Rethinking Marine Vessel

Rethinking Marine Vessel Air Quality - Part Two

David Levesque

Combining two decades of air quality research and improvement, the Kanberra Group had begun to work closely with various areas of the marine industry to better understand the needs of boat owners, yacht captains and crews and provide detailed programmatic solutions to enhance marine experience and vessel maintenance. As mentioned in the last post, it is often accepted among yacht owners that the air inside cabin interiors will always have a certain aroma, a by-product of being out on the water. There is also the accepted existence of mold and mildew, and the inevitable labor that comes with removing it from the yachts after storage and in-between use. Seafarers believe this is the way it has always been, and so it will always be. Today there are many technologies and systems available to help optimize and maintain YAQ. A variety of effective techniques and methods for improving cabin air and interiors not only enhance the well-being of passengers, but also improves the maintenance of the craft itself. There is no need to re-invent the wheel for YAQ. Many air quality solutions have been successfully utilized by the Kanberra Group on US Navy ships and other large vessels, as well as commercial buildings and hospitals. These solutions are easily adaptable to any size marine vessel. 

Already a staple in the Mega-yacht industry, Kanberra Gel is making waves in many marine-related areas, as well as RV and automotive storage. A semi-solid, biodegradable gel composition made with pharmaceutical-grade Australian Tea Tree Oil, Kanberra Gel dissipates into the air to break down mildew, molds, and viruses at the molecular level. Tea Tree Oil is known around the globe as a natural antiseptic most commonly used topically. Thanks to the formula in Kanberra Gel, those same antiseptic and antifungal properties can now be realized though an airborne release. Touted as being able to clean the air while saving money on costly upkeep, Kanberra Gel effectively eliminates mechanical and upholstery
damaging mold and odors while blanketing the cabin with a protective vapor enhancing overall cabin air quality and comfort. Kanberra Gel is packaged in sealed, drip-free plastic containers that are placed either within a yacht’s air handling units, or simply out in the open. Kanberra Gel is currently available at select retailers and distributors and the list is growing to include chandleries all around the Great Lakes. You can also visit www.kanberragel.com for more information.


Filtration

Air filters in your heating and cooling system are an essential component in establishing and maintaining YAQ. The first rule of any air quality management program is “source control”. Remove the contaminants and you improve the conditions. Proper filtration allows for the control and removal of most of those contaminants, thus improving the quality of air flowing through the coil which in turn assists in coil maintenance, reducing duct work debris accumulation and improving air flow. The latter translates into less strain on the air handler 
resulting in higher energy efficiency. Two schools of thought are typically debated for filtration: 1) The denser the filter, the greater the efficiency of absorption, however the larger strain on the air handler or 2) The less dense the filtration the less efficiency of absorption, however the less strain on the motor. Both are true in most cases however what if you could have a dense filter with high absorption but at the same time maintain efficient air flow? Kanberra Group’s exclusive 3-ply antimicrobial filter offers distinct advantages and costs less than pleated filters that can be purchased in discount outlets. With a unique 3-ply construction, Kanberra Filters allow particles to load throughout the depth of the media, from large to small particles without clogging the first layer and reducing air flow. The Kanberra Filters also have an internal wire frame which results in a better fit within the filter rack. This alone reduces bypass found with most cardboard frame filters. Did you know that a ¼ inch gap between a cardboard filter frame and track will leak or bypass 30% of air volume, thus negating the filters purpose and rated filter efficiency? The 3-ply Kanberra Filter seals for 100% LEAK-FREE filtration. Kanberra Filters are also made with 100% synthetic fibers which are not affected at all by moisture and humidity, unlike the traditional cotton-polyester media most commonly used in other filters. Lastly, air filters can be a barrier to micro-organisms and at the same time a collection site for microbial growth. This alone will translate to nasty growth on the A/C coils. Kanberra Filters feature an 
antimicrobial treatment which reduces airborne microorganisms by up to 86.5%. Contact us here for more information on Kanberra Filters.