A water system filter prevents harmful pollutants from entering the sea.
While there’s no questioning the devastating effect an oil spill can have on the marine environment, even a single drop of diesel in half a liter of water can cause surface pollution at about 40 parts per million (ppm), causing the “blueshine” when oil or diesel can be seen on the water surface. And tiny waste particles can be ingested by fish and other wildlife.
A study by E-A Earth Action revealed that paint particles account for 58 percent of all microplastics in the ocean and waterways, outweighing all other sources of microplastic leakage.
“Paint and resin particles are released from general wear and tear of using a boat, as well as when maintenance occurs, and it’s inevitable that these will end up washing down into the bilges,” says Paul Gullett, managing director at Wave International.
To prevent polluted bilge water from entering the marine environment, contaminants like oil, fibers and microplastics can be removed by installing a filter in the bilge water system. The Wavestream filter is fitted between the pump and overboard outlet and keeps bilge water discharge within legal output limits. It ensures the highest standard of five ppm is achieved.
Paul says that the filter media within Wavestream filter cartridges have an affinity for hydrocarbons such as oils and fuels, and these bond to the matrix of the filter and remain trapped within the cartridge.
“When the cartridge is spent, it stops removing the contaminants but still allows bilge water to pass through. The primary Wavestream systems need to be part of a maintenance schedule such as with engine oil filters,” he says. “However, because the Wave MiniBOSS is a monitored IMO (MEPC.107(49)) unit, it must automatically shut off the overboard discharge and it alarms when the legal limit is achieved for that region.”
Using the same technology, Wave International has released the new Wavecleaner VAC, a portable system to clean up oil, diesel and other pollutant spills. The water is sucked through the system, removing pollutants to five ppm, with clean water being emitted and the pollutants captured in the filter for safe disposal — designed for a fast-response solution for spills at boatyards and marinas.