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Hull Surface Treatment (HST)

Niche Areas Below The Surface

HST Handheld Applications

NICHE AREAS:  Described as areas which are protected or offer refuge and facilitate the settlement and survival of bio-fouling organisms.  Examples of these niche areas are rudder hinges, bow thrusters, bilge keels, sea chests and rope guards.

Although the bio-fouling levels on any individual vessel may seem insignificant, the capacity of some species with pest potential to successfully breed in large numbers can constitute a threat, and the risk of incursions is multiplied by the frequency of vessel visits.  Prevention of new incursions, by management of vectors to minimise the risk of introduction and translocation enables protection of the marine environment. (Australian Government, 2009)

Hull Surface Treatment (HST) technology has evolved and not only provides an effective anti-fouling treatment to the laminar flow areas of commercial shipping, but is now capable of applying thermal shock to those niche areas described above.  In response to numerous meetings with State and Federal regulators and at the request of Federal authorities, and in consideration of the IMO’S and the Australian Government’s Clean Oceans Policy , Commercial Diving Services has developed a new and effective HST technology specifically designed to terminate tertiary fouling .  This more specialised and detailed treatment does require diver intervention using a much smaller hand-held HST thermal application.

The HST Niche applicator (HSTNA) is a lightweight, portable and adaptable device able to effectively negotiate the various shapes and angles associated with Oil Rigs, off-shore structures, sea-chests, bow thrusters, rope guards, sea inlet pipes and overboard discharge.  This process is capable of delivering a fatal ‘thermal shock’ to all levels of bio-fouling and is identical in terms of the patented technology established for Hull Surface Treatment (HST) technology.
The National Strategy For Introduced Marine Pest Research and Development 2006-2016 clearly identifies the impact marine pests can have on the environment, economic and social health worldwide.   This strategy identifies the three main elements of the National System as prevention, emergency management and ongoing management and control.  The underlying philosophy of Hull Surface Treatment (HST) technology is one of proactive treatment of all laminar flow areas, and at the same time treating the Niche areas with the much smaller HSTNA.  If this process is undertaken on a regular programmed basis, the risks associated with marine pest incursion can be significantly reduced.   However, the HST (patented) technology can also be used in a reactive scenario where there is a bio-security risk identified. 

Research and development undertaken by Commercial Diving Services Pty Ltd proved that a Diver- operated hand-held thermal application will deliver terminal and permanent eradication of the target species.  The design of the hand-held application allows for variable temperature control (50 to 90 degrees C) delivered at the interface.  
Commercial Diving Services Pty Ltd acknowledges the importance of dealing with bio-fouling at its infant/juvenile growth cycle.  A pre-emptive and proactive strike at infant/juvenile bio-fouling as part of a programmed maintenance regime will reduce the environmental risks.  As a primary provider of repair and maintenance services to the shipping industry, Commercial Diving Services has encountered bio-fouling at its various levels on thousands of occasions.  Our expertise in this area is what underpins Hull Surface Treatment (HST) technology and advancement into the treatment of Niche areas on commercial vessels, oil rigs and off-shore structures.  A risk management approach to reducing the likelihood of introducing and translocating marine pests and preventing marine pest incursions is often more cost effective, technically feasible and practicable than attempting to control and eradicate new or long-established populations.  However, Hull Surface Treatment (HST) technology now offers the flexibility and is adaptable and responsive to the more serious threats posed by established marine pests.

Hull Surface Treatment (HST) technology offers solutions to several key priorities in vector management, as identified at 3.1 in the National Strategy for Introduced Marine Pest Research and Development 2006-2016.  V5 identifies the need to develop new treatment options for non-ballast vectors and methods to assess their effectiveness and V4 relates to the effectiveness of current treatment options for non-ballast vectors.  Both these Vector Management R&D requirements are identified as High Priority. 

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