Anti-Fouling Paint at Boatspares.ie
Anti-fouling involves using specialised paint on a boat or ship’s hull to prevent sealife from attaching to the hull. Anti-fouling is an extremely important method of boat maintenance, so in this blog, we will take a deeper look at what it is, what regulations surround it, and what products boatspares.ie recommends.
WHAT IS ANTI-FOULING
Anti-Fouling paints are used to coat the bottoms of ships to prevent sealife such as algae & molluscs from attaching themselves to the hull, thereby slowing down the ship, increasing fuel consumption, and potentially causing wear and holes to develop on the hull itself. In the past, lime and arsenic were used to coat ships’ hulls, until the modern chemicals industry developed more effective paints and, in more recent times, less toxic anti-fouling paints.
IRISH LAWS ON ANTI-FOULING
In Ireland, the ‘Sea Pollution Regulations 2008’ set out the original rules & regulations regarding anti-fouling practices, safety regulations, and legal requirements for all boat owners to undertake. Later, in 2012, a Marine Notice from the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport gave notice that the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships - known as the AFS Convention - was to come into force on 20 January 2012.
Previously, all Irish-flagged ships of 400 gross tonnage and over were required to hold an Anti-Fouling Certificate to ensure they had been subjected to and passed inspection to prove they were using Anti-Fouling paints which were below the stipulated harmful levels.
The new regulations from 2012 stated that any Irish-flagged ship which held such a Certificate must replace it with an International Certificate, issued under the AFS Convention. The new convention applies to 3 separate groups:
- Any and all ships of 400 gross tonnages and over
- All ships (including fishing vessels) of 24 metres of greater in length
- All other vessels
In essence, virtually all Irish-flagged boats must meet the anti-fouling requirements set out in the AFS Convention.
BEST ANTI-FOULING PAINTS
With that in mind, it is vital that all boat owners regularly maintain and re-apply anti-fouling paints to the hull of their vessels.
At boatspares.ie we stock a wide range of anti-fouling paints from International Marine Coatings. International Marine produces the industry’s most environmentally sustainable hull management products, including their AFS Convention-approved anti-fouling paints.
Currently at Boatspares.ie, we are offering special discounts on all Anti-Fouling paints and varnishes for a limited time only. Check out our full range on boatspares.ie now while stocks last.