New PowerShark Tool Eats through Biofouling
The PowerShark WB3000, a new rechargeable, submersible handheld tool from Waveblade, Inc., removes barnacles and other unwanted growth in seconds. According to the manufacturer, it delivers a new level of efficiency and safety for shallow dive maintenance work on hulls and marine structures, and works equally as well for land-based projects. The PowerShark capitalizes on a patented resonant wave technology. Oscillating at a 3,000 rpm frequency with additional harmonics, the tool's cleaning head actually breaks the chemical bond between materials.
Euronav Chooses Hempasil for Crude Carriers
Euronav will apply Hempasil, Hempel's silicone fouling release system, to its two ultra-large crude carriers, the TI Asia and the TI Europe. The 1,246 ft. tankers, which have a deadweight tonnage of more than 440,000 tons, will drydock for maintenance and survey later this year. Hempel has worked closely with Euronav, an integrated tanker company which owns and manages a fleet of 36 crude oil tankers, to achieve this breakthrough, said a senior official. The Hempasil specification is guaranteed for five years and has a potential lifetime of a further five years. Hempasil is a silicone-based topcoat with outstanding adhesion properties thanks to Nexus tiecoat technology, which ensures a chemical bond between the epoxy anticorrosion layer and the silicone-based topcoat.