title: Analysis of long-term mechanical grooming on large-scale test panels coated with an antifouling and a fouling-release coating.
abstract: Long-term grooming tests were conducted on two large-scale test panels, one coated with a fluorosilicone fouling-release (FR) coating, and one coated with a copper based ablative antifouling (AF) coating. Mechanical grooming was performed weekly or bi-weekly using a hand operated, electrically powered, rotating brush tool. The results indicate that weekly grooming was effective at removing loose or heavy biofilm settlement from both coatings, but could not prevent the permanent establishment of low-profile tenacious biofilms. Weekly grooming was very effective at preventing macrofouling establishment on the AF coating. The effectiveness of weekly grooming at preventing macrofouling establishment on the FR coating varied seasonally. The results suggest that frequent mechanical grooming is a viable method to reduce the fouling rating of ships' hulls with minimal impact to the coating. Frequent grooming could offer significant fuel savings while reducing hull cleaning frequencies and dry dock maintenance requirements.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control (CCBC) , Florida Institute of Technology , Melbourne , FL , USA.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hearin
authors.affiliation: a Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control (CCBC) , Florida Institute of Technology , Melbourne , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Kelli Z
authors.initials: KZ
authors.lastname: Hunsucker
authors.affiliation: a Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control (CCBC) , Florida Institute of Technology , Melbourne , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Geoffrey
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Swain
authors.affiliation: a Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control (CCBC) , Florida Institute of Technology , Melbourne , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Stephens
authors.affiliation: a Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control (CCBC) , Florida Institute of Technology , Melbourne , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Harrison
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Gardner
authors.affiliation: a Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control (CCBC) , Florida Institute of Technology , Melbourne , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Kody
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lieberman
authors.affiliation: a Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control (CCBC) , Florida Institute of Technology , Melbourne , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Harper
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development*; D057219:Biofouling / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010150:Paint / Q000032:analysis*; D012767:Ships; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D012827:Silicone Oils; C054077:fluorosilicone oil; D003300:Copper
keywords: antifouling coatings; biofilms; biofouling; fouling release coatings; macrofouling; ship hull grooming