Blue & Green Marine’s original use of ultrasound marked a sea change in the technology of antifouling.  Its latest highly innovative and intelligent system represents a further major step forward in design and capability.   It’s a simple, effective, adaptive antifouling solution that is environmentally sound and can pay for itself within two years.

Designed in the first instance by British marine engineers and manufactured to UK Ministry of Defence specifications, the Blue & Green Marine system  has been developed to a new level of innovation and performance in conjunction with our Australian partners. We lead the way in antifouling.

         Features

         How it works

         FAQs

Features

         Engineered to the highest standards

         Suited to most vessels

         Professional installation

         Minimal power requirement

         No impact on onboard electronics or anodes

         In brief

 

Engineered to the highest standards

The Blue & Green Marine System was designed in the first instance by British marine engineers and was manufactured by UK Ministry of Defence contractors.  Further highly innovative design and development work has been carried out in conjunction with our experienced Australian marine electronics partners.

State-of-the-art manufacturing technologies deliver unparalleled performance and a product built specifically for the demanding marine environment.  The System automatically determines the correct frequency to ensure effective antifouling throughout the hull taking into account hull material and internal structures as well as variable environmental factors such as ambient air and water temperatures.

Blue & Green Marine’s System is built to ISO N9001-2000 quality standards.  The original system underwent successful extended trials at the UK National Oceanography Centre. The latest model has already delivered similar positive results during over a year’s intensive trials in some of the hottest and most challenging environments in the world.

Suited to most vessels

The Blue & Green Marine System is effective on, aluminum, steel, GRP and carbon fibre hulls.  New, innovative intelligent technology enables Blue & Green Marine to carry out an evaluation of any hull and predict, with supporting evidence to the owner or operator ahead of purchasing, the suitability of the hull for an ultrasound solution, and its expected performance.

This substantially reduces the “wait and [i]see” factor that was inevitable until an intelligent and predictive solution could be designed.  Wood has been regarded as unsuitable as a hull material in the context of ultrasound because it tends to absorb the signal.  However, our evaluation process would permit a quick assessment in suitable cases.

The system is designed for use on commercial and leisure craft. The number of transducers required and their optimum location will vary according to the size and design of each vessels.  Our intelligent System enables accurate prediction of best positioning and the number of transducers required to achieve full coverage of the hull and underwater equipment.

The new model identifies the impact on ultrasound transmission through the hull of all the variable factors such as hull materials, structures, welds, bulkheads and the like as well as the variable environmental factors such as air and water temperature.  The System then adapts itself and delivers the optimal performance at that time and location for that hull.

Though best installed on a new or recently cleaned hull, the system can have a cleaning effect on fouled hulls as well as inhibiting new algal growth.

Professional installation

Blue & Green Marine’s agents and dealers will advise on the optimum configuration for your vessel and oversee installation to the highest standards.

The ultrasonic transducers are either bonded or welded to the inner surface of the outer hull and are connected to the control unit positioned in an accessible location. No through-hull fixings are necessary.

Minimal power requirement

The most efficient operating cycle for each boat is determined by the installer at the time of final testing of the System. 

Because the System ensures that the transducers are always driven at the optimum frequency effective antifouling can be achieved without the System being “always on”.  Instead the System is dormant between operating cycles, thus minimizing power consumption.  When the transducers are driven the current draw will be a maximum of 0.8A, with a dormant draw of 0.02A. 

The System is available in 12volt and 24volt versions, with automatic switching between battery and shore power. 

 No impact on onboard electronics or anodes

The unit is silent - there are no clicks from the transducer pods. Trials conducted by the UK National Oceanography Centre show that the system does not interfere with other onboard electronics or affect the boat’s anodes.

In brief

         Manufactured in Australia to ISO 9001-2000 and equivalent          standards

         Works on aluminium, steel, GRP, and Carbon Fibre                  Operates silently

         Low maximum current drain (0.8 amps)

         Adaptive automatically to different environments

         [Switches automatically between 12V, 24V, 110V and 240V]

         Omni-directional range of up to 10 metres subject to hull          materials and construction

         No need for acid-etch to prime gel-coat

         No harsh cleaning required, giving increased gel-coat life

         Largely maintenance free

         No through-hull fixings

 

How it works

         Better performance and lower maintenance costs

         Hard on algae; harmless to the environment

         The power of ultrasound

         Patents pending

         Scalable to the commercial market

 

Better performance and lower maintenance costs

The removal of fouling on a permanent basis means the regular chore of lifting boats out of the water, scrubbing, and painting with toxic antifouling coatings is no longer necessary.  Free of fouling, boats have substantially less drag, resulting in greater fuel efficiency.

