Moving towards the deployment of their first cleanup system in mid-2018, The Ocean Cleanup foundation deployed the first part of new North Sea prototype, on August 29.
The new North Sea tests are aimed at assessing two variations of floater-screen connections, as well as the application of antifouling on the screen, for approximately 6 months. As explained, the North Sea offers the ideal location to test for durability due to its extreme conditions and will allow to ensure survivability in the Pacific.
The tests are expected to verify elements of new and updated design. The system has changed a lot since the team’s first prototype with the most obvious design change of moving from a moored system to a free-floating system. The other important design updates are related to the choice of materials, especially for the floating body, the screen, and the connection elements.
The Ocean Cleanup informed that it will install the second test segment with the screen suspended via a rail connection, in late-September/early-October.
