Underwater Repair and Maintenance in Istanbul

Weser Maritim offers reliable, efficient, and cost-effective underwater Repair and maintenance services in Istanbul and the Turkish Straits. Our highly skilled divers and advanced technical capabilities allow us to deliver the best underwater repair service.

Our underwater repair and maintenance services include ship hull repairs, propeller repairs, underwater welding, and structural fixes. Below is the full list of our services.

Our underwater repair and maintenance includes ship hull repairs, propeller repairs, underwater welding, and structural fixes. Below is the full list of our underwater repair and maintenance services.

• Sealing Of Cracks, Indentations, And Hull Openings
• Underwater Hull Repair (Temporary & Permanent)
• Propeller Repair
• Thruster Repair & Replacement
• Stern Seal Repair & Replacement

• Underwater Rudder Repair
• Afloat Propeller Repair
• In-water Cutting, Welding, and Installation of Cofferdams
• Drilling to Arrest Cracks
• Blanking of Seachest & Overboard discharge pipes

• Anode Inspection And Replacement
• Rope Guard Removal, Refitting & Bush Renewal
• Anchor Retrieval

Weser Maritim provides ship underwater sealing cracks, indentations, and openings without the need for drydocking. Our team installs cofferdams to create a dry workspace around the damaged areas. It allows for precise welding and repairs while the vessel is floating.

Using advanced underwater cutting and welding equipment, we ensure proper repair and hull integrity. Our team ensures the quality of the work with comprehensive inspections via HD cameras and sensors.

Implementing these works while the vessel is afloat is difficult. Therefore, our team uses cofferdams in most cases. Our cofferdam systems include safety features like temperature sensors, pressure monitoring, and double-seal systems, guaranteeing high-quality repairs even in challenging marine conditions.

Our services prevent further damage, reduce idle time, and comply with international maritime safety regulations. Weser Maritim’s services meet the needs of Classification Societies and Flag State authorities for underwater work.

Weser Maritim helps ship operators maintain vessel performance, reduce maintenance costs, and extend service life via our sealing of cracks, indentations, and hull openings service.

Weser Maritim specializes in underwater hull repair services in Istanbul and the Turkish Straits.

A ship’s hull is the essential structure that allows it to remain afloat by providing buoyancy. Hull damages can be vitally important and directly affect the vessel’s seaworthiness. We offer both temporary and permanent underwater hull repairs in Istanbul.

We implement our underwater hull repairs without the need for drydocking. Our divers perform repairs while the ship remains afloat. In this way, we minimize the idle waiting time and reduce the costs for such underwater hull repairs.

In our temporary hull repair service, we offer fast temporary fixes to seal leaks and strengthen weak hull sections. Our application also protects against corrosion. This keeps your vessel safe and performing well until the permanent repairs.

For long-term solutions, we offer permanent underwater hull repairs. Our permanent repairs restore your hull to its original strength using advanced technology and certified methods. This process includes the removal of damaged sections and the installation of new plating or structural components.

With a team of highly trained professionals and state-of-the-art equipment, such as Remote-Operated Vehicles (ROVs) and ultrasonic testing devices, Weser Maritim delivers efficient and reliable underwater hull repairs that comply with international maritime regulations and safety standards.

Damaged or bent propeller blades can severely impact vessel performance. Our underwater propeller blade straightening (Cold Static Loading) process uses cold static loading techniques to restore blades to their original geometry:

• Rapid On-Site Repairs: We straighten large deflections underwater within hours, minimizing downtime.
• Advanced Techniques: Our process involves multiple cycles of cold static loading applied sequentially along the deflection, ensuring precise restoration without compromising material integrity.
• Handling Thick Sections: We can restore sections up to 50mm in thickness, approved by classification societies as permanent repairs.
• Specialized Equipment: Weser Maritim maintains a comprehensive range of purpose-designed straightening equipment suitable for various vessels—from tunnel thrusters to ultra-large container ships (ULCCs).

