title: Analysis of mechanical grooming at various frequencies on a large scale test panel coated with a fouling-release coating.
abstract: A mechanical grooming test was performed on large scale steel test panels coated with a fouling-release (FR) coating (International Intersleek 900), at four different frequencies, during the high fouling season in Port Canaveral, Florida. Grooming at frequencies of three or two times per week was effective at removing heavy biofilm growth and significantly reduced macrofouling settlement. Mechanical grooming at lower frequencies of weekly or bi-weekly removed heavy biofilm growth but was much less effective at reducing macrofouling settlement. The results indicated that frequent mechanical grooming could reduce the fouling rating of ships coated with FR coatings. The reduction in the fouling rating of ships' hulls by frequent grooming could offer significant reductions in drag, fuel consumption, and the emission of exhaust gases. Frequent grooming could also eliminate the need for hull cleaning and increase the time between dry docking which would reduce the operational costs for many vessel operators.
authors.affiliation: a Center for Corrosion and Biofouling Control , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , 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 , Florida Institute of Technology , Melbourne , FL , USA.
authors.forename: Kody
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lieberman
mesh_terms: D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D057219:Biofouling; D012767:Ships
keywords: Ships’ hull grooming; biofilm; biofouling; fouling-release coatings; macrofouling; tenacious biofilm