Pontoon & Deck Boat

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 060Bio www.060bio.com www.pdbmagazine.com 41 PDB Pontoon & Deck Boat June 2016 FOR MORE INFORMATION: FOR MORE INFORMATION: 060Bio www.060bio.com huge problem, because they're impos- sible to eradicate once they've been established in a body of water, and any chemical treatment designed to kill the mussels would also harm the surrounding wildlife. So what recourse do we have? HOW TO LOSE MUSSEL Paul Coxe has an answer. As the CEO and founder of 060Bio, LLC, a com- pany dedicated to fighting invasive species, he and his team have developed a product called the Dock Disk that is an effective, non-toxic zebra and quagga mussel repellant. The Dock Disk hangs in the water near any structure or vessel that needs to remain mussel-free. Coxe says, "Our anti-mussel technology can be formed to serve a number of different indus- tries. Utilities, drinking water, manu- facturers, irrigation, fire safety, all are affected by clogged intake lines. Our non-toxic, environmentally-friendly repellant is safe for all industries." So how does it actually work? The 7.5-inch disk has an inner membrane impregnated with a proprietary blend of brass that is activated when it comes in contact with water. This then filters out into the surrounding water and compels the mussels to leave the area. It doesn't kill the mussels, and it doesn't harm any other creatures in the vicinity. To achieve a mussel-free zone, 060Bio suggest placing the disk three to four feet below the surface, and spaced out along the dock every 12 to 15 feet. Each disk lasts up to six months and is recyclable. Lest you worry about the Dock Disk causing trouble not only for other animals but for humans, Coxe assures us that the product is completely safe. It meets EPA and FDA standards for potable water and passes ANSI/NSF Standard 42 regulations for drinking water system components. CLEAR WATER AHEAD "Mussels have met their match," Coxe says. "The boating industry is just the beginning, however. Any industry or company or entity that uses fresh water has been or will be affected by the infestation of invasive mussels. We now have an effective, inexpensive, safe and easy-to-use weapon against them." Every Dock Disk comes with a kit that includes an eye bolt for hanging the disk, a four-foot lanyard to hang it from, and a small bag that hangs off the bottom of the disk. You simply screw the bolt into the dock just above the water line, fill the bag with rocks to weigh it down, and drop it into the water. Each disk costs around $40, which is a bargain compared to the hundreds of thousands of dol- lars some counties in the Great Lakes region are spending on testing a biopesticide. According to Dan Har- wood, 060Bio's CFO, "This product not only allows boat owners peace of mind, but also could provide a pos- sible profit center for marina owners. Most people would be willing to pay a premium for a mussel-free slip." Coxe wants their product to have as big an impact on boaters' lives as possible. "After we knew the patented ac- tive ingredient worked so well, we de- cided to design our first product for the benefit of the boating industry," he says. "There are so many industries affected by the invasive mussels, but we wanted to help Joe/Jane Boat- Owner first. This device gives them more time to have fun at the lake or the river, and more time to spend with family and friends. They won't have to worry about scraping the mussels off of their boats or PWCs. They won't have to worry about mussels fouling the engine. They won't have cuts and scrapes from the sharp mussel shells. Our focus as a company is to help eradicate invasive species where they exist, and return the native biological balance to the infected area, but also to help us all live better lives."

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