The solution
The Blue Valve System (UK Patent GB 2550580 B; patents pending in other regions) is an innovative approach to prevent sewage pollution from vessels in coastal waters. It has been designed to help boat operators comply with No-Discharge Zones with no effort and time-wasting. It also provides a practical and cost-effective solution for charter companies, marine park managers and environmental agencies who want to monitor compliance with pollution laws and thus safeguard the health and beauty of coastal areas.
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A simple prototype has been built by Creative Marine Solutions and the University of the West of England (UWE), and we are looking for partners to develop the Blue Valve system further and test it on boats.
how it works
How it Works
The Blue Valve System (BVS) uses a tamper-proof smart valve, installed below the holding tank, to record the location of the vessel when a sewage discharge has occurred. The data is sent wirelessly from the valve to a control box, and then transmitted via the local networks (or satellite) to a webserver, where it is made accessible to authorised parties, such as charter companies or environmental managers on a website and mobile app. Notifications are sent to the relevant parties when an illegal discharge has occurred inside a No-Discharge Zone, allowing them to effectively monitor compliance and enforce pollution laws.
A more advanced version of the Blue Valve System is being developed, where the discharge valve(s) open automatically when the vessel leaves a No-Discharge Zone.
mobile APP and smart valve
Discharge Sensor Valve
The Discharge Sensor Valve is rugged, tamperproof and waterproof smart valve that detects if the valve is open or closed. When the valve is opened a wireless signal is sent to the Control Box, which records the GPS coordinates where the valve was opened. The valve also transmits a signal when the valve is closed, and at regular intervals to confirm that the system is operating.