In-Water Hull Cleaning in Kamsar Port

In-water hull cleaning means removing fouling from the underwater hull while the ship stays afloat. In Kamsar Port, this avoids a dry-docking and keeps the ship on her loading schedule. This page explains the method, the equipment and the controls we use, so that owners know what to expect when the diver team arrives.

The Method Step by Step

The process begins with a pre-cleaning inspection by CCTV, to rate fouling and note any damage that should be avoided. The Diver then works along the hull in overlapping strips, using a rotary brush or a hand tool suited to the fouling and the coating. The supervisor follows progress by video and directs the Diver to missed areas. A final inspection records the clean surface and provides images for the report.

Equipment

Rotary brush units with soft, medium or stiff brushes, driven by hydraulic or electric power.
Hand scrapers and pads for edges, welds and tight areas.
Cavitation or water-jet tools for delicate surfaces, where suitable.
CCTV cameras and lighting to inspect before and after cleaning.
Surface-supplied air diving equipment, with a standby diver.

Choosing the Right Tool

A grey slime film needs only gentle contact, but hard shell growth may need a stiffer brush or a scraper. Foul-release coatings are soft and can be damaged by contact, so they need special care and sometimes non-contact cleaning. Self-polishing antifouling paints can be worn thin by aggressive cleaning. The Diver therefore checks the coating type with the ship's records and performs a test patch before starting the main job.

Containment and Debris

Regulators and port authorities are increasingly concerned about biological material and paint particles entering the water. Where rules require it, we use cleaning methods that reduce release, limit work on heavily fouled hulls and avoid cleaning of surfaces with damaged coatings that could release toxic material. We discuss local requirements with the agent before work, and we keep records of the area cleaned.

Safety Controls

Cleaning near the propeller, thrusters or sea chests can be dangerous. Before the Diver enters the water, the ship's engineers lock out the propeller and thrusters and close or isolate relevant sea chests. A written dive plan and permit to work are agreed with the master. We work around slack water at the anchorage to avoid strong current, and we keep a standby diver and boat ready at all times.

Ask for a Method Statement

Cleaning Records for the Biofouling Plan

Ships that keep a biofouling management plan need records of cleaning. Our report states the date, location, area cleaned, tools used, coating condition and fouling level before and after, with photographs. It can be added directly to the biofouling record book. For ships trading to ports with strict hull rules, this record is useful evidence that the hull was cleaned recently and in a controlled way.

Weather, Tide and Timing

Cleaning is more productive and safer in calm water and at slack tide. We plan the start time with the tide table, agree a stop limit for wind and swell with the master and keep a record of the weather during the job. If conditions worsen, the Diver stops, and the work resumes at the next suitable window. This planning avoids wasted dives and ensures that the surface is cleaned evenly. For large ships, we may divide the cleaning across two tidal windows, working on one side of the hull at a time, and giving the master a clear plan for the ship's position during the work.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What is the typical cleaning rate of a diver with a rotary brush?

Roughly 200 to 400 square metres per hour on a lightly fouled hull, less on hard growth.

Q2. Do all hulls need the same cleaning method?

No. The tool is chosen by coating type and fouling level, with gentler methods for foul-release and soft coatings.

Q3. How many divers work on a Panamax cleaning?

Usually two working divers, with a standby diver and a supervisor.

Q4. Is cleaning allowed alongside the berth?

It depends on port and terminal rules. We confirm with the agent and terminal before work.

Q5. How is the result checked?

By CCTV inspection after cleaning, with a report and images showing the hull surface.

In-Water Hull Cleaning in Kamsar Port