Our certified propeller technicians deliver sophisticated, class-approved underwater repairs, including:

• Straightening Large Bends: Correcting significant bends in propeller blades to restore optimal shape and performance.
• Removal of Damaged Blade Sections: Safely removing damaged portions of blades to prevent further issues and maintain balance.
• Crack Repair and Propagation Control: Addressing cracks promptly to prevent propagation, using techniques that ensure long-lasting repairs.
• Restoration of Hydrodynamic Edge Contours: Refining edge contours to enhance the hydrodynamic efficiency of the propeller.
• Static and Hydrodynamic Balancing: Performing on-site calculations for both static and hydrodynamic balancing, ensuring smooth operation and reducing wear on propulsion systems.
• Replacement of C.P. Blades and Blade Seals: Replacing worn or damaged controllable pitch blades and seals to maintain propulsion system reliability.
• Installation of Energy-Saving Fin Propeller Caps: Installing energy-efficient devices like propeller boss cap fins (PBCFs) to improve fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Close Visual Inspection: Conduct thorough inspections and evaluations, providing detailed reports in accordance with OEM and classification society standards.
• Blade Straightening: Capable of straightening blades from 0 to 750mm into the blade and material thicknesses of 45-50mm, restoring them to design specifications.
• Static Balancing to ISO 484 Standards: Performing static balancing in line with ISO 484 (class 1 or 2), based on precise on-site calculations.
• Damaged Blade Section and Crack Removal: Efficiently removing compromised sections to prevent further damage and maintain propeller integrity.
• Leading and Trailing Edge Repairs and Modifications: Refining blade edges to enhance performance and reduce noise and vibration.
• Diameter and Blade Area Reduction: Making adjustments to suit specific operational needs, improving efficiency and reducing engine load.
• Remediation of Propeller-Induced Engine Overload: Modifying propellers to alleviate excessive engine strain caused by propeller issues.

Optimized Fuel Efficiency: A well-maintained propeller reduces drag, leading to significant fuel savings.

Enhanced Vessel Speed: Proper propeller performance ensures that vessels reach optimal speeds.

Reduced Downtime: On-site underwater repairs minimize the need for dry-docking, saving time and costs.

Safety Compliance: Regular maintenance ensures compliance with international maritime safety standards.

We provide comprehensive thruster repair and maintenance solutions in Istanbul, Türkiye. Our thruster services are designed to enhance vessel performance and ensure safety

Thrusters, whether bow, stern, or azimuth types, are crucial to the maneuverability and operational efficiency of modern ships. They are vital auxiliary propulsion systems that provide lateral thrust, making precise navigation, docking, and close-quarters maneuvering possible.

Thrusters also play an important role in the efficiency of the vessel in ports and narrow channel navigations. Therefore, keeping the thrusters operational and maintained is vitally important.

Bow and stern thrusters allow for sideways movements to improve control and reduce reliance on tugboats. On the other hand, azimuth thrusters offer 360-degree rotation for maximum maneuverability.

Due to the nature of thrusters, regular inspections, routine maintenance, and repairs are essential for ensuring their reliability. With exposure to harsh marine environments, thrusters are prone to wear and tear, corrosion, and damage from debris.

Utilizing cutting-edge cofferdam technology, Weser Maritim offers underwater thruster repair solutions that eliminate the need for dry docking. By deploying custom-designed mobdocks (mobile cofferdams), we create a watertight workspace around the thruster tunnels. These tunnels allow our technicians to perform complex repairs while the vessel remains afloat.

This process significantly reduces downtime, making it a cost-effective solution for emergency repairs and scheduled maintenance.

Thruster blades are susceptible to damage due to underwater collisions, corrosion, and cavitation. Damaged or misaligned blades can severely impact the thrust output and overall efficiency of the vessel.

Weser Maritim provides precision blade repair services, including welding, straightening, and polishing, to restore blade performance. When necessary, we also offer full blade replacement using OEM-approved components, ensuring maximum thrust efficiency and fuel economy.

