Hydrex – Underwater Repair in France Avoids Drydocking

To save time and money for the owners of a 270-meter container vessel that was leaking oil, a Hydrex diver/technician team replaced three stern tube seals, using one of the company’s flexible mobdocks. This enabled the team to carry out the entire operation on-site and underwater during the vessel’s stop in Le Havre.

After the divers and all equipment had arrived at the vessel, the Hydrex team leader met up with the vessel’s owner and superintendent while the rest of the diving team set up a workstation to monitor all underwater activities. Next all quayside preparations were made for the main activity, which started immediately with the removal of the rope guard. The divers then performed a thorough underwater inspection and shaft weardown readings. This revealed that a rope was tangled around the stern tube seal assembly, causing the oil leak. The rope was removed and the split rings were disconnected and brought to the surface to be cleaned.

Next the team installed the flexible mobdock, creating a dry working environment around the stern tube seal assembly that allowed the entire assembly to be cleaned. Subsequently the divers removed the first seal and replaced it with a new one which was then bonded. This procedure was repeated with the other two damaged seals. They then reinstalled and secured all parts of the stern tube seal assembly. After a successful leakage test the flexible mobdock was removed and the rope guard repositioned.

Hydrex has carried out repairs and replacements on all types of seals on-site and underwater, for a number of years now. This helps owners to extend their vessel’s drydock interval and eliminates the loss of time and production brought about by drydocking.

Using the Hydrex flexible mobdocks, fast response to any emergency call is guaranteed to locations around the world from the various Hydrex offices.

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Source: Hydrex, May 11, 2012