Underwater Cleaning and Polishing

At Weser Maritim, we provide underwater cleaning and polishing services in Istanbul and Turkish Straits. These services are important for keeping your vessel running well, saving fuel, and lasting longer. Our underwater cleaning service includes hull cleaning, rudder/searches, and propeller polishing.

We designed our underwater cleaning and polishing services to avoid drydocking for cost-optimization purposes. Over time, ships collect marine growth like algae, barnacles, and other organisms on their hulls and propellers.

• Increased Fuel Consumption: Biofouling increases hydrodynamic drag, causing vessels to consume more fuel to maintain speed.
• Reduced Speed and Efficiency: A fouled hull and propeller diminish propulsion efficiency, affecting voyage times and operational schedules.
• Corrosion and Damage: Marine growth can exacerbate corrosion and damage protective coatings, compromising the vessel’s structural integrity.
• Environmental Concerns: Inefficient vessels emit higher levels of greenhouse gases, contributing to environmental pollution.

By investing in regular underwater cleaning and polishing, you can optimize your vessel’s performance, reduce operational costs, and minimize environmental impact.

At Weser Maritim, we offer Propeller Cleaning and Polishing services that are critical for optimizing the hydrodynamic performance of your vessel’s propulsion system. Our certified diver-technicians employ advanced underwater cleaning methodologies and precision polishing techniques to restore propellers to their optimal condition—all without the need for dry docking.

By addressing factors such as biofouling, surface roughness, and cavitation damage, we help you achieve maximum thrust efficiency, reduce fuel consumption, and extend the lifespan of your propellers.

Propellers, typically made from materials like bronze, nickel-aluminum bronze (NAB), or stainless steel, are subjected to harsh marine environments that can lead to:

• Biofouling Accumulation: Growth of marine organisms like barnacles and algae increases surface roughness, leading to higher frictional resistance.
• Surface Degradation: Cavitation erosion, corrosion, and mechanical damage create imperfections that disrupt laminar flow.
• Hydrodynamic Inefficiencies: Altered blade profiles can cause turbulent flow, reducing propulsion efficiency and increasing fuel consumption.
• Mechanical Vibrations: Imbalances and uneven surfaces induce vibrations that can stress the propulsion system and affect structural integrity.

High-Pressure Water Jetting

We utilize specialized underwater high-pressure cleaning systems to remove stubborn marine growth from propeller surfaces without damaging the material. Powerful water jets efficiently and environmentally friendly dislodge resilient biofouling like barnacles and hard-shell encrustations, eliminating the need for chemical cleaners.

Mechanical Removal Tools

Employing rotary brushes and scrapers designed for underwater use, we effectively eliminate biofouling. These tools remove algae, slime, and tough deposits without scratching or abrading the propeller material, ensuring a clean surface ready for polishing.

Eco-Friendly Practices

All our cleaning methods comply with environmental regulations to protect marine ecosystems. We avoid harmful chemicals and ensure our processes do not introduce pollutants into the water. Removed biofouling is managed responsibly to prevent the spread of invasive species, demonstrating our commitment to environmental stewardship. 

Multi-Stage Polishing Technique

Our precision polishing process involves sequential polishing with abrasives of decreasing grit sizes, achieving a mirror-like finish on the propeller blades. This reduces surface roughness to values as low as 0.5 micrometers, minimizing frictional resistance and improving fuel efficiency and propulsion performance.

Cavitation Damage Repair

We address cavitation-induced pitting and erosion by smoothing affected areas, restoring blade integrity, and preventing further degradation. This repair extends the propeller’s operational lifespan and ensures reliable performance.

Material-Specific Approaches

Recognizing that propellers are made from various materials, such as bronze, nickel-aluminum bronze, or stainless steel, we tailor our polishing methods accordingly. This ensures optimal results without compromising structural integrity, achieving a superior finish while preventing adverse reactions or undue wear.

If you need class-approved underwater video and photo inspections, contact Weser Maritim to deliver accurate, efficient, and high-quality services.

We offer specialized Underwater Hull Cleaning services designed to maintain and enhance your vessel’s hull’s performance, fuel efficiency, and operational longevity.

Utilizing advanced underwater cleaning technologies and eco-friendly practices, our team of certified diver technicians delivers comprehensive hull cleaning solutions without needing dry docking.

By effectively removing biofouling and restoring the hull’s smoothness, we help you achieve significant fuel savings, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and comply with international maritime regulations.