With a System professionally installed by Blue & Green Marine’s certified marine dealers, your boat’s hull will stay as clean as the day it was launched.

Hard on algae; harmless to the environment

With the Blue & Green Marine System, your boat’s hull will be kept clear of algae, slime, weeds, worms and shellfish without the use of poisonous biocides that leach into the water and leave a toxic chemical legacy.  The days of environmentally unfriendly antifouling paints are numbered.

The hull is surrounded with a shield of ultrasound-induced cavitation, creating an environment that algae and bacteria find uninhabitable.

The power of ultrasound

The Blue & Green Marine System uses ultrasound to create an environment on the underwater surface of the hull of a boat or ship which prohibits bio-film growth. This prevents the attachment of algae and consequently, the underside of the vessel does not foul. No contaminants or pollutants are used or created and the ultrasonic pulses are harmless to fish and inaudible to marine mammals.

The science has been known for many years but until recently it has not proved possible to achieve predictable and consistent results on the whole of the underwater surface of a boat and its stern- and other gear. By combining optimal frequency and optimal timing of the operation of the transducers, Blue & Green Marine’s engineers have solved the problem.

The key to its efficiency lies in the destructive power that ultrasound can have at a microscopic level.  The ultrasonic transducers create a finely tuned pulse of ultra high frequency sound waves in the hull.  These waves cause cavitation in the water abutting the hull and this induces damage to the cell walls of the single-celled organisms that form a layer or ‘biofilm’ around all objects immersed in water.  The fierce cavitation disrupts the cells’ structure but is harmless to a boat’s gel-coat or other painted finishes.

With the algae unable to develop, the first link in the food chain is removed and larger, more complex organisms – weed, worms, and shellfish – are unable to colonise.  The hull, keel, rudder, prop-shaft, propeller, thrusters, water intakes and through-hull transducers remain clean.

Patents pending

Patents have already been granted or are in process to protect the novel technologies developed for the system.

Scalable to the commercial market

The Blue & Green Marine System in its present form is ideally suited both for commercial and work boats and for the larger leisure boat market.

In the large commercial market (merchant ships, tankers, barges, etc), steel hulls, simple hull profiles and substantial power generation capacity are all factors suited to the System.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

         The Hull Protection System

         Potential impact on my boat

         Environmental impacts

         Traditional antifouling

         Installation and maintenance

         Costs and return on investment

         Blue & Green Marine’s track record

 

The Blue & Green Marine System

What is the System?

Blue & Green Marine’s System is an environmentally sound solution for the perennial problem of fouling on boat hulls.  It uses ultrasonic pulses to keep the boat’s hull clear of algae, slime, weeds, worms and molluscs, making redundant the use of environmentally unfriendly antifouling coatings, which may leach toxic chemicals into the water.

How does the System work?

The ultrasonic transducers are located in flanges that are either bonded or welded to the inner surface of the outer hull and connected to a control unit in an accessible location.  A finely tuned pulse of ultra high frequency sound waves is transmitted through the hull, surrounding it with a shield of ultrasound-induced cavitation (microscopic bubbles) that disrupt the cell structure of algal slime - the first link in the food chain of fouling organisms.   Without the presence of the bio film created by algae, more complex organisms are deterred from colonising the hull, keel, rudder, prop-shaft, propeller, thrusters or water intakes.

Does the System work on all hulls?

The Blue & Green Marine System is recommended for use on aluminium, steel, GRP and carbon fibre hulls.  Our installers will recommend the correct transducers, which are manufactured in both aluminium and steel.

As wood tends to absorb the ultrasound, results on wooden hulls may not be satisfactory but our pre-installation evaluation process will establish the likely level of performance, if any,  that can be achieved.

Where our evaluation process identifies poor ultrasound transmission through the hull because of, for example, a sound absorbing core fill, we may recommend removing the sandwich material to allow the transducers to be bonded to the inner surface of the outer hull.

Is the System totally waterproof?

Yes, the Blue & Green Marine System is engineered to marine standards and is totally waterproof. However, we do not recommend installation in an area that remains flooded for extended periods.

Will the System clean a hull that is already fouled?

The Blue & Green Marine System is not designed as a hull cleaning system for a fouled hull. However once installed on such a hull the ultrasonic waves may kill existing algae and prevent more from attaching. Though the dead algae will wash off in normal conditions, barnacles and other stubborn growth will require manual removal.  The next hull cleaning will certainly be much easier.

