When you think about ship maintenance, the first thing that comes to mind is that the ship will be taken out of the water before maintenance work can happen. But did you know that maintenance can still be done without taking the ship out of the water?
Yes, That’s where dive services come in. Professional dive teams are capable of keeping ships clean and one of their most important tasks is Hull cleaning and maintenance.
In this article, we’ll consider the importance of this service and how it helps you as a ship owner save time, money and fuel. Read on:
Why Hull Cleaning Is So Important
Overtime, marine growth like algae and other biofouling will gather on your ship hulls. Though it may seem like a normal thing, this buildup starts to affect your ship, causing it to use more fuel to travel the same distance.
This doesn’t just increase the cost of operation, it also:
- Reduces fuel efficiency
- Leads to higher emissions
- Can damage the protective coatings on the hull
Keeping the hull clean helps your ship glide through the water more easily, extending the lifespan of the ship and reducing its impact on the environment.
What Dive Services Actually Do
Dive services employ the service of trained commercial divers to clean and inspect the ship hulls while the vessel is still in the water. No haul-out required.
Here’s what the process usually looks like:
- Initial inspection
Divers perform an inspection where they check the condition of the hull for any damage or biofouling.
- Cleaning
They proceed to clean the hull with tools like hydraulic brushes, scrapers or high-pressure tools. They remove marine growth without harming the coating of the hull.
- Documentation
Some services provide photos and video footage so that you can see exactly what’s going on underwater and how your ship is being cleaned.
- Reporting
After the cleaning process, a report is prepared to highlight everything that was done, what was found and any area that needs more attention.
Benefits of Using Dive Services
The best decision you can make to keep your ship working during maintenance is to hire a professional dive team. Some of the top benefits include:
Cost effective
Cleaning your ship regularly in water helps to prevent emergency repairs.
No downtime
You don’t have to take the ship out of the water before it’s cleaned and maintained.This means there’s no need for dry docking.
Environmental compliance
Clean hulls means the ship is safe for the marine environment.
How Often Should You Schedule a Hull Cleaning?
There’s no fixed timeframe to how often you should schedule a hull cleaning for your ship but it’s recommended that you carry out a hull cleaning and inspection every 3 to 6 months. It all depends on factors like how often the ship is used and regulatory requirements in local ports.
When you work with a reliable dive service provider, they can help you set up a regular maintenance schedule that allows your ship to remain in the best shape and condition.
Conclusion
Working with a reliable dive service is non-negotiable if you want to keep your ship efficient and environmentally sustainable. They help you maintain your ship and avoid costly repairs without pulling it out of the water. If you’re not already working with a dive service provider as part of your routine for maintaining your ship hull, you should start now. It’s one of the easiest ways to protect your investment and keep your operations running without any hassle.