Over time, marine vessels accumulate biofouling organisms such as algae, barnacles, mussels, and slime on their hull surfaces. This biofouling can lead to:

• Increased Hydrodynamic Drag: Rough hull surfaces cause greater resistance, requiring more engine power and fuel to maintain speed.
• Higher Fuel Consumption: Studies show that heavy biofouling can increase fuel consumption by up to 40%, significantly raising operational costs.
• Reduced Speed and Maneuverability: Biofouling negatively impacts vessel speed and handling, affecting schedules and safety.
• Accelerated Corrosion: Biofouling organisms can damage protective coatings, exposing the hull to corrosion and structural degradation.
• Environmental Risks: Increased emissions due to higher fuel consumption contribute to environmental pollution and non-compliance with regulations.

Our diver-technicians conduct a visual inspection to assess the extent and type of biofouling on your vessel’s hull. We evaluate the condition of anti-fouling and anti-corrosion coatings to select cleaning methods that won’t damage these protective layers. Identifying any invasive species ensures compliance with environmental guidelines and prevents the spread of non-native organisms.

Based on the assessment, we tailor our cleaning approach:

• Mechanical Cleaning Techniques: Using hydraulic or electric-powered rotary brush systems with adjustable pressure, we effectively remove biofouling without harming hull coatings. For hard-to-reach or sensitive areas, we employ scrapers, brushes, and pads for precision cleaning.
• High-Pressure Water Jetting: For stubborn biofouling, we carefully calibrate high-pressure water jets to eliminate tough marine growth while preserving the hull’s protective coatings.

Throughout the cleaning process, we adhere to eco-friendly practices, including responsible debris containment to prevent the spread of invasive species and avoiding harmful chemicals to protect marine ecosystems.

After cleaning, we perform a post-inspection to ensure all biofouling has been removed and the hull surface is clean and smooth. We check the condition of protective coatings to identify any areas needing maintenance or recoating.

We provide comprehensive reports with before-and-after photographs, detailing the cleaning process and any findings. Our reports include recommendations on maintenance schedules and necessary repairs or recoating, helping you plan future maintenance to keep your vessel operating efficiently and in compliance with regulations.

At Weser Maritim, we specialize in Sea Chest & Rudder Cleaning services that are essential for maintaining the integrity and functionality of your vessel’s critical systems. Our expert team of certified diver-technicians utilizes advanced underwater techniques and state-of-the-art equipment to deliver thorough cleaning solutions without the need for dry docking. By ensuring your sea chests and rudders are free from biofouling, corrosion, and debris, we help you achieve enhanced operational efficiency, compliance with maritime regulations, and extended equipment lifespan.

Sea Chests are integral components of a vessel’s hull, serving as intake points for seawater used in cooling, ballast, firefighting, and other essential systems. Rudders are critical for steering and maneuvering the vessel. Over time, both sea chests and rudders can accumulate marine growth, corrosion, and debris, leading to:

• Reduced Efficiency: Biofouling and debris can obstruct water flow in sea chests, impairing cooling and ballast operations, and degrading rudder performance.
• Increased Maintenance Costs: Accumulated deposits can cause wear and tear, necessitating more frequent and costly repairs.
• Safety Risks: Impaired rudder functionality can compromise vessel steering, affecting navigational safety.
• Regulatory Non-Compliance: Vessels must adhere to strict maritime regulations regarding the maintenance and cleanliness of critical systems to prevent environmental pollution and ensure operational safety.

• Thorough Inspection: Our diver-technicians perform detailed underwater inspections using high-definition cameras and non-destructive testing (NDT) methods to assess the condition of sea chests.
• Biofouling Removal: Utilizing mechanical cleaning techniques such as rotary brushes and scrapers, we effectively remove algae, barnacles, and other marine organisms without damaging the hull or sea chest structures.
• Debris Clearance: High-pressure water jetting is employed to eliminate stubborn debris and blockages, ensuring unobstructed water flow and optimal system performance.
• Corrosion Treatment: Identifying and treating areas affected by corrosion to prevent further degradation and extend the lifespan of sea chest components.
• Coating Restoration: Reapplying anti-corrosion and anti-fouling coatings to protect sea chests from future biofouling and environmental damage.
• Comprehensive Cleaning: Removing biofouling, sediment, and debris from rudder surfaces and hinges to restore smooth and efficient movement.
• Cavitation Damage Repair: Addressing surface pitting and erosion caused by cavitation to maintain rudder integrity and performance.
• Surface Polishing: Polishing rudder blades to reduce surface roughness, enhancing hydrodynamic efficiency and minimizing fuel consumption.
• Alignment and Balancing: Ensuring proper alignment and balance of the rudder to prevent vibrations and mechanical stress, thereby enhancing steering precision and vessel stability.
• Protective Coating Application: Applying advanced anti-corrosion coatings to safeguard rudder components against harsh marine environments.