The Patented RiteAire Marine™ Whole Vessel Dehumidification System Helps Keep Crew Healthy and Fights Condensation, Mold and Rust on Board

High humidity causes condensation that can short or rust electronic equipment, and creates ideal conditions for mold growth, airborne allergens and VOCs – not only inside buildings but also on board commercial and military vessels. Sensitive crew members working and living in humid boat interiors can suffer sore throats, itchy eyes and other allergic reactions, as well as serious respiratory illness.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends: “Keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity [RH].”

Portable dehumidifier units provide some relief from the detrimental effects of excess humidity, but only in limited areas. They also create obstructions to easy passage for crew transiting tight spaces on board. 

The solution is the patented RiteAire Marine Whole Vessel Dehumidification System, which automatically maintains humidity levels inside a vessel at a healthy 45-50 RH. RiteAire Marine is trusted by Metal Shark and other well-known shipyards that install the system in-house during new-build construction.

How it Works

The custom-designed RiteAire Marine system utilizes both a vessel’s own ductwork and proprietary ducting. It incorporates one or more of the company’s powerful RAM 30, 75 or 100 dehumidifier units, which are compact enough to fit beneath a berth. The system works by drawing moist air into the return-air duct and cycling it through the dehumidifier unit(s), lowering humidity by up to 45 percent per pass. Dry air is then distributed throughout the interior, mixing with moist air and recirculating back to the dehumidifier(s). The cycle repeats automatically until the pre-set RH level is reached on the system’s built-in humidistat.

Benefits of RiteAire Marine System

The improved interior air quality (IAQ) the RiteAire Whole Vessel Dehumidification System delivers offers a wide range of health and vessel-maintenance benefits. The system:

• Prevents condensation from fogging windshields and windows, and forming on metal walls and other interior surfaces.
• Lowers the risk of shorts or rust in electronics equipment caused by moisture.
• Reduces overall interior dampness, preventing dust mites and other allergens from thriving.
• Prevents mold growth in exposed spaces and hidden compartments on board.
• Reduces conditions that favor VOC emissions like formaldehyde present in vessel construction materials.
• Preserves overhead liners and interior furnishings from sagging, discoloration and deterioration due to moisture.

Air Conditioning Can’t Compete

Some marine air conditioning systems have a “Dry” or “Dehum” setting that runs the compressor and fan at low, intermittent speeds with the goal of removing moisture by letting air condense on the cold evaporator coils and then drain outside. The problem is that air still moves through the AC system too quickly to remove enough water to lower RH levels sufficiently.

“We developed the patented technology for the RiteAire Marine Whole Vessel Dehumidification System more than 10 years ago, and during the first five years, captains and boat manufacturers pushed back, saying they only needed to turn up the AC,” said RiteAire Marine Co-Owner Ted Reese. “Instead of a dry, healthy interior, they just got a colder, wetter vessel with greater potential for mold growth, allergens and VOCs.” 

However, in recent years, that has changed due to growing awareness of the RiteAire Marine system’s effectiveness at controlling humidity levels on board.

“In the yachting market, where we’ve initially been marketing the RiteAire system, word has spread among captains noting ‘game-changing conditions’ in their vessels, and demand for our Whole Vessel Dehumidification System has increased dramatically both among end-users and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM). Our system is offered as a standard option on all new Viking Yachts,” Reese said. “Now, we are turning our focus to the commercial and workboat markets. Humidity is everywhere, and excess moisture can lead to higher vessel operating expenses as well as health issues that cause personnel to miss shifts. Our dehumidification system is the solution.”

Metal Shark 38 Defiant NXT Fire Rescue Boat

RiteAire Marine is a supplier for Metal Shark in Jeanerette, Louisiana, a leading builder of vessels for militaries and first responders worldwide. In house, Metal Shark has installed the RiteAire Marine Whole Vessel Dehumidification system in its 38 Defiant NXT Fire Rescue Boats delivered to the Orange Beach Fire Rescue in Orange Beach, Alabama, and Tampa Bay Fire Rescue in Tampa, Florida.

“Metal boats are especially prone to problems caused by humidity, like condensation fogging the windshield and creating damp conditions for onboard electronics. We are proud that Metal Shark has selected our system as equipment on its first responder boats,” Reese said.

Get Humidity Under Control in Your Vessel Today

Florida-based RiteAire Marine is standing by to provide consultation, design and installation of the RiteAire Marine Whole Vessel Dehumidification System for any vessel with an LOA of 35' up, anywhere in the world. We also are seeking qualified dealer/installers in strategic markets, as well as OEM partners interested in installing our system during construction for the benefit of their customers.

If you are losing man hours to mold- or allergen-induced illnesses among your crew, repairing moisture damage, or replacing rusted-out equipment in your vessel or fleet, do not hesitate: call RiteAire Marine at 727-954-5885 or email [email protected] today.