Hydrex underwater repairs in winter conditions
(Posted on 06/04/21)
In just over a week Hydrex diver/technicians travelled to Finland, Germany, the Netherlands and France to assist shipowners with damaged propeller blades. On two bulkers the blades were cropped while on a third bulker and a general cargo vessel the bent blades could be straightened.
In all cases the best solution was offered to the customer to restore the propeller’s efficiency as close to the original condition as possible.
One of the propeller blades of a 180-meter bulker was severely bent. A fast, on-site solution to restore the propeller’s balance and efficiency was needed. Hydrex therefore sent a team to the ship’s location in Rotterdam with one of the company’s workboats.
After the equipment arrived the team started the operation with a detailed survey of the ship’s propeller. This revealed that one of the other three propeller blades was also bent slightly. It was decided to straighten this blade as well.
With the survey completed and in close communication with the team leader in the monitoring station on-shore, the divers returned the bent blade to its original state. When the straightening was complete, the technicians polished the blade to make sure that any remaining loss of efficiency would be minimal. The same procedure was then repeated on the other damaged blade.
The conditions for a similar repair in Tornio, Finland were a lot less warm. All 4 blades of a 144-meter general cargo ship were bent. Hydrex mobilized a team to straighten the blades using the same procedure as on the vessel in Rotterdam. They traveled through the snowy landscapes with two vans and the needed equipment to the ship’s location.
During the operation the divers had to work in water filled with chunks of ice, but these conditions offered no problem for them. They are used to adapt to different circumstances and carried out the repair without any loss of quality.
If straightening is not an option, the affected area on the blade will be cropped. By doing this the greatest possible efficiency is achieved for the vessel. This was the case for the operations described below.
With all four blades of a 235-meter bulker’s propeller severely damaged after impact with ice, the engine was overloading. Hydrex was asked to perform an on-site repair during the ship’s stop in Rostock, Germany.
After the equipment arrived at the vessel’s location, the underwater operation started with a detailed survey of the affected propeller blades. The information acquired during the inspection was then used to calculate and determine the correct measurements needed to crop the blades.
Next the divers cropped the blade tips. When the cropping was complete, the blades were smoothened.
The 5-blade propeller of a 229-meter bulker had unfortunately suffered a similar fate. An identical repair was carried out by Hydrex diver/technicians in Dunkirk, France. The result of the operation was also the same: The propeller’s balance was restored and the efficiency was brought back to optimum condition.
Latest News
Bruks Siwertell Group announces leadership transition
(Posted on 31/03/25)Bruks Siwertell Group has announced a leadership transition as Peter Jonsson steps down as CEO after... Read more
ClassNK issues AiP for OceanWings Rigid Windsail Type WAPS
(Posted on 31/03/25)ClassNK has issued an approval in principle (AiP) for a Rigid Windsail Type Wind-Assisted Propulsion... Read more
Seafarers welcome Elcome’s new pay-as-you-go high speed internet service
(Posted on 27/03/25)Elcome International’s new high-speed internet service, WELCOME, is revolutionising the way ship... Read more
Kaiko funding to enhance resilience in maritime operations with AI
(Posted on 27/03/25)Kaiko Systems, a leader in AI-driven frontline intelligence for the maritime industry, today announced... Read more
Liebherr manufactures 2,000th LHM
(Posted on 19/03/25)Marcegaglia’s latest acquisition, the LHM 600, marks a significant milestone as the 2,000th mobile... Read more
IOMSR plays key role in pioneering maritime wind power project
(Posted on 18/03/25)The Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) is playing a key role in the development of a high-tech sail aimed... Read more
AtoB@C Shipping at halfway in newbuilding programme
(Posted on 18/03/25)AtoB@C Shipping, subsidiary of ESL Shipping, has taken delivery of Terramar in Goa, India on 14 March... Read more
Strong VIKING on track towards new goals
(Posted on 18/03/25)As a new strategy period commences, VIKING Life-Saving Equipment A/S has achieved strong financial results... Read more
Baltic Exchange introduces biofuel blends in expansion of Emissions Calculator
(Posted on 12/03/25)Baltic Exchange has introduced a series of green fuel options to its FuelEU voyage and compliance cost... Read more
Veson Nautical and Cargill expand long-standing partnership
(Posted on 06/03/25)Veson Nautical, a global leader in maritime data and freight management solutions, and Cargill have... Read more
