RS Aqua test ClearSignal anti-fouling solution

ClearSignal is a clear non-toxic coating that resists biofouling as a result of the non-stick properties of the coating itself. ClearSignal utilises advanced material technologies and provides a permanent coating that is designed to last the life of the platform or instrument it is protecting. Unlike traditional antifouling systems which rely on active biocides and whose effectiveness degrades with time, ClearSignal remains 100% effective over time.

To demonstrate these properties RS Aqua ran a short test in summer 2019.

The  goal of our deployment was to demonstrate the difference in cleaning time between a Vemco fish tracking receiver coated in ClearSignal and one that had not been coated. We left the receivers deployed at a marine site for as long as the water temperatures were relatively warm to gain the optimum amount of growth. This was for 88 days between 25^th July to 21^st October.

Below we have pictures and a video describing the results.

The first check up on the deployment: 16/09/2019

When we took the receivers out of the water for the final time on 21/10/2019 we were able to fully inspect the biofouling build up on the receivers.

Some examples of marine organisms found on the receivers: copepods, benthic worms, bryozoans

Botryllus schlosseri, commonly known as the star ascidian or golden star tunicate, is a colonial ascidian tunicate that grows on slow-moving, submerged objects, plants, and animals in nearshore saltwater environments.

 

 

 

 

 

The recovered receivers with the coated one on the left

Results

The receiver that had not been coated took 8 minutes and 26 seconds to clean and also required some heavy duty scrapers to remove the barnacles.

The receiver coated in ClearSignal took 1 minute 49 seconds to clean and did not require any heavy duty cleaning.