Sargassum Barriers
Floating aquatic plant booms are designed to control the impact of seaweed, sargassum, algae, and other invasive marine plants protecting lakes, beaches and hotels along the shoreline. They can either be used seasonally or long-term to secure an area from aquatic plants and debris that would otherwise litter beaches. The design and perimeter layouts are intended to deflect or redirect aquatic plants or debris.
Uses for Seaweed/Sargassum Barriers
Aquatic plant booms are used for many applications, including preventing the migration of sargassum and aquatic plants in the tourism industry and the following marine environments:
- Tourist Beaches
- Hotels & Resorts
- Parks
- Marinas
- Boat Docks & Ports
- Fishing Villages
- Event Areas
- Private Waterfront Properties
- Fish Farms & Aquaculture Facilities
Aquatic Plant Barriers
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| MODEL | AB-30 “Light Aquatic Barrier” |
AB-45 “Sargassum Barrier” |
AB-48 “Beach Defender” |
AB-60 “Beach Protector” |
AB-61 “Beach Guardian” |
AB-70 “HD Beach Barrier” |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall Height | 30" | 45" | 48" | 60" | 61" | 70" |
| Freeboard | 7" | 9" | 10" | 12" | 12" | 14" |
| Draft | 23" | 36" | 38" | 48" | 48" | 56" |
| Flotation | Rolled PE Foam | Rolled PE Foam | Rolled PE Foam | Rolled PE Foam | Rolled PE Foam | Rolled PE Foam |
| Top Tension | 1/4" SS or HG | 5/16" SS or HG | DUAL 5/16" SS or HG | 3/8" SS | DUAL 5/16" SS or HG | Dual 3/8" SS or HG |
| ASTM Style | SD | HD | HD | HD | HD | HD |
| Top Connector | Aluminum Connector | Aluminum Connector | Aluminum Connector | Aluminum Connector | Aluminum Connector | Aluminum Connector |
| Bottom Ballast | 3/8" HG Chain | 3/8" HG Chain | 1/2" HG Chain | 1/2" HG Chain | 5/8" HG Chain | 5/8" HG Chain |
| Ballast Connector | 3/8" HG Shackle | 316SS Tension Plate | 316SS Tension Plate | 316SS Tension Plate | 316SS Tension Plate | 316SS Tension Plate |
| Tensile Strength | 16,000 lbs | 19,000 lbs | 36,000 lbs | 30,000 lbs | 45,000 lbs | 51,000 lbs |
| Anchor Point | 1/2" Eye Bolt | 3/4" Eye Bolt | 3/4" Eye Bolt | 3/4" Eye Bolt | 3/4" Eye Bolt | 3/4" Eye Bolt |
| Base Fabric/Color | 22oz PVC / Orange/Yellow | 32oz PVC / Orange | 35oz PVC / Blue | 35oz PVC / Blue | 35oz PVC / Blue | 35oz PVC / Blue |
| Optional Colors (Commonly Stocked) | Other colors and fabric weight avail upon request | Other colors and fabric weight avail upon request | Other colors and fabric weight avail upon request | Other colors and fabric weight avail upon request | Other colors and fabric weight avail upon request | Other colors and fabric weight avail upon request |
| Skirt Fabric | Black Mega Mesh | Black Mega Mesh | Black Mega Mesh | Black Mega Mesh | Black Mega Mesh | Black Mega Mesh |
| Skirt Connector | Grommets & Zip Ties | Grommets & SS Bolts | Grommets & SS Bolts | Grommets & SS Bolts | Grommets & SS Bolts | Grommets & SS Bolts |
| Description | Designed for floating debris such as seaweed and common plastic or paper trash. Capable of handling light buildups in relatively calm environments. | Designed for larger debris such as sargassum and small tree limbs in a relatively calm environment. | Designed for larger debris such as sargassum and small tree limbs in an active and demanding environment. | Designed for heavier buildups of floating debris in demanding environments with loads from wind, current and wave activity. | Designed for heavier buildups of floating debris in more active environments with higher loads from wind, current and wave activity. | Designed for floating debris in high demand situations that experience high stress loads from environmental conditions. |
Considerations for Sargassum Containment Boom Selection
Selecting the right sargassum or seaweed deflection barrier depends on your site’s unique environmental conditions. When designing a barrier system, consider the following:
- Maximum wind speeds
- Maximum current velocities
- Wave and swell conditions, including rolling or breaking waves
- Perimeter layout and shoreline tie-in locations for effective deflection
- Seabed conditions (sand, rock, or other bottom types) for anchoring
- Proximity to coral reefs or other sensitive marine habitats
- Boat traffic and wake impacts within the protected area
- Local environmental regulations and permitting requirements
Our engineering team will work with you to evaluate these factors and recommend a barrier system and anchoring solution tailored to your specific application.
Sargassum Barrier Drone Footage
Antigua Diving Services video of a sargassum barrier project on Barbuda Island where the company installed and maintains ABASCO Aquatic Barriers for their client.
Testimonials
"Excellent barrier system performance and consistent service support...”
Our resort, Barbuda Ocean Club is located on the southeast side of Barbuda. We have sizable issues withsargassum along the beach and after researching options decided to work with Antigua Diving Services (ADS). They surveyed the site with sea and climate conditions reviewed to determine the best layout and barrier type for open water deflection of the sargassum, avoiding the bay where beach residences are located at our facility.
Additionally, ADS reviewed sea bottom conditions and water depths so a proper anchoring system could be combined to secure the barriers in water depths from 10’ to 30’. The ABASCO Aquatic Barrier AB-61 was selected and specifications developed for the specific application by anchoring every 25’ Windward and 50’ Leeward given the potential wave, wind and current conditions. ABASCO manufactured the custom barriers designed for a long service life avoiding galvanic corrosion and shipped the ancillary anchor packages so they could be installed by the ADS Team.
Upon receipt, the ADS Team working with a regional subcontractor installed the helical screw anchors and deployed the AB-61 across the surveyed area. We were pleased with the barriers performance with ADS providing a maintenance service primarily removing algae build up as required from the barriers. During the second season, we acquired some additional footage to deflect the sargassum during seasonal wind variances, which really helped secure the full area given variable wind, wave and current conditions.
The total amount of barriers used on the project was 6,500’ which can be observed on ABASCO’s website taken from drone footage. Our experience with the ABASCO barriers and ADS team has been positive given the excellent barrier system performance and consistent service support.
-Barbuda Ocean Club, HJB
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ABASCO, Inc.
8561 E North Belt
Humble, TX 77396, USA