An innovative cross-sector partnership between Project Seagrass, Blue Parameters, and WarrenBoats has enabled the installation of two Advanced Sustainable Mooring Systems (ASMS) at Seaview on the Isle of Wight, relieving pressure on the Island’s important seagrass habitats. Seagrass meadows play a critical role in keeping our oceans healthy and are
An innovative cross-sector partnership between Project Seagrass, Blue Parameters, and WarrenBoats has enabled the installation of two Advanced Sustainable Mooring Systems (ASMS) at Seaview on the Isle of Wight, relieving pressure on the Island’s important seagrass habitats. Seagrass meadows play a critical role in keeping our oceans healthy and are important allies to tackle the global climate and biodiversity crises. Yet the current condition of seagrass in the UK is generally poor due to multiple human pressures, with extensive losses having occurred since the 19th Century. A recent report found the remaining seagrass beds in the Solent to be in an ‘unfavourable’ condition primarily due to nutrient enrichment resulting from water pollution, as well as seabed disturbance caused by commercial fishing and recreational activities including boat anchors. Advanced Sustainable Mooring Systems (ASMS) such as the Mermaid K Advanced Sustainable Mooring System installed at Seaview are a simple solution to prevent and alleviate physical damage to the seabed including seagrass meadows caused by traditional anchorage and mooring. Anouska Mendzil, Senior Scientific Officer at Project Seagrass said: “Seagrass can be easily disturbed, damaged and uprooted by anchors. Finding solutions where sailors and seagrass can coexist is vital for protecting and conserving seagrass habitats, that have important ecosystem functions for both people and planet. The ASMS installation is an important passive restoration step in supporting and aiding natural seagrass recovery in the Seaview meadow, further supplementing our active seagrass restoration efforts around the Island.” In a first for an installation of this type, the ASMS installed at Seaview includes monitoring devices which will enable environmental data from the site to be gathered to inform ongoing conservation efforts. The project is also the first of its kind to utilise a more sustainable and environmentally friendly maritime coating designed by Sea Coat which reduces biofouling, enhances vessel performance, and improves energy efficiency. James Scott-Anderson, Project Manager at Blue Parameters said: “Operators and authorities need to make the mental leap away from separating environmental sustainability with their economic sustainability. Technical sustainability is always the commercially astute thing to do and the Mermaid K mooring, with a 10 year warranty, removes chain from the mooring equation, which is often replaced every other year at great expense. That’s not good for the environment but it’s also not good for the bottom line of the business; why would you not reduce your operational costs? Save money with the bonus of saving the environment too.” Nick Rivlin, Director at WarrenBoats said: “We saw this as a perfect opportunity to develop our moorings, an important part of our business in Seaview, with respect for the environment. We are confident that partnership working, using the expertise of researchers & scientists and marine designers, was the best way for us to trial ASMS. WarrenBoats are ideally placed in the eastern Solent with open sea moorings, some of which overlap into seagrass meadows. From a commercial perspective it will be essential that we have robust warranties and guarantees on the component parts to provide client confidence, as we continue to seek zero failure with our moorings, vulnerable to easterly winds. The boating season here is short and therefore the promise of 10-year efficacy is attractive if our ASMS trial is substantiated”. The installation of the Advanced Sustainable Mooring Systems at Seaview, which is funded by Seacology, is part of a wider programme of work being undertaken by Project Seagrass to promote Seagrass Safe Sailing. Conservation actions such as these have an important role to play alongside active restoration. Preparing to install an Advanced Sustainable Mooring System at Seaview, Isle of Wight Advanced Sustainable Mooring System with monitoring devices Notes to editors About Project Seagrass Established in 2013 by a group of seagrass scientists, Project Seagrass is a global facing marine conservation organisation securing a future for seagrass. They do this by creating, empowering, and collaborating with communities; by leading, championing and communicating scientific research; and taking direct action to map, conserve, and restore seagrass meadows globally. Project Seagrass seek to reach a world in which seagrass meadows are thriving, abundant, and well managed for people and planet. About Blue Parameters Blue Parameters is a company with a focus on Technical Marine Sustainability and resources for the Commercial and Recreational sectors. We make sustainability beneficial both economically and operationally. Advanced Sustainable Mooring Systems from pontoons through single point, vessel efficiency and reducing in water pollution are our key areas of expertise. About WarrenBoats Established in 1931, a fourth-generation small family business, WarrenBoats is integral to the character of Seaview, on the Isle of Wight. Seaview plays a significant contribution to recreational boating in the eastern Solent and it is vital this heritage business remains robust and fit for future generations. WarrenBoats lays approaching 300 seasonal moorings off Seaview of which a small proportion overlap the seagrass meadows. Working on this project is an opportunity to develop new systems, helping to put the business on a strong footing for the future. Contact: Sally Rivlin, Director | www.warrenboats.co.uk | 01983 655123 Mermaid-K , Advanced Sustainable Mooring System (ASMS) The Mermaid-K is a mooring system which is designed to reduce load from wind, tide and waves due to its Seaflex Tensile Unit. It has three ‘Fin Tethers’ connecting to the gravity anchor or sinker, which evens the load and allows the riser line, and mooring buoy to be at an optimal angle and tension at all tide states. Using Dyneema Lines allows for a three to one Safe Working Load (SWL) for any vessel, and has an exceptionally long working life, It can be deployed year round and can be used for commercial applications as all parts of the system and design are certified. It is guaranteed not to touch the Seabed – which also gives sustainable benefits and will allow moorings in areas which may normally be restricted like Seagrass beds.
