On April 22, we tested the Marine Debris Sweeper 450, and it was quality assured/documented by SALT Lofoten AS.
Purpose of the test:
The collection and holding capacity of the MDS 450 under realistic but limited operating conditions, in addition to testing the deployment and operation of the MDS.
Completion of test
There were 4 boats involved;
Boat No.1 and Boat No. 2 were connected to the MDS 450 for propulsion, one for each boom arm. Boat No. 3 released marine debris for the tests and was manned by a test leader, photographer and boat driver. Boat No. 4 was an observer and auxiliary boat. All boats communicated via VHF radio.
12 100 litter bags with rubbish were released as well as 100 litres of roots/branches, a fish net and a wooden pallet the size of a euro pallet.
The composition of garbage is not random. The goal has been to have similar rubbish as seen in the sea surface in the Java Sea in Indonesia. It is put together based on the results of a study done on available literature and gathered experiences from people who have visited Indonesia.
-
- Photo: Dispose of marine debris between boom arms
-
- Photo: Collecting marine debris in the trawl bag
Test result:
MDS showed good results in the sea, 98.3% of all marine plastic waste
was collected.
Very good test results for collecting liquid waste.
In many parts of the world, the density of liquid plastic waste in the ocean is a major problem. LoVeMar has developed a surface trawl (sweeper) that will be able to collect such waste in an efficient way. Both Innovation Norway and Handelens Miljøfond have contributed development funds to the product, which has been through several development stages. At the beginning of May, SALT AS in Svolvær was engaged to document the recording capacity of the MDS 450, the largest of the sweepers ever made. The test was carried out in the sea outside Fiskebøl, with the necessary permits. 1.2 cubic meters of mixed plastic rubbish was released into the sea, mixed with, among other things, a fishing net, branches and a wooden euro pallet. The composition of waste is based on typical deposits in Asia.
Liquid waste collection is not as easy as it seems. A problem is often that the waste either goes over the edge or follows the water flow on the underside and escapes. The test showed that the construction worked as intended, and as much as 98.3% of the waste was collected. The next step will be to equip the sweeper with a paravan (trawl door) so that it can be operated with only one boat.