Seals play a crucial role in preventing water ingress and oil leakage within the thruster system. Over time, seals can deteriorate due to friction, thermal expansion, and contamination, leading to operational disruptions.

Weser Maritim offers the replacement of the shaft and propeller seals of thrusters. We use high-quality materials that comply with the latest environmental regulations to prevent oil spills. We also inspect and refurbish other critical components, such as bearings and bushings, to extend the life of the thruster system.

Thruster gearboxes are subject to extreme mechanical stress, and even minor misalignments can cause excessive wear and eventual failure. Weser Maritim offers comprehensive gearbox overhauls, including the repair of pinion shafts, gear sets, and bearings.

Our technicians use technological diagnostic tools to measure backlash, verify gear tooth contact patterns, and recalibrate components to OEM specifications.

Preventative maintenance is a core component of Weser Maritim’s service philosophy. We help ship operators find early signs of thruster gearbox wear, fatigue, or failure by performing regular inspections and predictive maintenance.

Our maintenance services help extend the life of thruster systems and reduce the chance of unexpected breakdowns. Our thruster gearbox service areas are the Turkish Straits (Canakkale and Bosphorus) and Istanbul.

• Backlash Measurement and Bearing Clearance Verification: Our technicians utilize precision measurement tools to check for excessive backlash and bearing clearances. This ensures that all moving parts remain within OEM tolerances to avoid premature wear.
• Propeller Blade Polishing and Alignment: Proper propeller alignment and polishing are critical to maintaining efficient thrust generation and fuel savings. We provide polishing services to remove surface imperfections and corrosion, enhancing the hydrodynamic performance of the blades.
• Non-Destructive Testing (NDT): Using methods such as ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection, and ACFM (Alternating Current Field Measurement), we detect structural weaknesses, cracks, and corrosion in thruster components without causing any damage, ensuring long-term operational integrity.

Our use of advanced cofferdam technology sets us apart in the maritime service industry. By enabling in-water repairs, we eliminate the need for costly dry dockings, allowing our clients to maximize operational uptime.

If you need to replace a blade quickly or change a seal, our cofferdam solutions are flexible and cost saver. They also provide fast service. This innovation is very useful for ships with tight schedules. It is also beneficial for those working in remote areas where dry docking cannot be done.

Our use of advanced cofferdam technology sets us apart in the maritime service industry. By enabling in-water repairs, we eliminate the need for costly dry dockings, allowing our clients to maximize operational uptime.

Whether it’s an emergency blade replacement or a routine seal change, our cofferdam solutions provide flexibility, cost savings, and rapid turnaround times. This innovation is particularly advantageous for vessels operating on tight schedules or in remote locations where dry docking is not feasible.

At Weser Maritim, we specialize in underwater stern tube seal repairs and replacements. Our team of skilled diver-technicians can replace and repair seals without dry docking. This saves you time and avoids the costs of taking your vessel out of service.

Stern seals, also known as stern tube seals, are critical components of a vessel’s propulsion system. They are located where the propeller shaft exits the ship’s hull at the stern. These seals serve two primary functions. These functions are preventing seawater ingress and lubricant egress.

We understand that even small stern tube leaks can turn into big problems. These issues can cause downtime and expensive repairs.

Stern tube oil pollution happens when damaged stern seal leaks allow lubricating oil to escape into the ocean, causing significant environmental harm. These leaks contaminate marine ecosystems, harm wildlife, and contribute to the degradation of ocean health. Furthermore, they can lead to legal penalties and financial losses for ship owners due to strict regulations against ship-source pollution.