We recommend installation on a clean hull, which will then stay clean indefinitely.

Will the System prevent barnacles attaching to the hull?

Yes.  With no algae on the hull, the food source for larger organisms is removed.  However, the System will not remove existing barnacles cemented to the hull.

Does the System work in both salt water and fresh water?

Yes.  Algal slime, weed growth and parasites occur in both salt and fresh water and though the types differ, they are susceptible to ultrasound.

How effective is the System?

Trials were conducted with the original System on a heavy GRP hull by the University of Southampton's School of Ocean and Earth Science at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton over a period of 8 months with encouraging results. The new model has been trialled extensively for more than a year in some of the harshest fouling environments in the world and has delivered excellent results in line with predictions.

Can I get the System installed in a new build?

Ideally, this is the best time to install the System.  Blue & Green Marine will supply systems and installation support direct to boat builders.  However, it can also be successfully retro-fitted to a clean hull. This should be done by certified marine fitters, approved and trained by Blue & Green Marine and its principal distributors.

Potential impact on my boat

What impact does System have on the hydrodynamics of a yacht?

As the system does not create any protuberances through the hull, there is nothing to affect the laminar flow and there should be no effect on the hydrodynamics of a yacht.  On the contrary, a clean hull will improve hydrodynamics, and polishing the hull will be much easier.

Could a yacht’s rating be changed as a result of installing the System?

No, unless as a result of a modest increase in weight.

Will the System interfere with other electronic devices, e.g. fish finder, sonar?

The System will work alongside your other marine electronics.  The ultrasonic pulses have no affect on the anodes or other electrical or electronic devices.   There may be a slight increase in background noise on a fish finder, but its accuracy will be unimpaired.  These effects have been supported by our trials with the National Oceanography Centre at Southampton.  If you are concerned, the system can be easily switched off whilst you are fishing or the relevant frequencies can be excluded so as to avoid potential interference although none has yet been experienced.

Can ultrasonic waves weaken metal welds, bulkhead joins or through-fittings?

There are no signs of the System having any impact on the strength of metal welds, bulkhead joins or through hull fittings.  Ultrasonic devices with higher and stronger frequencies than those generated by the Blue & Green Marine System have been used on marine craft for many years, with no detrimental effect.

Does the System work effectively on a boat with a very large / complex hull or keel?

The more complex the hull shape the more critical the placement of the transducers.  The number of transducers required to ensure a perfect result may increase.  The new innovative and intelligent Blue & Green Marine system allows a pre-installation evaluation and better predicts optimal positioning and transducer numbers to achieve a successful result.  No two hulls are actually identical even where there are two apparently identical hulls! Our agents and distributors will assess your boat before providing a quotation.

Environmental impacts

What makes the System environmentally sound?

The Blue & Green Marine System brings three major benefits to the environment.  First, it eliminates the need for the use of copper-based paints or biocide-laced coatings to deter fouling.  Such paints and coatings leach toxic chemicals into the water and are harmful to marine life.  Second, by preventing algae from attaching to the hull, weeds and other organisms are not spread as your boat moves through the water.  Third, with a clean hull, your boat will have less drag in the water, improving hull performance and maximising efficiency and minimizing fuel consumption.

Does the System affect marine life?

Ultrasonic pulses are known to be harmless to fish and inaudible to marine mammals, as a fish finder is.  When fixed to a fouled boat, the System has attracted fish, which like to nibble the dead algae.  But it cannot guarantee a successful catch!

How much noise does it make?

The operation of the transducers is physically silent. There are no clicks or noises from the transducer pods.

What is the extent of the potential saving on fuel?

We cannot quantify the saving on fuel; this is will depend on the boat and its use together with a number of other external factors.  However, with a consistently clean hull you are certain to see an improvement in fuel consumption and a more consistent speed performance over the life of the boat.

Traditional antifouling

Will I need to continue to use copper based paints?

No.  One of Blue & Green Marine’s primary objectives is to eliminate the use of environmentally harmful copper based paints.  With our System professionally installed and fully functioning, you will never again need to treat your vessel with a copper based paint.

Do copper based paints really harm the environment?

Most antifouling paints are copper based.  Dissolved copper is potentially toxic to aquatic plants and animals, particularly to fish larvae and other early-stage life.

Will the System work on a vessel with antifouling paint already applied?

Yes, the System will work regardless of whether antifouling paint is present.

My vessel is treated with a non-toxic, non-stick paint. Does this make the System unnecessary?

