A coating system for defouling a substrate, such as a ship hull, immersed in water or seawater for long periods of time comprises a conductive layer, an antifouling layer and a means for providing an energy pulse to said conductive layer. The conductive layer comprises polymers, such as carbon filled polyethylene, which are electrically conductive. The antifouling layer comprises polymers, such as polydimethylsiloxane, which have a low surface free energy. The layers are designed such that when the conductive layer is exposed to a pulse of electrical, acoustic or microwave energy or combinations thereof, said conductive layer separates from said antifouling layer.