REVIEW OF UNDERWATER CLEANING METHODS AND THEIR INTERACTION ON NAVY ANTIFOULING PAINT SYSTEMS

Until such time that improved AF paints can be developed with environmentally accepted toxicants having long-term effective resistance to a wide spectrum of fouling organisms, other techniques are needed to resolve the problem. Heretofore, the concept of application and renewal of AF paint systems on ships was restricted to drydock operations. Little thought, until recently, was given to periodic maintenance and repair of hull AF paint systems while the ship remained waterborne. This paper summarizes the use of underwater cleaning methods in combination with present Navy AF paint systems to improve anti-fouling performance and extend service life. The paper examines in logical sequence: hull fouling from the viewpoint of the underwater observer to determine when intervention for its removal is required; underwater cleaning methods currently in use; problems and benefits of periodic mechanical cleaning on the painted surface from a laboratory and field approach; some examples of full scale cleaning by diver-held rotary power brushes and by semi-automatic diver guided multibrush vehicles; and concludes with some unexpected gains to be derived from the combination process as well as some unsolved problems for future study.

• Corporate Authors:

  Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology

  Cresent and Mulberry Streets
  Harrisburg, PA  United States  19107
• Authors:
  • Cologer, C P
  • Bohlander, G S
  • Preiser, H S
• Publication Date: 1977-5

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 51-60
• Serial:
  • Journal of Coatings Technology
  • Volume: 49
  • Issue Number: 628
  • Publisher: Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Antifouling coatings; Cleaning; Coatings; Hulls; Marine fouling; Underwater paint
• Old TRIS Terms: Coating performance; Hull cleaning; Underwater hull cleaning
• Subject Areas: Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00156811
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federation of Societies for Coatings Technology
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 2 1977 12:00AM