Seas the Day

Incorporating renewable energy sources onto marine vessels could be an effective way to both reduce carbon emissions, as well as being cost efficient by minimising the cost of fuel. One way to achieve this is by installing solar panels on these ships in order to generate solar energy to run these vessels.

Marine solar power systems can be installed on large vessels such as car carriers, cruise ships and large ferries. They can also be installed on smaller vessels such as river boats. Figure 1 below shows how a Marine Solar Power Array being installed.

Stackhouse and Whitlock, 2008 state that the globe is divided in six distinct zones, allowing energy production of the solar installation systems to be calculated in relation to solar radiation density. For one square meter of the solar panels the peak output power equates to 130 W (Kagaraki, 2001). 

Also states that these solar panels should be installed above the deck of the ship and at a zero angle (see Figure 2). This is recommended because in this position the solar panels will be most effective at absorbing solar radiation.

Alexandro Glykas highlights that data shows that zones that are nearest to the equator receive a larger level of solar radiation density. Therefore, marine vessels that operate in those zones have much greater solar energy production.

Future of Solar Sails

Although solar sailing is argued to be a sustainable and renewable energy supply, there are many criticisms. One downside is that the cost to install this technology is very expensive and it often takes years to generate enough energy to even make a profit. An installation of a 150 kW solar panel array would cost from $420,000 to $450,000 (USD).

Solar sailing is estimated to reduce in economic cost after some time when the technology becomes more common. However, there still needs to be significant progress in reducing the size of these structures and making them more efficient. This includes making them hardwearing for when they are put through harsh weather conditions.

EnergySails

This year will see the combination of both solar and wind energy technology being used on a marine vessel called EnergySails. Eco Marine Power (EMP) is the Japanese company that has developed this renewable energy system that generates power from both the sun and wind.

The EnergySails will also be effective when the ship is on the dock and the NewAtlas report has commented that the sails will be made of a sturdy material such as steel, which allows it to be durable in any weather condition.  

All over the world pirates have been known to sail the high seas for centuries. In 2009 there was the Hijacking of the Maersk Alabama off Horn of Africa in the Indian Ocean, which saw a decline in pirates sailing the seas since. The hijacking was depicted in the 2013 movie “Captain Phillips,” starring Tom Hanks.

However, recently there has been an increase of piracy of the sea and this has cost insurance companies and shippers millions of dollars. Charles Marts states that the 2009 hijacking mentioned above cost businesses approximately $2 billion in ransoms, security and insurance expenses.

According to the State of Maritime Piracy report (2017), Asia had the largest piracy rate wth 125 instances. West Africa was second with 95 cases. This comprised of seafaring incidents of hijacking, kidnappings and armed robbery.

Researchers have claimed that there are a variety of factors that have led to a resurgence in piracy. These include political and social issues that present in these regions such as corruption, famine and even the impact that groups such as the Islamic state have had.

Solution

One option to tackle this issue has been surveillance through military intervention. This involves the policing the waters with a naval presence in order to prevent and step in if an attack was to take place. This both reduces the chances of a pirate attack to occur, as well increasing the risk for these pirates if they choose to hijack a marine vessel.

According to the Danish Institute of Military Studies, this offensive military strategy involves the use of air strikes which is a way of fighting these acts of terrorism in regions such as Somalia. These tactics are carried out with efficiency, as once these pirate ports and their leaders are located, military intervention take place.

Paul R. Williams argues that another strategy is to have armed security actually present on board ships, which can also prevent pirates from targeting these vessels.

However, although this may prevent the likelihood of an attack, it does not tackle the actual root of the issue. An effective solution to end maritime piracy would be a sustainable bottom up approach alongside the larger scale military action.

This could be done in a few different ways. One bottom up solution would be by finding the economic source that funds these pirate groups and directly cut them off. Another way would be by providing aid to these regions as regions like Somalia suffers from famine. This aid could be in the form of food and clean water. Finally, by setting up new forms of employment for these people, they would be less likely to join a pirate crew to earn a living and survive.

