Monitoring of barnacle growth on the underwater hull of an FRP boat using image processing

In this research, photos of barnacles were analysed using image processing. The images of barnacles were taken from the CITRA MOSTI boat made from fibre-glass reinforced plastic (FRP) for monitoring purpose. The photos were taken within a period of three (3) months. Results showed that the barnacles' growth in terms of their size and quantity might be due to the effect of saltwater. Results obtained through SCILAB programming were analysed and comprehensive data were tabulated. From images recorded on February 2013, it was observed that the barnacles had been growing aggressively achieving the highest pixel count of 3000 as compared to images captured in December that only amounted to 2600 pixels. The barnacles were growing at a rate of approximately 10% from the first image analysis. The highest recorded pixels were in the month of the March 2013, attaining about 3500 pixel counts. These changes in growth rate throughout the stipulated period may be due to numerous factors such as the fluctuating of seawater temperature and weather. © 2013 The Authors