• Specialized Expertise: Our engineers are specialists in stern tube seal overhauls and repairs. They bring a level of knowledge and experience that goes beyond general shipyard capabilities.
• Technical Support: Backed by our dedicated engineering department, we provide comprehensive technical assistance throughout the repair process.
• OEM-Independent Solutions: We are not tied to any specific manufacturer. This independence allows us to service all major stern seal brands, including Simplex®, Kobelco®, Kemel®, Lagersmit®, and Wärtsilä®.
• Extensive Spare Parts Inventory: We maintain a vast stock of high-quality spare parts, ensuring prompt service without unnecessary delays.
• Extended Warranty: All our services and parts come with an extended warranty, giving you peace of mind and assurance of quality.

Our underwater rudder repair and maintenance ensures your vessel’s steering mechanism remains functional and efficient without the need for dry docking.

Rudders are critical components that require special attention to maintain optimal performance and safety. Our skilled diver-technicians are equipped to perform complex repairs swiftly, minimizing downtime and keeping your vessel on schedule.

• Damage Assessment: Comprehensive inspection to identify cracks, corrosion, erosion, or structural damage.
• Wet Welding Repairs: Permanent underwater wet welding to fix erosion or cavitation damage, approved on a case-by-case basis by classification societies.
• Replacement Services: If necessary, we can remove and install new rudder blades underwater, using buoyancy control techniques for heavy lifts up to 300 tons.

• Rudder Stock Services: Repair, removal, or installation of rudder stocks to address issues like misalignment or wear.
• Pintle Bushing and Shaft Replacement: Precision engineering to replace worn or damaged pintle bushings and shafts, ensuring smooth rudder operation.
• Rudder Horn Repair: Structural repairs to the rudder horn, restoring integrity and performance.

• Flap Repair and Installation: Expert repairs or replacements of rudder flaps, crucial for high-lift rudder systems.
• Isolation Techniques: Implementing isolation methods to prevent damage from galvanic corrosion.

• Atmospheric and Hyperbaric Cofferdams: Creation of dry, controlled environments underwater to facilitate complex repairs.
• Permanent Wet Weld Repairs: Our certified diver-welders perform class-approved wet welding to repair cracks and structural damage without dry docking.

Sea chests are openings in a vessel’s hull that allow seawater to be drawn in for cooling, ballast, firefighting, and other essential functions. Overboard discharge pipes are used to expel water and other fluids from the ship back into the sea.

Blanking the sea chest and overboard discharge pipes means temporarily sealing or covering these openings on a ship’s hull. This procedure is done to stop seawater from entering the vessel. It also prevents fluids from leaking into the sea during maintenance, repairs, or emergencies. Blanking allows for safe and efficient work on internal piping systems without the need for drydocking the ship.

At Weser Maritim, we specialize in blanking of sea chests and overboard discharge pipes. Our strong technical skills and modern equipment keep your vessel running while we work on such critical areas.

Over time, these components may require inspection, maintenance, or emergency repairs due to various issues. Valve malfunctions, such as the failure of sea chest or discharge valves, can compromise the vessel’s safety and performance. Corrosion and erosion from continuous exposure to seawater can lead to material degradation, leaks, or structural weaknesses.

Additionally, blockages caused by marine growth, debris, or biofouling can obstruct flow and negatively affect system efficiency. Furthermore, regular inspections are necessary to meet environmental and safety regulations, ensuring regulatory compliance and the vessel’s ongoing operational integrity.

• Sealing and Isolation: We install custom-fabricated blanking plates over sea chest openings, effectively isolating them from seawater ingress.
• Diverse Configurations: Capable of handling various sea chest designs, including rectangular, circular, and complex shapes.
• Material Compatibility: Use of high-grade materials compatible with different hull compositions to prevent galvanic corrosion.
• Pressure Testing: Ensuring the integrity of the seal before internal maintenance begins.
• Safe Closure: Installation of blanking plugs or plates on discharge outlets to prevent seawater from entering the system during repairs.
• Adaptability: Solutions for pipes of various diameters and configurations.
• Leak Detection: Pre and post-installation inspections to verify sealing effectiveness.

