E-learning course: Biofouling management for recreational craft

The e-learning course “Biofouling Management for Recreational Craft” is now available online. The course was created on behalf of the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency (BSH, Bundesamtes für Seeschifffahrt und Hydrografie) by our Institute for Antifouling and Biocorrosion on Norderney, in collaboration with Alex Jamil as film producer and Claudia James from HYGIENE COMPASS for making the course available on their online platform. For boat owners, clubs, associations and authorities, it serves as an awareness-raising, preventive measure with regard to the spread of non-native species, as well as to minimize the entry of harmful substances from antifouling coatings and emissions. In five chapters, the causes, development and effects of biofouling, protection against biofouling, alternative anti-fouling systems, cleaning technologies, biofouling management plans, regulations and further information options such as Fouling Atlas and Blue Angel are shown. Each chapter consists of a film followed by a questionnaire. The films last between 5 and 9 minutes, the questionnaires consist of 4 to 12 questions in multiple choice mode. The entire course takes about 45 minutes, but can also be completed in several stages. Participation is free of charge for everyone!

A short-term goal is to train “biofouling experts” in as many marinas as possible, who will inform users or club members about existing regulations and provide support, for example, in the choice of antifouling system (AFS) or the cleaning and maintenance of the AFS.

The long-term goal is to reduce the discharge of pollutants into the waters (inland, North Sea and Baltic Sea), CO₂ emissions and to minimize the introduction and spread of non-native species without negatively affecting the protection of fouling.

Detailed BSH press release in German languange - here: Link
Click here to go directly to the course in German language: E-Learning-Kurs "Biofouling-Management für Sportboote"

A version of the course in English language will follow within the next weeks.

We thank the partners involved:
BMDV-Expertennetzwerk
DSV Deutscher Segler-Verband
DMYV Deutscher Motoryachtverband
HYGIENE COMPASS
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