Air lubrication system for reducing marine growth on a vessel

Abstract

A method for reducing marine growth on a vessel, includes providing an air lubrication system and covering at least a part of the hull with air bubbles. Also described is a vessel having an air lubricating system with releasable connection of the deflectors across the cavity, a closeable outlet valve in the air outlet duct, connection of a compressor to each cavity or pair of cavities and an air inlet opening in the top of the cavity.

1 . A method for reducing marine growth on a vessel, comprising:
 providing an air lubrication system, the air lubrication system comprising an air cavity system having sidewalls ( 18 , 18 ′) and a top wall ( 19 ) defining a cavity ( 33 ) with an opening ( 20 ) situated in an interface plane ( 30 ) that is transverse to the sidewalls, substantially at a level of a hull of the vessel, or at a level of a substantially flat bottom, the opening having a front end ( 22 ) and a rear end ( 21 ) when seen in a length direction of the cavity, and a compressor being connected to the cavity, the compressor being connected to the cavity for supplying air into the cavity via an air outlet duct ( 14 ); and   covering at least a part of the hull with air bubbles.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing air bubbles on the hull when the vessel is stationary or in a moored configuration.   
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 providing an air system on the sidewalls of the vessel.