CLEANING THE UNDERWATER HULL WITH THE SHIP AFLOAT: TECHNICAL AND ECONOMIC CONSIDERATIONS

During the past ten years, the underwater cleaning of hulls and propellers has increased and is now the normal method used by some shipowners. This increase has been due to economic incentives, to the availability of organization and equipment for underwater cleaning, & to a greater awareness of its advantages on the part of owners. After discussing the effects of hull fouling on ship performance between dockings, the Author examines, in the light of experience that has now been acquired, the advantages and limitations of underwater cleaning from the technical and economic viewpoints, with particular reference to tankers and bulk carriers. The cleaning methods considered are: (i) divers with mechanical brushes, and (ii) remotely-controlled machines such as SCAMP. It is concluded that, with the equipment now available, underwater cleaning is both practicable and economically justified, always provided that certain precautions are taken. These precautions include ensuring that the protective hull-coating has been properly applied and is in good condition; if not, it may become damaged during cleaning. Ship performance should be monitored so that those responsible can be warned in good time when cleaning becomes due; it is recommended that the first underwater cleaning should be done when speed has dropped by about 0.5 knot, or when the power requirement has increased by 10 to 15%. Once the interval between cleanings has been established, it should be followed systematically. Supervision of the operation and performance of large ships must be particularly strict because the possible losses or savings are not only larger but are more sensitive to a number of factors. Order from: BSRA as No. 47,570.

• Corporate Authors:

  Rassegna delle Industrie del Mare

  Corso Andear Podesta
  5A-20 Genoa,   Italy 

  Rassegna delle Industrie del Mare

  Corso Andrea Podesta
  5A-20 Genoa,   Italy 
• Authors:
  • Delbene, G
• Publication Date: 1977

Language

• Italian

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 10 p.
• Serial:
  • Marina Italiana
  • Volume: 75
  • Issue Number: 5
  • Publisher: Rassegna delle Industrie del Mare

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Cleaning; Cleaning equipment; Economic analysis; Fouling (Naval architecture); Hulls; Performance; Ship operations; Vehicle maintenance
• Old TRIS Terms: Hull cleaning; Hull maintenance (In water); Ship performance; Underwater hull cleaning
• Subject Areas: Economics; Maintenance and Preservation; Marine Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00170911
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: British Ship Research Association
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 29 1978 12:00AM