Please select your home edition
Edition
William Pitt SIR

Antifouling - Copper not so bad after all?

by IBI News/Bob Greenwood on 19 Nov 2006
a query about copper BW Media
New scientific research has cast doubt on the widely-held belief that copper-based antifoulings are a serious risk to marine organisms. The findings of new tests carried out by UK-government agency CEFAS (Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture) on behalf of CEAP (the Copper Antifouling Environmental Programme which is supported by copper producers) were released on November 15 at METS.
According to CEFAS science director Dr Mike Waldock, who presented his group's findings, even though copper has been used as an effective means of keeping boat hulls clear of the marine growth that impairs performance, 'there's an enormous science base, but the fundamental issues haven't been addressed.'

Dr Waldock told IBI: 'Some regulations are loaded in the wrong direction. For example, California is minded to ban copper, but (the regulators) haven't got the risk assessment right.'

He added: 'In the past the measured total units of copper dissolved in water had been shown to be harmful to life, but a previously unknown ratio of copper gets bound up in complexing agents.' These agents render what turns out to be about 80 per cent of the total amount of copper present virtually harmless, he explained. It's only the remaining 20 per cent of labile (unstable copper) that is injurious.
'Previously tests were done in clean sea water, when all the copper types were measured. It was like looking at apples and oranges and coming up with a risk assessment,' said Dr Waldock.

Field tests were carried out under varying conditions by CEFA at four locations around the coast of the UK, including the Hamble river, which with 5,000 boats moored has one of the highest boating densities in the world. They were corroborated by parallel tests in Finland that produced near-identical results.
CEAP has since presented the CEFAS findings to a French inquiry body which is expected to produce a report perhaps late next year that could influence the EC Commission in its framing of a new Biocidal Products Directive (EU).

Duncan Norman concluded: 'We wouldn't give copper an entirely clean bill of health, but its far less harmful than was previously thought. The message is: 'use sensibly'.'
Palm Beach Motor YachtsAllen Dynamic 40 FooterVaikobi Custom Teamwear

Related Articles

2025 Formula Wing Worlds Sardinia day 3
Women's battle heats up in the big waves A change of wind and wave conditions on day three of the Formula Wing World Championships in Cagliari brought a change of fortune for some key players.
Posted on 26 Sep
52 Super Series 2025 Porto Cervo day 4
Sled look to close out regatta win, American Magic Quantum Racing on the cusp of swansong 7th title The penultimate day of racing proved to be a sharp contrast to the two previous days of strong Mistral winds presenting the 13 teams from ten different nations with a different challenge as the conclusion of the 2025 season approaches.
Posted on 26 Sep
Melges 24 Worlds 2025 at Trieste, Italy Day 4
No wind again today, everything will be decided tomorrow The high-pressure system over the Northern Adriatic, and particularly the Gulf of Trieste, left no chance for the 2025 Melges 24 World Championship today, as Day 4 ended without racing.
Posted on 26 Sep
Multihull Cup 2025 Day 1
Allegra takes win in calm but enthusiastic start On what proved a mellow if challenging introduction to the delights of the Multihull Cup for the trio of first timers taking part, it was the Mallorcan event veteran Allegra which showed the fleet the way to go.
Posted on 26 Sep
Offshore Double Handed Worlds Qualifying Race 2
Worlds Apart, Side by Side The second qualification race of the 2025 Offshore Double Handed Worlds started from Cowes, Isle of Wight in a crisp northeasterly, 10 knots under clear skies. But what began as a gentle gradient breeze soon turned into a punishing test of endurance.
Posted on 26 Sep
Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez starts tomorrow
245 competitors vying for 19 trophies Saturday 27 September heralds the start of the 27th edition of Les Voiles de Saint-Tropez. A great many of the Société Nautique de Saint-Tropez's 245 guests have already made the famous port in France's Var department.
Posted on 26 Sep
Sailors shift focus to The Ocean Race Atlantic
The new transatlantic race connects two iconic cities - New York and Barcelona As The Ocean Race Europe came to a close in Montenegro, sailors and teams started to turn their attention to the next event in The Ocean Race calendar - The Ocean Race Atlantic: New York to Barcelona.
Posted on 26 Sep
SailGP and America's Cup on collision course
Serious schedule clashes ahead as a group of professional sailors try to serve two masters. The tectonic plates of the sailing world, SailGP and America's Cup, are a collision course, with the Big Bang expected in 2027, when there is expected to be some serious schedule clashes as a group of professional sailors try to serve two masters.
Posted on 26 Sep
SY Doris Takes a Major Step Forward
With Her New MarsKeel Installed In cooperation with the engineer and builder Snediker Yacht Restorations, we produced a high-quality casting. It is approx. 43,000 lb. Snediker has now successfully fitted the keel to the hull and is in the process of installing the keel bolts.
Posted on 26 Sep
2025 Six Metre World Championship Day 4
Three races for both divisions on the penultimate day in Osyter Bay Three races for both divisions on the penultimate day of the 2025 Six Metre World Championships at the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, produced some great competition and a new race winner.
Posted on 26 Sep