CONTRACTOR OVERCOMES TIGHT SCHEDULE, COLD WEATHER TO FINISH SHIP RESTORATION

In 1994, a Philadelphia restaurateur embarked on a 2-year journey to restore the world's first steel hull cargo ship. To determine the extent of the ship's damage, a team of engineers conducted corrosion surveys. Stresses caused by steel flexing, chloride ions, and acid-producing microbes put ballast areas at risk for severe corrosion attack. While the inspection crew found pitting to be extensive, actual metal loss was low. By transmitting high frequency sound waves through the ship's hull, hidden flaws from corrosion and erosion could be detected. Because of a tight deadline, exterior hull surface preparation and painting had to be performed from January 1996 to March 1996. The bulk of the project, including all hull painting, was to be accomplished while the ship was moored at dock in Camden, New Jersey. The threat of low application temperatures and their effect on the long-term performance of coatings was of greatest concern. In addition, the coatings needed to provide 8-10 years of corrosion protection. For the bulk of the exterior, the coating manufacturer recommended a three-coat system. The basecoat, an epoxy amine adduct, could be applied at temperatures as low as 20 deg F (-7 deg C). This was topcoated by two coats of moisture-cured aliphatic urethane. Cables attached to the ship's masts were used to expose as much of the hull as possible. The ship's hull was mechanically prepared using hand and power tool cleaning methods. On July 24, 1996, the Moshulu was re-christened by the mayer of Philadelphia. In September 1997, the coating contractor and ship owner performed a follow-up visual inspection of the coatings both above and below the waterline. The coatings were performing as expected.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/87551985
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Page Range: pp 86, 88-91
• Corporate Authors:

  Technology Publishing Company

  2100 Wharton Street, Suite 310
  Pittsburgh, PA  United States  15203
• Authors:
  • FINCH, D
• Publication Date: 1998-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Photos;
• Pagination: 5 p.
• Serial:
  • Journal of Protective Coatings & Linings
  • Volume: 15
  • Issue Number: 1
  • Publisher: Steel Structures Painting Council
  • ISSN: 8755-1985

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cargo ships; Cold weather; Corrosion; Corrosion protection; Durability; Epoxy coatings; Hulls; Metal coatings; Painting; Pitting; Repairing; Steel; Surface preparation; Underwater paint; Urethane
• Subject Areas: Construction; Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00746445
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 24 1998 12:00AM