Abstract

 Internal seawater systems (ISS) are essential to a maritime vessel's efficient operation. On board ships, sea water is pumped for a variety of purposes, notably for water provision, cooling capacity, and temperature control (e.g., air conditioners, and electrical systems) (e.g., drinking, firefighting, steam, and ballast). Even while sea water may only briefly enter a ship's internal space system (ISS), it can spread bacteria and macroorganism larvae throughout the system, causing biofouling accumulation that may compromise system integrity or performance. ISS has the ability to support biological invasions by acting as a sub-vector of species translocations. Reports and studies of ISS biofouling are scarce, and much of the specialized literature is decade’s old, due to the difficulty of accessing ISS interior components. The effects of biofouling on ISS and vessel operations are based on increased pipework and equipment surface roughness, constrained water flow, corrosion and component impingement, decreased surface functional efficiency, and potential pathogen contamination that may be harmful to aquatic life and humans. Antifouling coatings and marine growth prevention systems are the key tools used to regulate biofouling, but there are few reliable and easily accessible studies on how effective these systems are in ISS. The level of biofouling in the ISS of the current commercial fleet and the effectiveness of preventative devices need more investigation. Ultimately, decisions based on this information can help ship operators operate more efficiently and guarantee that any potential biosecurity hazards are properly managed

Keywords:  Biofouling; Internal Seawater Systems (ISS); Macroorganism; Fresh water