Page 19: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (August 1999)

IMO: TBT Ban Could Have Adverse Effects

The International Maritime Organiza- tion (IMO) held its 43rd session of the

Marine Environmental Protection Com- mittee (MEPC) from June 28th through

July 1st. Delegates to the MEPC were expected to consider a proposal to ban the application of tributyltin (TBT) self- polishing copolymer paints by the year 2003.

At the previous MEPC session in

November 1998, delegates prepared a draft resolution that calls for a ban on the application of TBT by 2003 and a ban on its use by 2008. These dates were designated based on the assump- tion that viable alternatives would be available on the market. However, since

November, serious questions have been raised concerning the possible adverse environmental effects and the availabili- ty of suitable alternative paints.

Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that any product equal in effectiveness or longevity (with a 60-month guaran- teed painting interval) to TBT-based paints will be available for use by Janu- ary 1, 2003. At the last meeting of the

U.S. delegation to the MEPC in May, several ship companies produced evi- dence that existing alternatives yield poor results, and environmental data on alternative biocides is very limited, with the potential environmental risks still unknown.

In the U.S. existing alternative paints do not meet Volatile Organic Com- pounds (VOC) emissions restrictions, and notably reformulation of those paints to meet existing regulation would take-up to five additional years of field-

New Checklists To Offer

Reduced Coating Damage

New checklists outlining the proper use of tank coatings are currently being issued by German shipbuilder, Aker

MTW Werft to purchasers of its chemi- cal tankers. The checklists, which are the first of their kind, will aid in the reduction of damage to tanker coatings through improper use.

The three A4-sized checklists outline proper procedures for cleaning and ven- tilating tanks, and loading and discharg- ing cargoes.

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NACE International Announces

New Dates And Locations

NACE International, The Corrosion

Society, announces new dates and expanded seaboard locations for its well-known Marine Coating Inspection

Course.

The three-day program, which is intended to assist ship owners and oper-

August, 1999 21 testing in order to demonstrate effec- tiveness.

In contrast, TBT is VOC-compliant, and numerous long-term studies con- firm that levels of TBT in water, sedi- ments, and aquatic life continue to decline. Current data indicates that reg- ulations have been successful in limiting the levels of TBT.

The Executive summary provided at the conference states, "In addressing the proposal to ban the use of all TBT-based paints in 2003, the IMO must consider the potential adverse effects of a prema- ture ban. An increase in the usage of unproven alternative anti-fouling sys- tems could lead to the following:

Increase in invasive species, which lead to serious environmental and economic damage, higher fuel consumption lead- ing to an increase in air pollution, accel- erated levels of blasting ship hulls in order to comply with the 2003 date, higher emission levels of Volatile

Organic Compounds (Voices) released into the air and higher levels of copper released into the environment.

Maritime Design, Inc.

The Double Hull Solution in retrofit technology U.S. Patent

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Circle 261 on Reader Service Card

HEAVY-DUTY SIGNALS by ^en^

Model S-120 Piston Horn

Chosen for use on aircraft carriers as well as commercial vessels over 200 meters in length, the S-120 utilizes an oscillating piston driven by 7-1/2 horse- power 3 phase 220/440 volt electric motor producing 143 dB and a funda- mental frequency of 94 Hz in 1/3 octave band at one meter.

Kahlenberg Signals were developed to withstand the pun- ishing use of commercial and military service. Their dura- bility has been demonstrated over decades of service on ocean-going vessels ranging from naval warships to com- mercial vessels. Military specifications have required extensive testing for many of these whistles and the accessories supplied with them, which have proven the exceptional qualities of Kahlenberg design and manufac- turing.

OTHER QUALITY KAHLENBERG

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FAiRWATERS, PROPELLER REBUILDING, PRO-

PELLERS UP TO 120"DIA, SHAFTS, COUPLINGS,

BEARINGS, STUFFING BOXES, AIR COMPRESSORS,

SOLENOID VALVES, USCG- ASME AIR RECEIVERS,

FOG SIGNAL TIMERS, WHISTLE LIGHTS, AUTOMATIC

AND AT WILL CONTROLS. •

KAHLENBERG BROTHERS COMPANY

P.O. Box 358, 1966 MONROE ST.

TWO RIVERS, WISC. 54241

PHONE: (920) 793-4507

CABLE: KAHLENBERG

FAX: (920) 793-1346

MARINE PRODUCTS SINCE 1895

Model S-203C S-203 CHT

For vessels over 75 meters in length, this design allows both whistles to exceed 143 dB (1/3 octave band). The S-2036 and

S-203 CHT are virtually mainte- nance free Durability is ensured by the use of bronze and marine aluminum construction materials through out. For the most extreme cold weather operation,

Model S-203 CHT (shown) includes a thermostatically con- trolled, heated enclosure for both the combination manual/electric valve, and the horn sounding body.

Circle 277 on Reader Service Card