Non-stick paints are designed to make boats easier and quicker to clean. They do not prevent the growth of marine organisms on hulls. If the System is installed, these organisms will not colonise and so the use of non-stick paints becomes unnecessary.

Installation and maintenance

Can I install it myself?

The System can only be 100% effective if installed correctly following a pre-installation hull evaluation exercise.  A trained and experienced fitter, approved by Blue & Green Marine, is required to ensure installation is perfect and the transducers are placed for optimum effect.

How many transducers will I need to be installed?

Each transducer has a range of up to 10 metres.  The number required, however, depends on the hull composition and structure.  Generally two transducers may be required for boats of up to 30 feet but more may  be needed if the boat has complex stern gear or a large keel.

How long does installation take?

Once the correct configuration has been specified for the boat, fitting is relatively quick.  A two-transducer system could be fitted in half a day.  A four-way system on a larger boat might take up to a day.  The longest part of the installation will often be the running of the cables between the transducers and the control unit, which may be affected by internal fittings and structures.

Does the boat have to be slipped for installation to take place?

No.  The System has no external fittings and so it can be fitted when the boat is in the water. However, we recommend cleaning your boat prior to installation so that the effects of the system are immediately apparent.

How big is the transducer and can it be fitted where space is very limited?

The mounting flange is 140mm in diameter and the height of the transducer when screwed into the flange is 110mm. Each transducer weighs about 1.2kg; the control box is between 0.8kg and 1.2kg and the cable set for a two transducer installation is about 2.7kg.

The transducers are installed below the waterline within the hull of the vessel.  If being retro-fitted, locations may be limited by accessibility but your installer will be able to advice on the best placement.  The control box can be located anywhere where it can be conveniently accessed to check operation of the system and, if necessary, switch it off.

What guarantees and warranties are offered?

The Blue & Green Marine System is covered by a two year warranty, which covers the replacement of faulty components.  Fitting and sign-off by a qualified marine electrician is mandatory to validate the warranty.  An extended warranty can be bought at the time of installation or on expiry of the initial warranty period.

Blue & Green Marine offers a money back guarantee if the system has not materially affected fouling within six weeks of installation by an authorised installer.

How often does the System need servicing?

We are confident that, as long as the System is installed correctly, it will require no maintenance or attention beyond an annual check.

Costs and return on investment

What is the cost of the System, fully installed?

An approximate price list and accessory list is available on request.  The cost will depend on the configuration of the system and the time taken to fit it. This will vary from boat to boat, depending on accessibility and size.  If you contact a Blue & Green Marine agent or distributor, they will advise on the configuration.  In some instances, a survey or sight of boat drawings will be necessary to establish the best places to site transducer units.

What on-going costs can I anticipate?

There should be no on-going costs associated directly with the System, once fully installed.

Blue & Green Marine’s track record

What research has been undertaken to test the System?

Preliminary trials have been conducted by the University of Southampton's School of Ocean and Earth Science at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton over a period of 8 months with encouraging results from the ultrasonic anti-fouling system fitted to a heavy GRP hull.  

The National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, a joint venture of the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council and Southampton University is amongst the most highly regarded centres in the world for ocean and earth sciences and marine technology.

What accreditations or awards has the company received?

The Blue & Green Marine Hull Protection System won two DAME awards at the METS 2008 in Amsterdam. These marine equipment awards are made each year to the best design and technology exhibited at METS. 

The original System won the DAME award for Most Eco-friendly Product and a Special Mention in the marine electronics category.

What makes the System superior to other forms of antifouling?

There are several aspects of the Blue & Green System that differentiate it from other ultrasonic antifouling devices that are available.

1. It is designed specifically for the marine environment, not derived from other applications designed for less onerous environments.
2. It is engineered to marine standards by a UK Government Ministry of Defence  with all components, cabling and assembly techniques complying with those standards
3. It is not necessary to apply an antifouling coating in conjunction with the System
4. The System is completely waterproof, not merely water resistant
5. The requirement that the System be fitted by a qualified marine technician satisfies the conditions of certain marine insurance policies and mortgage contracts.
6. The System is being submitted to an extended scientific testing regime.
7. The operation of the transducer pod and System is silent.
8. The System is designed for low power consumption.  Innovative technologies enable it to adapt to the vessel in which it is installed and the environment in which the vessel is operating and thus always to   It is programmed to operate at optimum intervals for the environmental conditions in which the vessel is located.
9.  Blue & Green Marine has applied for patents relating to technological innovation.

