BOATS & GEAR
PRODUCT ROUNDUP
Major props Propspeed’s foul-release coating for commercial vessels By Brian Hagenbuch
ew Zealand’s Propspeed, an underwater coatings leader, is looking to expand its presence in the commercial market with the new Commercial Kit, which includes enough coating for more than 153 square feet of metal surface below the waterline. Propspeed’s CEO Chris Baird said the new, larger kit came from more and more interest from larger commercial boats, including fishing vessels. “We’ve seen tremendous interest in our product line in the commercial space. Whether a fishing boat, ferry, tug or luxury yacht, owners, operators and shipyards around the world are applying Propspeed for the protection from growth and corrosion it provides. We decided to offer our established product in a more convenient package for these
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vessels and look forward to making it just a little easier for marine industry professionals to purchase and apply the best foul-release coating,” Baird said. Propspeed’s ultraslick coating is designed to prevent marine growth and corrosion on metal in propellers, as well as struts and shafts and other underwater metals. The coating, which includes an etching primer and a clear coat, bonds to metal surfaces, making them slick and growth-free. This helps achieve optimal speed, save on fuel, and prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species from region to region. Many fishermen have been using Propspeed as an easy way to increase efficiency. Andrew Stark, CEO for Ocean Fisheries, said Propspeed has become routine maintenance for the vessels in his fleet.
The underwater coating improves efficiency.
“The benefits of Propspeed are definitely noticeable in terms of a much cleaner propeller when we haul the vessel for survey, maintenance and repairs. Application of Propspeed has now become a must-do job at all haul-outs,” Stark said. Tuna skipper Bob Cook, from National Geographic’s show “Wicked Tuna,” has also had success with Propspeed. “Last season, I had Propspeed products applied on my wheel, rudder, underwater lights and transducer. Fat Tuna looks as fresh hauling out as the day she went in for the season,” Cook said. PROPSPEED www.propspeed.com
Mesh connect Inmarsat weaves networks for faster connectivity By Brian Hagenbuch
nmarsat has announced two new technologies to improve connectivity on the water: Orchestra, a “network of networks,” and a new global narrowband network called Elera, which is a component of Orchestra. Orchestra will tie GEO, LEO and 5G into “one harmonious solution,” according to Inmarsat, creating what the company calls a dynamic mesh network to deliver high-speed connectivity anywhere in the world. “By combining the distinct qualities of GEO, LEO and 5G into a single network, we will deliver a service that is far greater than the sum of its parts. Our customers will benefit from dramatically expanded high-throughput services around the world,” said Inmarsat’s CEO
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Rajeev Suri. According to Eric Griffin, the vice president of Inmarsat’s offshore and fishing division, Orchestra will solve critical slowdowns at crowded ports, where boats often need connectivity the most. “Orchestra will eliminate the industry-wide challenge of congested hot spots, such as fishing ports like Dutch Harbor and Seattle. It delivers the highest average speed, lowest latency and provides a unique resilience for missioncritical applications of any network, planned or existing. Through its use of a unique multidimensional dynamic mesh network, which integrates both space-based technologies and terrestrial networks, Orchestra also enables
Orchestra and Elera will help keep fishermen connected.
next-generation capabilities for fishing boats such as condition-based monitoring and predictive maintenance,” Griffin said. The Elera network, meanwhile, will provide the reliability and security for required catch reporting as well as vessel monitoring services. Elera’s “unprecedented connectivity,” Griffin added, will keep crews happier with fast, reliable connectivity while improving possibilities for telemedicine on boats. Assets and sensors that monitor refrigeration and fish processing will be connected via these networks. INMARSAT www.inmarsat.com
www.nationalfisherman.com