The route from Libya to Europe across the Mediterranean is said to be the world’s most deadly migrant crossing today. Last year over 2000 migrants lost their lives on this route through the Mediterranean Sea. 

According to a study by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), since 2014, over 22,500 migrants have been reported as missing or dead worldwide, and a over half of them perishing while attempting to cross the Mediterranean.

These migrants are hoping to exchange the hardships that they face in their home country for a better life for themselves and their families. This shows how the sea can be seen as a medium of hope for these refugees who can find hope by crossing sea in these boats. However the sea can also drown these hopes and be seen as an obstacle, as the journey across the sea is an extremely dangerous and deadly route. 

This short film by the BBC shows how these vulnerable refugees can be rescued: 

Last year a boat carrying hundreds of migrants went missing from the coast of Libya. According to the UN migration agency, this was one of the deadliest disasters in the Mediterranean in over a year. Although many European countries have increased their border security to prevent this illegal and dangerous migration, the fatality rate on this journey has continued to increase. 

Filippo Grandi, the U.N. high commissioner for refugees, has said the following statement:  “We cannot turn a blind eye to the high numbers of people dying on Europe’s doorstep.” The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has published a report warning the dangers in the route.

Gender and Migration cross the Mediterranean

There is a connection between gender relations and migration, and according to Marchand 2008; Freedman 2012, this relationship has been highlighted in studies that have taken place all over the world.

Many varying factors such as a countries social and economic standing can form different types of security and conditions for men and women and their power relations. Marchand argues: 

It goes without saying that the migration–violence nexus is gendered. Men and women are affected in different ways and the violence to which they are exposed is related to their position with respect to the migration–violence nexus (Marchand 2008: 1387).

Pickering and Cochrane (2012) outline that there is are greater physical danger attached to women crossing the Mediterranean Sea than men, and there is a higher morality rate even once reaching the borders.

Despite these risks, thousands of women continue with the goal seek refuge by crossing the sea to various European destinations. They often face many challenges by doing so but are willing to put their lives at risk in order to flee conflict and persecution in their originating countries. They also often have young children to look after along the route which increases their vulnerability and hardships at sea.

According to scientists, the level of mercury in our seas have had a dramatic increase of 30% over the past twenty years. This is also estimated to be increased by another 50% in the next few decades.

The Environmental Protection Agency have found that coal power plants are the leading cause of this pollution, as the emissions dispense mercury into the sea.

This then contaminates the life in these waters such as the fish, which we then eat, especially in the form of tuna . This neurotoxin can have a significant impact on neurological development causing many different health problems such as learning difficulties.

This form of sea pollution is especially concerning because not only does it cause harm to our environment, it also affects our bodies directly through the food that we eat. These mercury levels in the sea are predicted to rise .

A study carried out by the Biodiversity Research Institute (BRI) and IPEN, found that women from small-island states and villages have dangerous levels of mercury, which can also cause harm to unborn babies.

Furthermore, according to a study by the American Geophysical Union, if these mercury levels continue to increase at this rate, the Pacific Ocean will contain over 50% more mercury within the next four decades. The study also demonstrates how these emissions can be released in different parts of the world, but can still end up in our seas.

“This study is critically important to the health and safety of the American people and our wildlife because it helps us understand the relationship between atmospheric emissions of mercury and concentrations of mercury in marine fish,”

Quote from the Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar

According to Bloom and Crecelius, 1983 and Cossa et al., 1997, the actual water and sediments do not contain a lot of mercury, but the concern is with the contamination of the food chain.

This shows how the sea can have such a direct impact on our health without many of us even realising it. Often the significance of the sea is forgotten about in our day to day lives, which is why it is so vital to raise awareness of these marine issues.

“With every drop of water you drink, every breath you take, you’re connected to the sea. No matter where on Earth you live”

Sylvia Earle, Oceanographer