Copper Bottom Paints – A Rational Approach for Marina del Rey

Greg Schem, CEOVictor Espino, Service ManagerHarbor Real Estate Group, LLCApril 24, 2014

Bio-fouling over the YearsTechniques of using copper and pitch date back

to 1500 BC by Carthaginians and PhoeniciansRoyal Navy adds copper to fleet beginning 1770“Copper-Bottomed”: dependable, trustworthyIron Hulled Ships, electrolysis issuesStrong Biocides: TBT, Lead, ArsenicNew Biocides: Non-Copper vs Biocide Free

ConfusionEconea, Zinc, Soft bottoms, ultrasound,

nanotechnology

Copper Bottom

Bio-Fouling Organisms

California Regional Water Quality Control Board (“RWQCB”)2006: Portion of MDR is Designated as an “Impaired Waterway”2014: Reconsideration Meeting, All of MDR designated Impaired along

with SedimentCopper, Lead, Zinc, Chlordane, DDT, BCB’s, etc.Problem for: Water Contact, Shellfish Harvesting, Commercial and

Sportfishing, Wildlife Habitat, Marine, Habitat.10 years to Reduce Copper by 85%Potentially Dredge Entire Marina One Foot Deep: 1.7 million cubic feet Push to Non-Biocide PaintsAB 425: Leech rates and reformulation recommendations.Stripping Bottoms to accommodate Non-biocide PaintsBMP’s for DiversEconomic Analysis by RWQCB

Stripping BottomsCopper Bottom

Stripping Copper Waste

Bottom Paints BasicsBiocide Paints:

CopperOther metalsOther biocides (Econea, Irgarol, snake oil)

Non-Biocide Paints:Hard bottom Soft bottom silicates (Intersleek)Slip liners

Slip LinersOnly relocates bio-fouling to the bottom of the liner which will become very heavy and difficult to haul and clean. Also, pesticides used in the liner can be released into the environment and liners are primarily for smaller vessels.

How do Copper Bottom Paints Work?Cu+ and Cu+2 ionSelf Polishing or Ablative actionBio-Availability and ToxicityTotal Copper vs Biotic Ligand Model (“BLM”)Biocide of Choice?Kills most invasive speciesCA Department of Pesticide Regulation

(“DPR”)

Paints Currently In Use at The BoatYardProduct Name

Paint Type

Require Stripping

Biocide Concentration of Biocide

Cleaning Frequency

Estimated Life (Months)

Approx. Retail Cost/gal

Protector Std. Copper No Cuprous Oxide 53.3% monthly 18-36 $219

Trinidad Pro Std. Copper No Cuprous Oxide/Irgarol 60%/2%

monthly 18-36 $286

Hydrocoat Low Copper No Cuprous Oxide (water based)

40.3% monthly 18-36 $184

Ultima SR 40

Low Copper No Cuprous Oxide/Irgarol 40%/2%

monthly 18-36 $231

Ultima ECO Alt. Biocide Yes Econea/Zinc Omadine 6%/4.8%

3 weeks 10-12 $258

Vivid Low Copper No Copper Thyocianate/Zinc Omadine

25%/2%

3 weeks 12-24 $263

Hydrocoat SR

Low Copper No Cuprous Oxide (water based)

40% monthly 12-36 $223

Hydrocoat Eco

Alt. Biocide No Econea/Zinc Omadine 6%/4.8%

3 weeks 10-12 $240

Vivid Free Alt. Metal Yes Zinc Omadine 4.95% 3 weeks 12-12 $273

Horizons Low Copper No Cuprous Oxide 40.5% monthly 18-36 $205

Hydrocoat SR on Hatteras

Issues with Non-Biocide PaintsIncreased expense to strip bottom ($8,000 avg)Increased cost of paintSilicate paints are soft and easily damagedWill not last as long as biocide paintsNo manufacturer warranty and release

required for Hydrosleek by InterluxPotential increase in transport of invasive

speciesRequire more frequent and more extensive

periodic cleaning

Intersleek 900 by Interlux

Three Legs of a StoolIn order for any copper reduction plan to

work it must have three solid legs:Effective Alternatives: Alterntives must be

proven to work in the real world and backed up by strong manufacturer warranty

Boater Buy-In: Boaters must believe this is the right thing to do and in their best interest for the benefit of the environment

Cost Effective: The alternative must be cost effective and readily avaialable.

Implementation IssuesDesignating the County, the Lessees, and

Boat Owners as Potentially responsible Parties (“PRP’s”), Citizen Law Suits under CWA

Enforcement Challenges: Transients, work done at other harbors

Selective Enforcement: MDR Only?!Grants: Sounds good, but….Training Divers

A Reasonable Approach1st: Site specific conditions and the adoption of the

BLM2nd: Analysis of real world impacts on bio-availability,

and benthic study of indicator species3rd: Remove or reduce Impaired Waterway designation

for marinas. Parking lot for boats analogy.4th: Cost Benefit Analysis of copper risk vs carbon foot

print of dredging5th: Combination of low copper paints, alternative

biocides, and reduction in over-protective threshold can achieve compliance.

Thank You from The BoatYard!

(310) 823-8964

Visit Us: TBYMDR.com