 The next generation of marine antifouling

Blue & Green Marine’s original use of ultrasound marked a sea change in the technology of antifouling.  Its latest highly innovative and intelligent system represents a further major step forward in design and capability.   It’s a simple, effective, adaptive antifouling solution that is environmentally sound and can pay for itself within two years.

Designed in the first instance by British marine engineers and manufactured to UK Ministry of Defence specifications, the Blue & Green Marine system  has been developed to a new level of innovation and performance in conjunction with our Australian partners. We lead the way in antifouling.

         Features

         How it works

         FAQs

 

Features

         Engineered to the highest standards

         Suited to most vessels

         Professional installation

         Minimal power requirement

         No impact on onboard electronics or anodes

         In brief

 

Engineered to the highest standards

The Blue & Green Marine System was designed in the first instance by British marine engineers and was manufactured by UK Ministry of Defence contractors.  Further highly innovative design and development work has been carried out in conjunction with our experienced Australian marine electronics partners.

State-of-the-art manufacturing technologies deliver unparalleled performance and a product built specifically for the demanding marine environment.  The System automatically determines the correct frequency to ensure effective antifouling throughout the hull taking into account hull material and internal structures as well as variable environmental factors such as ambient air and water temperatures.

Blue & Green Marine’s System is built to ISO N9001-2000 quality standards.  The original system underwent successful extended trials at the UK National Oceanography Centre. The latest model has already delivered similar positive results during over a year’s intensive trials in some of the hottest and most challenging environments in the world.

Suited to most vessels

The Blue & Green Marine System is effective on, aluminum, steel, GRP and carbon fibre hulls.  New, innovative intelligent technology enables Blue & Green Marine to carry out an evaluation of any hull and predict, with supporting evidence to the owner or operator ahead of purchasing, the suitability of the hull for an ultrasound solution, and its expected performance.

This substantially reduces the “wait and [i]see” factor that was inevitable until an intelligent and predictive solution could be designed.  Wood has been regarded as unsuitable as a hull material in the context of ultrasound because it tends to absorb the signal.  However, our evaluation process would permit a quick assessment in suitable cases.

The system is designed for use on commercial and leisure craft. The number of transducers required and their optimum location will vary according to the size and design of each vessels.  Our intelligent System enables accurate prediction of best positioning and the number of transducers required to achieve full coverage of the hull and underwater equipment.

The new model identifies the impact on ultrasound transmission through the hull of all the variable factors such as hull materials, structures, welds, bulkheads and the like as well as the variable environmental factors such as air and water temperature.  The System then adapts itself and delivers the optimal performance at that time and location for that hull.

Though best installed on a new or recently cleaned hull, the system can have a cleaning effect on fouled hulls as well as inhibiting new algal growth.

Professional installation

Blue & Green Marine’s agents and dealers will advise on the optimum configuration for your vessel and oversee installation to the highest standards.

The ultrasonic transducers are either bonded or welded to the inner surface of the outer hull and are connected to the control unit positioned in an accessible location. No through-hull fixings are necessary.

Minimal power requirement

The most efficient operating cycle for each boat is determined by the installer at the time of final testing of the System. 

Because the System ensures that the transducers are always driven at the optimum frequency effective antifouling can be achieved without the System being “always on”.  Instead the System is dormant between operating cycles, thus minimizing power consumption.  When the transducers are driven the current draw will be a maximum of 0.8A, with a dormant draw of 0.02A. 

The System is available in 12volt and 24volt versions, with automatic switching between battery and shore power. 

 No impact on onboard electronics or anodes

The unit is silent - there are no clicks from the transducer pods. Trials conducted by the UK National Oceanography Centre show that the system does not interfere with other onboard electronics or affect the boat’s anodes.

In brief

         Manufactured in Australia to ISO 9001-2000 and equivalent          standards

         Works on aluminium, steel, GRP, and Carbon Fibre                  Operates silently

         Low maximum current drain (0.8 amps)

         Adaptive automatically to different environments

         [Switches automatically between 12V, 24V, 110V and 240V]

         Omni-directional range of up to 10 metres subject to hull          materials and construction

         No need for acid-etch to prime gel-coat

         No harsh cleaning required, giving increased gel-coat life

         Largely maintenance free

         No through-hull fixings

 

How it works

         Better performance and lower maintenance costs

         Hard on algae; harmless to the environment

         The power of ultrasound

         Patents pending

         Scalable to the commercial market

 

Better performance and lower maintenance costs

The removal of fouling on a permanent basis means the regular chore of lifting boats out of the water, scrubbing, and painting with toxic antifouling coatings is no longer necessary.  Free of fouling, boats have substantially less drag, resulting in greater fuel efficiency.

