Underwater Hull Cleaning
Fuel Cost Savings // Operational Readiness // Extending Dry dock Cycles
A major cost of operating a ship is the cost of fuel. Any reduction in fuel consumption will result in a direct and proportional reduction in operating costs. Since up to 70% of a ship’s propulsive energy is needed to overcome hydrodynamic resistance (friction), keeping the hull and propeller surfaces smooth will minimize waste and improve the speed and/or distance to be gained from burning a barrel of fuel.
Underwater cleaning has other economic advantages besides those associated with propulsion efficiency. Unclogging fouled suction grates improves the flow of water to internal machinery and reduces pump wear. Cleaning the hull regularly prevents biofouling buildup, thereby lengthening the effective life of the anti-foulant coating and sustaining the anti-corrosive coating system for longer dry-dock intervals. Removing calcareous growth at its first appearance reduces the likelihood of external hull corrosion and pitting. During every cleaning, we see and carefully inspect each portion of the hull.
Since 1979 Seaward has cleaned more than 273 million square feet of underwater hull, and performed more than 14,500 interim cleanings and more than 5,000 hydroblasting tasks.
Benefits
Propeller Cleaning and Polishing
- extremely economical and cost-effective way to regain speed and peak efficiency
- smooths to near mirror brightness with new 3M® pads
- shafts, dunce caps and rudders cleaned at same time to further enhance performance
Hull Cleaning
- By self-propelled, diver driven SCAMP® cleaning machine is effective and economical
- Rejuvenates anti-foulant paint
- Can be done quickly even during short, in-port periods
Hydroblasting With High Pressure Water Jets
- cleans clogged sea chest grates quickly
- re-opens clogged Prairie/Masker systems
Benefits
- Reduces fuel consumption and increases steaming radius
- Supports lengthened drydock intervals and phased maintenance and repair programs
- Improves effective lifetime of anti-foulant and anti-corrosive paint systems
- Minimizes direct operating costs
An Interim Cleaning includes removing all marine fouling from:
- Propellers and Dunce caps
- Shafts
- Struts and Bearing housings
- Fairwaters and rope guards
- Rotating coupling covers
- Rudders
A Full Cleaning includes everything from an Interim Cleaning as well as:
- The entire Underwater Hull
- Bilge Keels
- All Gratings, Screens, and Splitter bars on Hull Penetrations
- Appendages
- Stabilization Systems (e.g. Fins, Auxiliary Propulsion units, Secondary Propulsion Motors)
Both interim and full cleanings also include inspection of the underwater hull and appendages with a written report including photographs of pre and post clean condition, and any or all damage found:
Before and after cleaning
Report on any found damage
