Richard Cleave

Richard Cleave is the managing director and owner of HullWell Advanced Marine Coating Technologies.

From his late teens, Richard competed at the highest levels of international yacht racing in Olympic dinghies, match racing, one-design, level-rating and offshore racing and the America’s Cup, winning many national and international titles and several world championships …. the sea is his natural habitat.

HullWell was established in 2020 to specialise in the development and distribution of coatings to protect the underwater surfaces of vessels and marine infrastructure.

Essential criteria in developing and selecting HullWell products included delivering long-term solutions versus short, substrate protection in addition to protection against biofouling, high performance surfaces, utilisation of recycled materials wherever possible, exclusion of solvents, [significant contributors to ozone depletion and human harm], minimal after-life waste and the elimination of toxin, biocide, plastic and silicon discharges into our marine environment.

The HullWell System facilitates the removal and capture of traditional antifouling paint with a biodegradable, non-corrosive, non-toxic emulsion and delivers ten or more years of substrate and biofouling protection for aluminium, steel, GRP, carbon fibre and timber vessels and marine infrastructure.

HullWell is supported throughout New Zealand by a select network of approved applicators, boatyards, vessel builders and marine asset operators.

Photo supplied and (c) Rachel von Zalinski RNZYS