With a System professionally installed by Blue & Green Marine’s certified marine dealers, your boat’s hull will stay as clean as the day it was launched.

Hard on algae; harmless to the environment

With the Blue & Green Marine System, your boat’s hull will be kept clear of algae, slime, weeds, worms and shellfish without the use of poisonous biocides that leach into the water and leave a toxic chemical legacy.  The days of environmentally unfriendly antifouling paints are numbered.

The hull is surrounded with a shield of ultrasound-induced cavitation, creating an environment that algae and bacteria find uninhabitable.

The power of ultrasound

The Blue & Green Marine System uses ultrasound to create an environment on the underwater surface of the hull of a boat or ship which prohibits bio-film growth. This prevents the attachment of algae and consequently, the underside of the vessel does not foul. No contaminants or pollutants are used or created and the ultrasonic pulses are harmless to fish and inaudible to marine mammals.

The science has been known for many years but until recently it has not proved possible to achieve predictable and consistent results on the whole of the underwater surface of a boat and its stern- and other gear. By combining optimal frequency and optimal timing of the operation of the transducers, Blue & Green Marine’s engineers have solved the problem.

The key to its efficiency lies in the destructive power that ultrasound can have at a microscopic level.  The ultrasonic transducers create a finely tuned pulse of ultra high frequency sound waves in the hull.  These waves cause cavitation in the water abutting the hull and this induces damage to the cell walls of the single-celled organisms that form a layer or ‘biofilm’ around all objects immersed in water.  The fierce cavitation disrupts the cells’ structure but is harmless to a boat’s gel-coat or other painted finishes.

With the algae unable to develop, the first link in the food chain is removed and larger, more complex organisms – weed, worms, and shellfish – are unable to colonise.  The hull, keel, rudder, prop-shaft, propeller, thrusters, water intakes and through-hull transducers remain clean.

Patents pending

Patents have already been granted or are in process to protect the novel technologies developed for the system.

Scalable to the commercial market

The Blue & Green Marine System in its present form is ideally suited both for commercial and work boats and for the larger leisure boat market.

In the large commercial market (merchant ships, tankers, barges, etc), steel hulls, simple hull profiles and substantial power generation capacity are all factors suited to the System.

 

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

         The Hull Protection System

         Potential impact on my boat

         Environmental impacts

         Traditional antifouling

         Installation and maintenance

         Costs and return on investment

         Blue & Green Marine’s track record

 

The Blue & Green Marine System

What is the System?

Blue & Green Marine’s System is an environmentally sound solution for the perennial problem of fouling on boat hulls.  It uses ultrasonic pulses to keep the boat’s hull clear of algae, slime, weeds, worms and molluscs, making redundant the use of environmentally unfriendly antifouling coatings, which may leach toxic chemicals into the water.

How does the System work?

The ultrasonic transducers are located in flanges that are either bonded or welded to the inner surface of the outer hull and connected to a control unit in an accessible location.  A finely tuned pulse of ultra high frequency sound waves is transmitted through the hull, surrounding it with a shield of ultrasound-induced cavitation (microscopic bubbles) that disrupt the cell structure of algal slime - the first link in the food chain of fouling organisms.   Without the presence of the bio film created by algae, more complex organisms are deterred from colonising the hull, keel, rudder, prop-shaft, propeller, thrusters or water intakes.

Does the System work on all hulls?

The Blue & Green Marine System is recommended for use on aluminium, steel, GRP and carbon fibre hulls.  Our installers will recommend the correct transducers, which are manufactured in both aluminium and steel.

As wood tends to absorb the ultrasound, results on wooden hulls may not be satisfactory but our pre-installation evaluation process will establish the likely level of performance, if any,  that can be achieved.

Where our evaluation process identifies poor ultrasound transmission through the hull because of, for example, a sound absorbing core fill, we may recommend removing the sandwich material to allow the transducers to be bonded to the inner surface of the outer hull.

Is the System totally waterproof?

Yes, the Blue & Green Marine System is engineered to marine standards and is totally waterproof. However, we do not recommend installation in an area that remains flooded for extended periods.

Will the System clean a hull that is already fouled?

The Blue & Green Marine System is not designed as a hull cleaning system for a fouled hull. However once installed on such a hull the ultrasonic waves may kill existing algae and prevent more from attaching. Though the dead algae will wash off in normal conditions, barnacles and other stubborn growth will require manual removal.  The next hull cleaning will certainly be much easier.

