Having fresh air on the ship cabins is the mandatory condition for passing the health and safety protocol. It is not only that the cruising customers insist on this, but the World Health Organization as well. Air on big ships and smaller ships can be quite polluted due to the toxic gases emission.
Ship exhaust contains harmful gases and metals that can be cancer-causing. These harmful components are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and some heavy metals like ladders. The greatest emission of these harmful components is in the back of the ship.
There is data that the children living in the port areas are more likely to suffer asthma at an early age. So, it is crucial, for safe cruising, to have clear, fresh air. Here are some of the things to be done to improve the air quality in the cabin.
Fuel
Cruising companies have already invested a huge amount of money to decrease air and water pollution. These heavy fuel oil burns have particles in them that can reach the smaller airways. These ultrafine particles, even nanoparticles, are more damaging than any other particles.
These particles can cause serious health issues when you are exposed to them for a longer period. People with respiratory and cardiovascular problems are at a very high risk of suffering serious health conditions due to these particles’ intake.
According to the new regulations, new ship fuels must not have more than 0.5% of sulfur. However, low-sulfur fuels are usually more expensive and less available than ordinary bunker fuels.
Shore Power
Even though regular ships are moving by burning hydrocarbon fuels, there are some of them using sun, wind, and electric power as the energy source. But this is not as efficient as it is by using ordinary fuel.
Ships with lacking fuel tanks have higher emissions, and they must be immediately repaired if you want to decrease the emissions which can be incredibly harmful and even cause intoxication. One of the efficient ways to decrease the air pollution on the ships and improve the cabin air quality is to use shore power.
This concept refers to a ship being provided with the electrical power from the shore while at a berth and switching off the auxiliary engines which burn the fuel oil.
Alternative Energy Sources
It goes without saying that bad air on ships endangers passengers and crew and lowers the air quality in the cabins. One of the ways to lower the emission of harmful particles is the usage of alternative energy sources.
These sources are solar power, batteries, biofuels, and hydrogen fuels. The use of these sources can lower the emission to the minimum and ensures enough fresh air for the passengers in the cabins.
Exhaust Cleaning
One of the ways to improve the air quality on the ship is regular exhaust cleaning. There is a mixture of caustic soda and water that scrubs 98% of the harmful particles from exhausts and decreases the sulfur emission by 75%. Selective catalytic reduction treatments reduce the NOx emission by 95%.
Additionally, some ships add vapor power to the engines and reduce the emission of NOx by 70%. Regular exhaust cleaning is one of the key elements to ensure better air quality. However, exhaust cleaning is a very expensive process that can cause some delays that can cost companies more than cleaning exhausts themselves.
Ship Repairs
The cause of the increased emission and ship resistance can be caused by various problems in the ship’s functioning. Usually, these problems manifest in the increased fuel consumption and with the greater pollution as the outcome. If you happen to be in California, the experts of boat repair San Diego locals offer a wide range of marine repair services.
This can be helpful if the inconveniences in the ship's functioning occur during the trip. If the emission is increased, then the lives of the entire crew and passengers are endangered, because there can be immediate health reactions like suffocation and some serious intoxications.
Engine Modifications
Another way to improve the ship’s performance and ensure fresh air on the ship is the engine modifications. These modifications include internal engine modifications by adding water systems, vapor systems, recirculation of the exhaust gases, and cooling water systems.
There are also fuel adaptation solutions. These are LNG or methanol alternatives that can reduce NOx emissions by up to 90%.
Slow Steaming
With the speed reduction, the emission of harmful particles is reduced as well. This is the outcome of the lower fuel consumption. With the speed reduction of just 5%, there are considerable fuel savings. These fuel savings result in better air quality and lower harmful fine particles emission.
Ship Cleaning
All the different species of sea organisms can attach themselves to the ship hulls. These marine organisms like algae, crabs, sea stars, and microbes can just create additional resistance.
The greater resistance the greater the fuel consumption and the harmful gases emission. If you want to create better air quality on the ship it is mandatory to have the vessels cleaned and coated regularly.
There are considerable changes to be made on the ship if you want to improve the air quality in the cabins and the ship environment. It is not just the set up of ventilation systems that should be done, but the change of the entire fuel system and changes in the ship operation to be executed.
