Product Roundup

Major props

Propspeed’s foul-release coating for commercial vessels

By Brian Hagenbuch

ew Zealand’s Propspeed, an N 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 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 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.

Mesh connect

Inmarsat weaves networks for faster connectivity

By Brian Hagenbuch

nmarsat has announced two

Inew 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 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 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.

The underwater coating improves efficiency.

PROPSPEED

www.propspeed.com

Orchestra and Elera will help keep fishermen connected.

INMARSAT

www.inmarsat.com

The new SALMON SISTERS WOMEN’S LEGACY CLOGS are the latest collaboration between XtraTuf and Alaska’s Salmon Sisters. These slip-on clogs come with many of the same features as the staple Legacy Boot from XtraTuf — the classic grippy chevron sole, triple-dipped shells, and hand-layering of material on stress points — but in an easy step-in version. The inside of the boot has the Salmon Sisters puffin print lining. For half-sizes, XtraTuf recommends ordering up. The serrated paring knife from VICTORINOX — affectionately known as a Vicky — is one of the most ubiquitous and indispensable tools on fishing vessels. Now the Swiss knifemaking masters have come out with a foldable version, in both serrated and straight blades. The SWISS CLASSIC FOLDABLE PARING KNIFE, with an ultrasharp, 4.3-inch stainless blade that folds back safely into a polypropylene handle, will find its way into the pockets of thousands of fishermen.

XTRATUF

www.xtratuf.com

VICTORINOX

www.victorinox.com The GRUNDÉNS DILLINGHAM TECH HOODIE offers a more practical alternative under raingear than the traditional cotton sweatshirt. The majority recycled polyester blend — it also has some cotton and spandex — is warm, blocks the wind, and dries faster than all cotton, while the finish beads water. The double layered hood is cozy and adjustable, although the plastic tabs will need to be snipped for net fisheries. The large marsupial hand pocket includes a zippered phone pocket.

GRUNDÉNS

www.grundens.com

VERATRON has introduced the J1939 a single-function gateway module that sends engine and vessel sensor readings to smart phones, tablets, and other digital devices. The module, as part of the growing LinkUp suite, monitors and displays 23 sets of engine data, with standards like fuel and oil levels and specialized readings like fuel pressure and transmission gear. It has 14 supported alarms and is installed with a simple plug-in to the NMEA 2000 backbone. FLUORAMICS has released LOX-8 NF OIL, a low-viscosity, inert PCTFE lubricant that does not fluoresce under black-light inspections. The oil prevents galling on mating surfaces, and can be used for O-rings, seals, and rubber gaskets, as well as for maintaining gas and supplies and filters for laser systems. The LOX-8 oil kit comes in 5-mL container with four microfiber swabs to facilitate thin-film applications. Sets of 25 microfiber swabs are available in larger sizes. There is nothing like a true horn when someone is asleep on anchor in the district. The STAINLESS STEEL TRUMPET HORN from SCHMITT & ONGARO MARINE PRODUCTS put out an arresting tone — the single horn model produces 120 decibels and the double version cranks out 125 decibels — to let your fishing colleagues know you mean business. These horns look good, too, and have stainless steel components inside and out, along with a patented drainage feature.

VERATRON

www.veratron.com

FLUORAMICS

www.fluoramics.com

SCHMITT & ONGARO

www.schmittongaromarine.com