We recommend installation on a clean hull, which will then stay clean indefinitely.

Will the System prevent barnacles attaching to the hull?

Yes.  With no algae on the hull, the food source for larger organisms is removed.  However, the System will not remove existing barnacles cemented to the hull.

Does the System work in both salt water and fresh water?

Yes.  Algal slime, weed growth and parasites occur in both salt and fresh water and though the types differ, they are susceptible to ultrasound.

How effective is the System?

Trials were conducted with the original System on a heavy GRP hull by the University of Southampton's School of Ocean and Earth Science at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton over a period of 8 months with encouraging results. The new model has been trialled extensively for more than a year in some of the harshest fouling environments in the world and has delivered excellent results in line with predictions.

Can I get the System installed in a new build?

Ideally, this is the best time to install the System.  Blue & Green Marine will supply systems and installation support direct to boat builders.  However, it can also be successfully retro-fitted to a clean hull. This should be done by certified marine fitters, approved and trained by Blue & Green Marine and its principal distributors.

Potential impact on my boat

What impact does System have on the hydrodynamics of a yacht?

As the system does not create any protuberances through the hull, there is nothing to affect the laminar flow and there should be no effect on the hydrodynamics of a yacht.  On the contrary, a clean hull will improve hydrodynamics, and polishing the hull will be much easier.

Could a yacht’s rating be changed as a result of installing the System?

No, unless as a result of a modest increase in weight.

Will the System interfere with other electronic devices, e.g. fish finder, sonar?

The System will work alongside your other marine electronics.  The ultrasonic pulses have no affect on the anodes or other electrical or electronic devices.   There may be a slight increase in background noise on a fish finder, but its accuracy will be unimpaired.  These effects have been supported by our trials with the National Oceanography Centre at Southampton.  If you are concerned, the system can be easily switched off whilst you are fishing or the relevant frequencies can be excluded so as to avoid potential interference although none has yet been experienced.

Can ultrasonic waves weaken metal welds, bulkhead joins or through-fittings?

There are no signs of the System having any impact on the strength of metal welds, bulkhead joins or through hull fittings.  Ultrasonic devices with higher and stronger frequencies than those generated by the Blue & Green Marine System have been used on marine craft for many years, with no detrimental effect.

Does the System work effectively on a boat with a very large / complex hull or keel?

The more complex the hull shape the more critical the placement of the transducers.  The number of transducers required to ensure a perfect result may increase.  The new innovative and intelligent Blue & Green Marine system allows a pre-installation evaluation and better predicts optimal positioning and transducer numbers to achieve a successful result.  No two hulls are actually identical even where there are two apparently identical hulls! Our agents and distributors will assess your boat before providing a quotation.

Environmental impacts

What makes the System environmentally sound?

The Blue & Green Marine System brings three major benefits to the environment.  First, it eliminates the need for the use of copper-based paints or biocide-laced coatings to deter fouling.  Such paints and coatings leach toxic chemicals into the water and are harmful to marine life.  Second, by preventing algae from attaching to the hull, weeds and other organisms are not spread as your boat moves through the water.  Third, with a clean hull, your boat will have less drag in the water, improving hull performance and maximising efficiency and minimizing fuel consumption.

Does the System affect marine life?

Ultrasonic pulses are known to be harmless to fish and inaudible to marine mammals, as a fish finder is.  When fixed to a fouled boat, the System has attracted fish, which like to nibble the dead algae.  But it cannot guarantee a successful catch!

How much noise does it make?

The operation of the transducers is physically silent. There are no clicks or noises from the transducer pods.

What is the extent of the potential saving on fuel?

We cannot quantify the saving on fuel; this is will depend on the boat and its use together with a number of other external factors.  However, with a consistently clean hull you are certain to see an improvement in fuel consumption and a more consistent speed performance over the life of the boat.

Traditional antifouling

Will I need to continue to use copper based paints?

No.  One of Blue & Green Marine’s primary objectives is to eliminate the use of environmentally harmful copper based paints.  With our System professionally installed and fully functioning, you will never again need to treat your vessel with a copper based paint.

Do copper based paints really harm the environment?

Most antifouling paints are copper based.  Dissolved copper is potentially toxic to aquatic plants and animals, particularly to fish larvae and other early-stage life.

Will the System work on a vessel with antifouling paint already applied?

Yes, the System will work regardless of whether antifouling paint is present.

My vessel is treated with a non-toxic, non-stick paint. Does this make the System unnecessary?