• Certified Professionals: Our divers are trained and certified to perform complex underwater operations safely and efficiently.
• Technical Proficiency: Expertise in hydrodynamics, marine engineering, and underwater welding and cutting techniques.
• Custom Blanking Solutions: Fabrication of tailor-made blanking plates and plugs to fit specific vessel requirements.
• Underwater Tools: Use of advanced hydraulic and pneumatic tools designed for underwater applications.
• Remote Monitoring: Implementation of underwater cameras and communication systems for real-time monitoring and coordination.

At Weser Maritim, we provide expert anode inspection and replacement services to protect your vessel’s hull and other underwater structures from corrosion in Istanbul, Türkiye.

Our deep technical expertise and advanced underwater capabilities ensure that your cathodic protection system remains effective, prolonging the lifespan of your vessel and reducing maintenance costs. By performing these services underwater, we eliminate the need for dry docking, keeping your operations efficient and cost-effective.

Sacrificial anodes are a critical component of a vessel’s cathodic protection system. They corrode preferentially to protect the more valuable metal components of the ship’s hull, propellers, rudders, and other components. Over time, anodes degrade and lose their protective effectiveness, necessitating regular inspection and timely replacement.

• Visual Assessment: Our certified divers conduct thorough visual inspections to assess the condition of existing anodes, checking for wear, damage, or detachment.
• Measurement and Documentation: Detailed measurements of anode wastage levels are recorded, providing a clear assessment of remaining anode life.
• Corrosion Monitoring: Evaluation of the overall effectiveness of the cathodic protection system, identifying areas of accelerated corrosion or potential failures.
• Strategic Planning: Based on inspection findings, we develop a tailored replacement plan to address specific vessel requirements.
• Material Compatibility: Offering zinc, aluminum, or magnesium anodes based on the operating environment (saltwater, brackish water, or freshwater).
• Design Optimization: Providing anodes in various shapes and sizes to suit different hull configurations and components.
• Preparation: Cleaning of the attachment area to ensure proper electrical contact.
• Attachment Methods: Utilizing welding, bolting, or clamping techniques as appropriate.
• Quality Assurance: Verifying secure installation and electrical continuity.
• System Inspection: Checking ICCP components such as reference electrodes, anodes, and control units.
• Component Replacement: Underwater replacement of faulty or degraded ICCP system parts.
• System Calibration: Adjusting output levels to ensure optimal corrosion protection.

Rope Guard removal, refitting, and bush renewal are essential maintenance procedures performed on a ship’s propeller shaft assembly. These works are critical for ensuring the smooth operation of the vessel’s propulsion system.

Weser Maritim offers underwater rope guard removal, refitting, and bush renewal. These services prevent entanglement damage and keep the shaft bearings in good condition.

Rope guards are protective devices fitted around the propeller shaft near the stern tube to prevent ropes, fishing lines, nets, and other debris from entangling around the shaft and damaging the stern tube seals. Bushes, often referred to as shaft bearings or liners, support and align the propeller shaft, ensuring smooth rotation and minimizing wear.

• Protection Against Entanglement: Rope guards shield the stern tube seals from damage caused by foreign objects.
• Seal Integrity Maintenance: Preventing debris ingress helps maintain the integrity of the stern tube seals, avoiding oil leaks and seawater ingress.
• Shaft Alignment and Support: Bushes ensure proper alignment of the propeller shaft, reducing vibration and mechanical stress.

• Inspection: Certified diver-technicians perform underwater inspections to assess the condition of the rope guard, identifying damage, corrosion, or misalignment.
• Documentation: Detailed reports with photographs and measurements are provided for client review.
• Cutting Techniques: Utilizing advanced underwater cutting equipment (hydraulic, pneumatic, or thermal), we carefully remove damaged or corroded rope guards.
• Safety Protocols: Strict adherence to safety standards to protect both personnel and the vessel.
• Fabrication: If necessary, we can fabricate custom rope guards to match the vessel’s specifications.
• Welding: Underwater welding techniques are employed to secure the new rope guard in place.
• Bolt-On Solutions: For vessels equipped with bolt-on rope guards, we use specialized tools to install and secure them effectively.
• Quality Assurance: Post-installation inspections ensure proper fitment and integrity.
• Material Selection: Providing high-quality bushes made from materials such as bronze, composite polymers, or specialized alloys suitable for underwater installation.

