Ship&Offshore | Ausgabe 02/2017
Underwater rudder repairs offer competitive option
A new and redesigned version of Mobdock, first introduced to the market by Hydrex Underwater Technologies in 2002, now enables permanent in-water rudder repairs to be carried out as an alternative to drydocking. This new option can save shipowners thousands of dollars in emergency drydocking costs, according to Dave Bleyenberg, the company’ production executive, who revealed that the new equipment has been in constant use since it was launched recently. “The equipment can be mobilised to any port in the world,” he explained, “enabling us to expedite permanent rudder repairs at a moment’s notice. Major rudder defects often result in unscheduled, emergency drydocking, but class-approved, permanent repairs are now possible in situ. Engineering, welding and inspection teams can now perform their tasks underwater in a clean, dry environment, reducing maintenance and repair costs without the loss of time and money associated with drydocking and without disruption to a vessel’s operational profile.”