Sargassum Defense – FAQ on Boats & Floating Boom Solutions
In this FAQ Sargassum boats and booms, you will find answers about Sargassum boats and booms
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Because it was designed as a complete and coherent solution from the ground up — not just as two separate products.
Our floating barriers stop the sargassum before it reaches the shore, guiding it toward collection zones.
Our Sargaboat™ and Sargatrailer™ are specially engineered to operate efficiently in these areas:
– Compact and maneuverable in tight spaces
– Capable of working in shallow waters
– High collection capacity with optimized daily logistics
– Easy to maintain and cost-effective to operate
By combining prevention and collection in a synchronized system, we reduce shoreline accumulation, cut cleanup costs, and minimize environmental impact. That’s what makes our system the most efficient on the market.
We offer two complementary types of vessels: the Sargaboat™, specifically designed to collect sargassum and floating debris offshore or near containment booms, and the Sargatrailer™, a versatile platform that can also be used outside of the sargassum season for transport or logistical support operations.
A Sargaboat™ + Sargatrailer™ team can collect up to 500 m³ of sargassum per day, depending on the amount and density of the accumulated seaweed, as well as the overall logistical organization.
If the unloading point is far from the collection area, additional Sargatrailers™ can be added to optimize the operation. Since trailers are significantly more affordable than collector boats, this solution allows for greater efficiency at a lower investment cost than purchasing multiple harvesting vessels.
Our boats are deliberately compact — a strategic design choice driven by efficiency and adaptability:
– Superior maneuverability, especially around floating booms or in sensitive coastal zones
– Quick and easy removal from water, crucial during hurricane alerts or for routine maintenance
– Full access to shallow waters, such as lagoons, bays, or nearshore areas
Their reduced size also means smaller engines are required, resulting in lower weight, reduced fuel consumption, smaller fuel tanks, and ultimately, a significantly lower operating cost.
This approach ensures maximum flexibility and cost-effectiveness without the need for heavy port infrastructure.
Thanks to its compact size and lightweight structure, the Sargaboat™ can operate in as little as 2 feet of water, allowing it to get very close to shorelines and work efficiently in shallow coastal zones.
Floating booms are used to deflect or intercept sargassum offshore before it reaches the beach. The Sargaboat™ works in tandem with these booms to continuously collect brown seaweed at sea, reducing its impact on beaches and coastal ecosystems.
Yes, absolutely. Our boats are specifically designed to be easy to handle, even for operators with little or no maritime experience.
We provide a full handover and basic training session upon delivery. In just one or two days, most new pilots become fully autonomous and confident operating the vessel.
Our vessels have been specifically designed for low-maintenance operation, even in harsh marine environments:
– All boats are equipped with standard Yamaha 60Hp 4-Stroke outboard engines, a reliable model widely available across the Caribbean and worldwide. This ensures easy access to spare parts and minimizes the need to stock large quantities of consumables like propellers or filters.
– We’ve reduced the use of hydraulic systems to the bare minimum, eliminating the complexity and high cost of repairing corrosion-prone components.
– Every element of the design has been thought out to allow easy maintenance by non-specialized personnel, so no need for certified technicians or expensive service contracts.
This means less downtime, fewer surprises, and a real reduction in operational costs.
We adapt the unloading system based on the local environment and logistics. Here are the main options:
1/ – Front discharge:
Some clients prefer to unload from the front of the trailer, either to release the sargassum back into the sea at a suitable offshore location (where winds and currents will carry it away), or to bring it ashore for transfer to a designated storage or recycling site.
2/ – Crane + aluminum baskets:
If a crane can be positioned close enough to the water’s edge, such as on a dock or concrete boat ramp, to reach the Sargatrailers, we can equip them with two lightweight aluminum baskets that collect the seaweed during harvesting. These baskets cover the full surface of the trailer deck, making the seaweed easier to handle and reducing the crane size required. They can then be lifted and emptied directly into trucks or containers for transport.
3/ – Onboard mini crane (optional):
As an optional feature, we can equip the Sargatrailer with a compact crane to unload BigBags or similar sacks autonomously. This is particularly useful in remote areas without heavy equipment.
Each location is different, so we always recommend a site assessment to determine the best unloading configuration.
Yes, and that’s one of their key advantages !
Sargatrailers™ are autonomous working boats that can also function as material transport platforms, for barrier installation/removal, diving support, coastal cleanup, or even on-demand logistical or observation tasks.
Thanks to their compact size and low weight, our boats can be loaded onto cargo vessels using the ship’s own crane, enabling them to operate in offshore zones where large sargassum patches can be intercepted before they reach the coast.
Our Sargabarriers™ are engineered to withstand extreme marine conditions. They’ve been tested against pushing forces up to 16 tons and have successfully endured the wind and waves of a Category 4 hurricane in the Dominican Republic, with only minimal damage. Their durability makes them ideal for long-term deployment in tropical waters.
Absolutely. The mesh used in our barriers is specifically designed with a fine gauge that prevents seaweed from passing through while avoiding the entrapment of marine species like fish or sea turtles. Environmental safety is a top priority.
Moreover, our barriers are floating systems and do not extend to the seafloor, which means marine animals such as fish and sea turtles can freely swim underneath them without obstruction.
Yes. Unlike oil spill containment booms that are designed for short-term use, our barriers are made from UV-resistant materials and are built to remain in place throughout the year. They require very low maintenance and are meant for long-term coastal protection against sargassum influxes.
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