Butterfield Bank Supporting ‘Seabin’ Program
The Bank of Butterfield has joined the Seabin Global Pilot Program, and will install the pre-series V5 Hybrid Seabin at the marina at Hamilton Princess & Beach Club.
The Seabin is a ‘floating trash can’ placed at marinas, docks, yacht clubs and commercial ports around the world as a part solution to the current global littering problem.
Water is syphoned in from the surface and passes through the natural fibre catch bag inside the Seabin. The water is pumped back into the marina leaving litter and debris trapped in the catch bag to be disposed of properly.
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The first Butterfield-sponsored installation of Seabin technology in Bermuda will coincide with the start of the 35th America’s Cup, being held this summer. Butterfield is an Official Supplier and the Official Bermuda Bank, and the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club is the Official Hotel of the 2017 America’s Cup.
The Princess Marina at Hamilton Princess & Beach Club will be contributing space in their new marina facility, which is an ideal location for installation of the pre-series Seabin and will be one of 10 locations globally to have the pre-series V5 Hybrid Seabin installed.
During the test period of three months, experience and feedback including data from the debris collected will be gathered from the exclusive group, before the commercial sales of the Seabins commence mid-year.
As a Global Pilot Partner, Butterfield will additionally introduce the Seabin Project’s education and research programs in Bermuda to increase awareness of the problem of plastics in the ocean among the island’s youth.
As Butterfield operates primarily from island jurisdictions, the Bank has a great appreciation for the marine environment and supports initiatives that will assist with the preservation and improvement of island and maritime ecosystems. The Bank plans to eventually install Seabins at marina locations in some of its other jurisdictions, as well.
Pete Ceglinski Managing Director and Co-Founder of Seabin Project, said: “The team and I at Seabin Project are extremely excited to announce this dynamic partnership.
“With Butterfield being the Official Bermuda Bank and providing sponsorship for the 35th America’s Cup, and partnering with Seabin Project at Hamilton Princess & Beach Club as the selected location, it will have a huge impact on the ocean plastics problem we are addressing with the Seabin technology.
“The fact they will be rolling out the tech, education and research programs to some of their other locations around the world is nothing short of amazing.”
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Fantastic. Well done butterfield!
Set one of these up for Non Mariners. Although, I would hate to be the dude sent to clean out that bad boy the day after. mercy!
What about sea life? It is not mentioned anywhere in the article. Surely they will catch lots of otherwise healthy fish and invertebrates.
Great question Clarity! The Seabin team includes a full time marine scientist who is doing ongoing research into the micro-organism and other marine life that may be captured by the Seabins, but throughout the years of testing and trialling the Seabin prototypes we have NOT yet had an issue. The fish are naturally deterred by the sound and vibration of the submersible pump.
Great to know – Thanks!
Sounds great in principle, but the impact on marine life must be studied. On balance, it’s probably a net (pun intended) good, but unintended consequences must be considered. Would be a huge turnoff if these filled up with rotting sealife at Ye Olde Yacht Clube.
The Seabin team and full time marine scientist are conducting studies into this area of concern to insure that there is no impact on the surrounding environment where the Seabin is installed. The V5 Hybrid Seabin has been specifically designed for marinas and ports so that the catch bag can be emptied on a daily basis.
How about one/some off the Front Street dock by the ferry terminal. A lot of trash collects in that corner.
We are excited to welcome the Seabin Project to Bermuda! Many of us in Bermuda’s environmental circle have been following the development of these in Europe and eagerly waiting for them to be available. So this is wonderful that Butterfield Bank is sponsoring and Hamilton Princess marina is the very first location in the Eastern Atlantic region to get one! No one should worry that marine life might be harmed by the Seabin. The tide and winds push trash into corners of marinas, the perfect location for a Seabin, and the suction only pulls the trash that is floating on the very top of the water into the bin.
It will not suck a fish into it. Also the bin is relatively small so that it needs to be emptied frequently. Welcome Pete and Sascha who have come to install the very first one!