Company background & mission statement:
1. Company Description
BlueWave Marine Innovations was formed in 2010 to undertake the development, testing and marketing of an oil/water separation device suitable for recovery operations at major spill sites or small scale cleanup operations at harbours and marinas.
Company operations to date include the finalization of the separation process, the development of a prototype separation device, the manufacture of a platform vessel to contain the device and sea trials of the vessel and the separation process.
2. Prototype Description
The separator utilizes a self-propelled mechanism that separates oil or diesel fuel from both sea and fresh water. The separated oil/fuel is captured and stored in tanks on the recovery vessel. The prototype currently under construction will utilize a four foot separation device for recovery operations. While this is considered adequate for minor clean up operations to maintain water quality at marinas and harbours, much larger versions can be built to enhance recovery at large-scale spills such as that underway in the Gulf of Mexico.
The prototype currently under construction will be installed in a specially constructed vessel. Combined, these mechanisms become a self-contained and stand alone recovery unit. The prototype recovery vessel will be 16 x 9’ and will be powered by a 100 horsepower outboard engine. Floatation will be provided by two pontoon type devices that will also serve as storage tanks for the recovered oil. Speed of recovery, utilizing the original 12” prototype has been a remarkable 4 U.S. gallons/minute. The 4 foot prototype (currently under construction) will be capable of recovering 16 U.S. gallons per minute. As specified above, larger versions of these vessels can be built which will be capable of substantially higher recovery rates.
3. Market Potential
Significant market potential exists for both small and large scale clean-up, and water quality restoration and enhancement operations. This separation unit in varying dimensions will be of value to marina operators, harbour maintenance service companies as well as those companies charged with clean-up operations at both major and minor oil spill sites.
4. Product Assessment
BlueWave Marine Innovations has developed an oil/water separation device that, we believe, is superior to other oil skimmer applications in areas such as recovery rates, durability, ease and low cost of maintenance, and versatility. During testing a the original (12”) version of this device recovered an average of 4 U.S. gallons of a heavy oil emulsion per minute. The vessel housing the oil separation unit will be able to maintain a stable platform that will allow recovery operations to take place in swells up to approximately 2 feet. Unique hydraulic and floatation systems onboard this separator vessel will allow its operation within coastal wetlands.
In our opinion, and as evidenced during testing and sea trials, our product has the capability to significantly enhance current oil separation and recovery operations while reducing associated expenses.
5. Vision, Development and Marketing Plans
BlueWave Marine Innovations has a three part strategy for the development and marketing of its oil separation unit:
1. Continue to develop our proof of concept through participation in actual oil spill clean-up operations. This strategy is intended to demonstrate to developers, recovery operators, oil companies and other potential buyers that our product concept is an ideal acquisition for future large scale production.
or;
2. On a small scale, begin the production of the separation units and platform vessels for sale to oil spill recovery companies, and harbour and marina operators. Marketing plans will be developed to support this strategy and place product information in the hands of potential buyers. Plans for ramping up production in response to increased market share will also be developed.
and/or;
3. Produce separation units and platform vessels as company assets to be leased to oil spill recovery companies and harbour and marina operators. If initial production capacity is sufficient, this strategy will be actioned in conjunction with Strategy 2 above.
