Hyde OptiMarin System Controls Aquatic Nuisances

Hyde OptiMarin LLC, a joint venture of Hyde Marine Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio and OptiMarin A/S of Stavanger Norway, is delivering four new full-scale OptiMar Ballast Water Treatment Systems during 2001, systems designed to control the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species in ship's ballast water. Hyde OptiMarin delivered the first ever full-scale ballast water treatment system using ultraviolet light with cyclonic separation pretreatment for installation aboard the cruise ship "Regal Princess". This system has been operating continuously since May 2000. The first new system was installed in August 2001 aboard the cruise ship "Sea Princess". The 220 ton/hr. system was operational in September and will be the subject of extensive testing by independent researchers during the fall and winter of 2001. The installation is partially funded by the California State Lands Commission (CSLC) and testing is funded by the California State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) Matson Navigation Company will install a 350 ton/hr. capacity system aboard the Panamax containership R. J. Pfeiffer. Piping work was begun during a scheduled drydocking in China and the OptiMar system will be installed in November and December. The Pfeiffer will also take part in the California research project. Princess Cruises will install a 255 ton/hr. OptiMar system on the Star Princess, which is currently under construction at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. The system will be delivered in November 2001. Installation and start up will take place in late 2001 or early 2002. The fourth new system will be delivered for the 12,000 dwt parcel tanker, M/T Stolt Aspiration, which routinely trades between northern Europe and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway. This 250 ton/hr. system is designed to meet explosion proof requirements for installation in the ship's pump room. Piping work began during a drydocking in September and will be completed in the winter of 2001/2002. These "second generation" systems will be of a similar but updated design with improved performance in accordance with the lessons learned aboard the "Regal Princess". The improvements include enhanced solids separation in a redesigned cyclonic separator, higher UV dosage rates, and improved UV transmission capability. The ballast water is treated both during ballasting and deballasting.