CoaST Maritime Test Centre: an investigation of biofouling propensity

The performance of fouling control coatings (FCC) is evaluated based on static exposure on test sites worldwide. There are different standards concerning the evaluation of the performance of the FCC. However, to the knowledge of the authors, there is not a standardized reporting guideline for how to evaluate the test site in which the FCC is exposed. Several factors such as water conditions, seasonal biofouling, and accessibility of sunlight can vary dependent on placement within or between test sites. This in turn makes it difficult to compare the performance of FCC exposed at different locations within a or at another test site. In this study, an analysis of the CoaST Maritime Test Centre (CMTC) has been performed to investigate how geographical orientation and changes in depth influence the biofouling propensity on coated panels. The investigation showed no statistical significance in the biofouling propensity between panels exposed to different geographical orientations at the CMTC. Similarly, no statistical significance was found between panels placed at different depths at the CMTC. If similar reporting was performed at other test sites, a better basis for comparison of FCC worldwide would be obtained, and this could be achieved with a standardized reporting guideline

CoaST Maritime Test Centre: an investigation of biofouling propensity

The performance of fouling control coatings (FCC) is evaluated based on static exposure on test sites worldwide. There are different standards concerning the evaluation of the performance of the FCC. However, to the knowledge of the authors, there is not a standardized reporting guideline for how to evaluate the test site in which the FCC is exposed. Several factors such as water conditions, seasonal biofouling, and accessibility of sunlight can vary dependent on placement within or between test sites. This in turn makes it difficult to compare the performance of FCC exposed at different locations within a or at another test site. In this study, an analysis of the CoaST Maritime Test Centre (CMTC) has been performed to investigate how geographical orientation and changes in depth influence the biofouling propensity on coated panels. The investigation showed no statistical significance in the biofouling propensity between panels exposed to different geographical orientations at the CMTC. Similarly, no statistical significance was found between panels placed at different depths at the CMTC. If similar reporting was performed at other test sites, a better basis for comparison of FCC worldwide would be obtained, and this could be achieved with a standardized reporting guideline