Good hull maintenance is encouraged for all vessels in New Zealand and hauling out is the preferred option.
You must ensure that no contaminants like marine pests or anti foul are discharged into the coastal environment during your cleaning process. All rubbish must be contained and appropriately disposed of.
Check out the fanworms and marine pests that reside on a boat hull.
Here are the various levels of fouling and their descriptions. Only levels 1 and 2 may be cleaned in-water.
| LOF | Description | Microfouling cover (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Slime layer fouling only. Submerged hull areas partially or entirely covered in biofilm, but absence of any macrofouling. | 0 |
| 2 | Light fouling. Hull covered in biofilm and 1-2 very small patches of macrofouling (only one taxon). | 1 - 5 |
| 3 | Considerable fouling. Presence of biofilm, and macrofouling still patchy but clearly visible and comprised of either one or several different taxa. | 6 - 15 |
| 4 | Extensive fouling. Presence of biofilm, and abundant fouling assemblages consisting of more than one taxon. | 16 - 40 |
| 5 | Very heavy fouling. Diverse assemblages covering most of visible hull surfaces. | 41 - 100 |
