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Tag: waste management

Marina Maintenance: How Autonomous Surface Vessels are Making Waves

World Marina – Dec 2024 

In the competitive world of marina management, maintaining pristine waters is more than just an environmental responsibility—it’s a business imperative. Innovative Autonomous Surface Vessels (ASVs) are transforming how marinas approach water cleanliness and environmental stewardship. These cutting-edge technologies offer a compelling solution to the persistent challenge of marine debris and water pollution in marinas.

ASVs can autonomously navigate through marina waters, efficiently collecting floating trash, plastics, and organic matter. Capable of removing significant quantities of waste daily, these vessels substantially reduce the manual labor traditionally required for water maintenance.

One of the key advantages of ASVs is their versatility. Their compact size allows them to access areas between docked boats and in tight corners where traditional cleaning methods struggle to reach. This ensures comprehensive coverage of the marina, leaving no area untouched in the pursuit of cleanliness.

Beyond debris collection, leading ASVs can serve as valuable data-gathering tools. When equipped with sensors, they can monitor water quality parameters in real-time, providing marina managers with crucial information about their aquatic environment. This data can be instrumental in identifying pollution sources and implementing targeted solutions.

The electric-powered operation of many ASVs aligns perfectly with the growing emphasis on sustainability in the marine industry. Their zero-emission functionality not only maintains clean waters but also contributes to a marina’s green credentials, potentially attracting environmentally conscious boat owners and visitors.

Importantly, ASVs operate quietly and unobtrusively, ensuring they don’t disturb marina patrons or wildlife. Their autonomous capability allows for continuous operation, maintaining water cleanliness round the clock without increasing labor costs.

By incorporating ASVs into their maintenance toolkit, marinas can demonstrate their commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility. This cutting-edge technology not only enhances the cleanliness and aesthetics of marina waters but also positions the marina as a leader in sustainable maritime practices.

Key Benefits of ASV Deployment in Marinas:

  • Efficient Debris Removal: Collects substantial amounts of waste daily.
  • Versatile Cleaning: Removes floating trash, plastics, and organic matter.
  • Access to Hard-to-Reach Areas: Cleans between docked boats and in tight spaces.
  • Environmental Data Collection: Possibility to gather real-time water quality data.
  • Autonomous Operation: Reduces labor costs and allows continuous cleaning.
  • Eco-Friendly: Zero-emission operation supports sustainability goals.
  • Non-Disruptive: Quiet operation doesn’t disturb marina patrons or wildlife.
  • Cost-Effective: More efficient than traditional manual cleaning methods.
  • Enhanced Marina Appeal: Maintains clean, attractive waters for patrons.
  • Innovative Image: Demonstrates commitment to cutting-edge solutions.
  • Comprehensive Coverage: Ensures no area of the marina is left uncleaned.
  • Data-Driven Management: Provides insights for targeted pollution solutions.

Autonomous vehicles playing a vital role in waste management

NOVEMBER 5, 2020 BRAND BUZZ

Autonomous vehicles helping in security and ensuring asset protection across public spaces and private organisations is something that we hear of every day. However, very little is known about these vehicles helping in managing waste and even less so of those that run underwater.

From the assessment of the size of a waste pile to the detection of its thermal heat, autonomous vehicles can collect data that are more detailed and insightful than ever. Unlike manned flights, they are a lot more affordable and can acquire equally detailed data. Thus, employing them rather than adopting traditional on-ground inspection method, can not only be cost-effective but time-saving as well, for waste management organisations. In addition to this, in many countries, they are being used to pick up garbage at public places and also identify industrial litterbugs that illegally dump factory wastes. The images and videos captured are used as evidences to take necessary actions against them.

While these are mainly the use-cases of aerial autonomous vehicles, when it comes to waste management, even those that run underwater play an important role. An ideal example is WasteShark by RanMarine Technology, a Netherlands-based tech start-up that specialises in the design and development of industrial autonomous surface vessels for ports, harbours and marine environments.Modelled on the Whale Shark, WasteShark is equipped for waste and data collection underwater, having a swim time of around 10 hours and is capable of cleaning over 500 kg debris a day. Having roped in a number of investors, one of which is the Luxembourg-based investment firm Boundary Holding founded by Rajat Khare, RanMarine has been able to achieve unparalleled feats in the clean-tech sector.

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