masters, and Lorenzo Moore, residents of Maryland and Virginia, respectively, have developed an electronic device, the HullMasters™ dispersal unit, that disrupts the glue barnacles and mussels use to attach to host surfaces, including hulls of ships, piers, pilings, floating docks in marinas and other facilities. Any material infested with invasive species found on the Great Lakes and all of its tributaries can use the technology.
Unit Interferes With Glue from Mussels, Barnacles
Each dispersal unit excites the water and “eats” the glue that these marine organisms secrete to attach to a host surface. The technology uses proprietary processes that have been in testing for more than 25 years. Similar units performing a slightly different function have been installed and have worked since 1995. The product used does not pollute the environment when it releases treated water. In fact, organisms love the effluent.
“This product is a huge technological triumph,” said Masters, one of the partners of Lions Beard Marine LLC, the manufacturer of the product. “Of significant importance is the fact that HullMasters™ technology is environmentally friendly. We don’t even kill the organism; it may fall to the bottom and have difficulty feeding but we think of that as his problem.”
HullMasters (TM) Barnacle Removal Technology Is Environmentally Friendly
The technology does not cause harm to the environment because:
- It doesn't strip paint off ships
- It doesn't produce waste
- It uses a small amount of electricity
- It doesn't kill the organisms
When addressing barnacles, the company treats the entire marina without electrolysis issues or electrical communications interference. Each unit can handle at least a 400-foot radius from where the control cabinet is placed. The unit not only removes existing growth but also keeps any new infestation from becoming successful. Results are apparent in a week to 10 days. Boat owners are able to reduce the amount of time and money spent taking their boats from the water for cleaning. The boat hull is free of barnacles at any time the owner wishes to use it, and it will stay that way.
Masters added, “We’re changing the face of pleasure boating worldwide. This is really big! Once we get the tide turning in our favor with units in place, we don’t expect any reasonable boat owner to choose a marina with barnacles versus our ‘barnacle-free zone marinas.’”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, invasive species are alien species whose introduction to a watershed or marina causes economic, environmental or human harm. Invasive species are one of the largest threats to our terrestrial, coastal and freshwater ecosystems. Along with the U.S. Coast Guard, EPA is targeting invasive species through regulation and environmental remediation.
Masters’ technology is designed to help marinas meet new environmental regulations and improve the economic outlook for ship owners. Currently, he is marketing the technology to marinas and shipping fleets in the United States, but he also is pursuing opportunities with the city of Venice in Italy.
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