Underwater repair and maintenance specialist, Hydrex, has recently removed a bow thruster, that needed to be overhauled, from a 300-meter container ship.
This was done during a stop in Italy.
Hydrex team mobilized from the Antwerp fast response center to the vessel’s location. After they set up a monitoring station, the divers started the operation with a detailed inspection of the bow thruster unit and tunnel.
The diver/technicians then detached the blades one by one. In the meantime, initial preparations were made in the bow thruster engine room for the removal of the unit so that there would be no ingress of water once it was taken out.
The next step was to secure the gearbox with hoisting equipment. The team then disconnected the unit from the bow thruster engine room and lowered it onto a cradle.
The aim was to finish the job within the available time-frame, allowing the ship to sail perfectly on schedule.