Non-stick paints are designed to make boats easier and quicker to clean. They do not prevent the growth of marine organisms on hulls. If the System is installed, these organisms will not colonise and so the use of non-stick paints becomes unnecessary.

Installation and maintenance

Can I install it myself?

The System can only be 100% effective if installed correctly following a pre-installation hull evaluation exercise.  A trained and experienced fitter, approved by Blue & Green Marine, is required to ensure installation is perfect and the transducers are placed for optimum effect.

How many transducers will I need to be installed?

Each transducer has a range of up to 10 metres.  The number required, however, depends on the hull composition and structure.  Generally two transducers may be required for boats of up to 30 feet but more may  be needed if the boat has complex stern gear or a large keel.

How long does installation take?

Once the correct configuration has been specified for the boat, fitting is relatively quick.  A two-transducer system could be fitted in half a day.  A four-way system on a larger boat might take up to a day.  The longest part of the installation will often be the running of the cables between the transducers and the control unit, which may be affected by internal fittings and structures.

Does the boat have to be slipped for installation to take place?

No.  The System has no external fittings and so it can be fitted when the boat is in the water. However, we recommend cleaning your boat prior to installation so that the effects of the system are immediately apparent.

How big is the transducer and can it be fitted where space is very limited?

The mounting flange is 140mm in diameter and the height of the transducer when screwed into the flange is 110mm. Each transducer weighs about 1.2kg; the control box is between 0.8kg and 1.2kg and the cable set for a two transducer installation is about 2.7kg.

The transducers are installed below the waterline within the hull of the vessel.  If being retro-fitted, locations may be limited by accessibility but your installer will be able to advice on the best placement.  The control box can be located anywhere where it can be conveniently accessed to check operation of the system and, if necessary, switch it off.

What guarantees and warranties are offered?

The Blue & Green Marine System is covered by a two year warranty, which covers the replacement of faulty components.  Fitting and sign-off by a qualified marine electrician is mandatory to validate the warranty.  An extended warranty can be bought at the time of installation or on expiry of the initial warranty period.

Blue & Green Marine offers a money back guarantee if the system has not materially affected fouling within six weeks of installation by an authorised installer.

How often does the System need servicing?

We are confident that, as long as the System is installed correctly, it will require no maintenance or attention beyond an annual check.

Costs and return on investment

What is the cost of the System, fully installed?

An approximate price list and accessory list is available on request.  The cost will depend on the configuration of the system and the time taken to fit it. This will vary from boat to boat, depending on accessibility and size.  If you contact a Blue & Green Marine agent or distributor, they will advise on the configuration.  In some instances, a survey or sight of boat drawings will be necessary to establish the best places to site transducer units.

What on-going costs can I anticipate?

There should be no on-going costs associated directly with the System, once fully installed.

Blue & Green Marine’s track record

What research has been undertaken to test the System?

Preliminary trials have been conducted by the University of Southampton's School of Ocean and Earth Science at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton over a period of 8 months with encouraging results from the ultrasonic anti-fouling system fitted to a heavy GRP hull.  

The National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, a joint venture of the UK’s Natural Environment Research Council and Southampton University is amongst the most highly regarded centres in the world for ocean and earth sciences and marine technology.

What accreditations or awards has the company received?

The Blue & Green Marine Hull Protection System won two DAME awards at the METS 2008 in Amsterdam. These marine equipment awards are made each year to the best design and technology exhibited at METS. 

The original System won the DAME award for Most Eco-friendly Product and a Special Mention in the marine electronics category.

What makes the System superior to other forms of antifouling?

There are several aspects of the Blue & Green System that differentiate it from other ultrasonic antifouling devices that are available.

1. It is designed specifically for the marine environment, not derived from other applications designed for less onerous environments.
2. It is engineered to marine standards by a UK Government Ministry of Defence  with all components, cabling and assembly techniques complying with those standards
3. It is not necessary to apply an antifouling coating in conjunction with the System
4. The System is completely waterproof, not merely water resistant
5. The requirement that the System be fitted by a qualified marine technician satisfies the conditions of certain marine insurance policies and mortgage contracts.
6. The System is being submitted to an extended scientific testing regime.
7. The operation of the transducer pod and System is silent.
8. The System is designed for low power consumption.  Innovative technologies enable it to adapt to the vessel in which it is installed and the environment in which the vessel is operating and thus always to   It is programmed to operate at optimum intervals for the environmental conditions in which the vessel is located.
9.  Blue & Green Marine has applied for patents relating to technological innovation.