Rethinking Marine Vessel Air Quality - Part Seven
Combining more than two decades in air quality research and improvement, the Kanberra Group has been working 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. Our goal has been to introduce these solutions one at a time in hopes of providing a broader knowledge base on Yacht Air Quality (YAQ) to the readers.
As mentioned in a past issue, 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.
Kanberra Gel & Filtration
Already a staple in the Mega-yacht industry, Kanberra Gel has been 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. You can visit www.kanberragel.com for more details.
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 ductwork debris accumulation and improving air flow. The latter translates into less strain on the air handler resulting in higher energy efficiency.
Storage Season is Coming…And So is the Mold…
STOP IT Before it Occurs!
David Levesque
First of all, don’t give us a hard time for bringing up the end of boating season. It’s not our fault Mother Nature didn’t exactly play nice this year. Hopefully most of you were able to log some precious time on the water but let’s face facts; haul-outs and shrink wrap are in the near future. So what is your plan this year to combat the moisture and mold that inevitably occurs every off-season? Let me guess; hanging desiccant bags right? Oh wait, those eventually saturate and end up dripping everywhere. What about the moisture buckets? Oh that’s right, we’ve been informed they do the same thing as the bags so you’ve got to place them in the sink, but then that’s no good either because you certainly can’t have any overflow moisture draining into the pipes during freezing temperatures. So that leaves you with the chlorine dioxide pouches. What? You can’t use those within 18” of fabrics, electronics or metals? Well then, where in the name of Neptune are you supposed to put them on a boat? Certainly seems like the options are becoming increasingly limited.
OK, so maybe it seems we’re picking a little too much on the traditional storage methods for preventing moisture and mold. But we must be honest. With all our travels this past year we’re only repeating what we’ve been told by you, the boating public and people in the industry. The overwhelming theme is that you’re running out of options. So let’s look at some facts; storage in the north, barring extenuating weather issues, is going to be anywhere from 5 to 7 months long. During that time the condition of your boat when it’s first stored will be challenged throughout the off-season by an increasingly humid environment, limited ventilation, active mold and bacteria spores waiting for the right chance to nurture and, in some parts of the country, freezing temperatures. And let’s not forget the literal greenhouse created when the above mentioned goodies have the opportunity to bake in the heat.
We’ve already run through the various traditional processes and the recent frustrations associated with them, which are well documented. We know moisture will accumulate in the boat during storage and should be controlled in some way. However we also know that even if we are successful to some degree in removing that moisture most of us will still have mold growth and odor presence in the spring. So now what? Let us suggest you try thinking outside the box a bit. What if we offered a solution in the form of a product that can rid the air of mold, bacteria, fungi and even some viruses, naturally and without any chemicals we might add, and when used during storage will prevent mold growth and odors? That product is Kanberra Gel.
Now before you roll your eyes and think this is just some self-serving promotion read on a bit further. For the past couple years many readers of this publication and your fellow boaters from Maine to San Diego, and Miami to Seattle, have been using Kanberra Gel in storage and throughout the season with well documented success. Originally introduced in 2008 and quickly regarded worldwide in the Mega-yacht industry as a superior, all-natural product to eliminate mold, bacteria and fungi, Kanberra Gel has been experiencing growth across the country in a variety of markets. And we might add, Kanberra Gel not only has an extensive presence in marine, but can also be found in over 400 locations throughout the country ranging from hardware and pet stores, natural foods and holistic pharmacies.
A semi-solid, biodegradable gel composition made with pharmaceutical-grade Australian Tea Tree Oil, Kanberra Gel dissipates into the air to break down bacteria, molds, and fungi 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 are experienced through an airborne release. On boats, this completely natural gel disperses droplets of oil which are then circulated around the vessel. There are no synthetic perfumes or chlorine bleach, just clean air, the way nature intended. We’ve been told by industry experts, very few times before has one product made such an immediate and significant impact on the marine industry. It’s a classic example of problem/solution. Only this time, the solution is so unique and it simply works.
Too good to be true you say? Well we certainly can’t blame you for reacting in that manner. But the facts are what they are. Don’t take my word for it; look online, check with your local marina or even contact us directly. We’re certain you’ll find Kanberra Gel to be the product you’ve been waiting for to protect your investment. Follow us on Facebook or visit www.kanberragel.com for additional information and a complete list of locations. Soft Seas….
How Safe is the Air You Breathe at Sea?
David Levesque
Our readers are serious boaters. But are you as serious about the air quality of your vessel as you are the maintenance? With more than 19 years invested in indoor air quality research and improvement, the Kanberra Group has been working closely with various areas of the marine
industry to better understand the needs of boat owners, yacht captains and crews to provide detailed, programmatic solutions to enhance marine experience and vessel maintenance. As folks discovered, Kanberra Gel proves invaluable in eliminating molds, fungi and bacteria during boat storage periods and equally valuable in maintaining a healthy, mold and odor free environment on board during the boating season.
Available in convenient 2-, 4- and 8-oz.-sized containers, Kanberra Gel is a semi-solid, non-toxic, biodegradable gel made with pure pharmaceutical-grade Australian tea tree oil. When exposed to air, the gel dissipates, effectively breaking down airborne mildew, molds, bacteria and viruses. Unlike other products available on the market today, Kanberra neutralizes odors and impurities in the air, making it safer for everyone on board. And because it’s completely non-toxic and chemical free, it’s safe for kids and pets alike. Use it on the boat, at home, in your car – practically anywhere! Not only does Kanberra Gel improve your air quality, but it also helps save you money. Its natural properties protect HVAC components from mildew and mold growth, as well as penetrate porous materials to prevent mold and mildew damage. Everyone who boats knows mold and mildew are a constant headache, due to dampness and temperature fluctuations. Damage to boat interiors and sensitive electronics can cost thousands to repair or replace. Kanberra Gel is the ideal solution!
For more information and to see a video on the product, visit http://www.kanberragel.com/