• Wear Assessment: Measuring bush clearances to determine wear levels and identify the need for renewal.
• Vibration Analysis: Detecting misalignment or damage through vibration patterns.
• Extraction Techniques: Using hydraulic jacks, pullers, or cutting tools to remove the old bush without damaging the shaft or housing.
• Environmental Considerations: Containment measures to prevent debris from polluting the marine environment.
• Precision Fitting: Ensuring proper alignment and clearance to meet OEM specifications.
• Securing Methods: Utilizing interference fits, set screws, or locking mechanisms as required.
• Alignment Verification: Checking shaft alignment to prevent future wear or mechanical issues.
• Operational Testing: Rotational tests to confirm smooth operation.

Anchor retrieval refers to recovering a ship’s anchor that has become lost, stuck, or unable to be raised using the vessel’s standard anchoring equipment. This operation is critical for restoring a vessel’s anchoring capability, ensuring navigational safety, and preventing environmental hazards due to abandoned anchors.

At Weser Maritim, we offer specialized underwater anchor retrieval services designed to efficiently and safely recover lost or stuck anchors in Istanbul. Anchors are critical for vessel operations, providing stability and security when moored. However, anchors can become lost or fouled due to various underwater hazards, leading to operational delays and additional costs.

Our team of experienced diver technicians utilizes advanced equipment and methodologies to retrieve anchors and restore your vessel’s anchoring capabilities promptly.

• Operational Continuity: A missing or fouled anchor can disrupt schedules, leading to costly delays.
• Safety Compliance: Vessels must have functional anchoring systems to meet safety regulations.
• Cost Savings: Recovering an anchor is often more cost-effective than purchasing a new one, especially for larger anchors.
• Complex Underwater Environments: Anchors may become entangled in seabed obstructions like rocks, coral reefs, or submerged debris.
• Depth and Visibility: Retrieval operations can be complicated by deep water and low visibility conditions.
• Heavy Equipment Handling: Anchors and chains are substantial in weight and require specialized lifting equipment and techniques.

• Sonar Scanning: Utilizing side-scan and multibeam sonar to locate lost anchors and chains.
• ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles): Deploying ROVs equipped with cameras and manipulators for deep or hazardous areas.
• Assessment: Evaluating the seabed conditions and entanglement factors.
• Method Selection: Determining the most effective retrieval technique based on location, depth, and environmental considerations.
• Diver-Assisted Recovery: Experienced divers attach recovery lines or slings to the anchor and chain.
• Heavy Lift Solutions: Using cranes, winches, or lift bags to raise the anchor to the surface.
• Safety Measures: Implementing rigorous safety protocols to protect personnel and the environment.
• Visual Inspection: Divers assess the anchor’s condition and the nature of the obstruction.
• Mechanical Cutting: Using underwater cutting tools to sever entangling lines or debris.

• Obstacle Identification: Identifying if the anchor is caught on rocks, cables, pipelines, or other submerged objects.
• Hydraulic Equipment: Applying hydraulic jacks or spreaders to free anchors wedged in crevices.
• Controlled Detachment: Carefully maneuvering the anchor to release it without causing damage.
• Wear and Corrosion Assessment: Evaluating the condition of anchors, chains, and windlasses.
• Non-Destructive Testing: Using ultrasonic testing to detect internal flaws or weaknesses.
• Welding and Fabrication: Performing underwater welding to repair damaged anchor components.
• Anode Installation: Attaching sacrificial anodes to prevent corrosion.
• Cleaning: Removing marine growth to ensure optimal anchor performance.
• Lubrication: Applying underwater lubricants to moving parts.