A1 Commercial Diving Services

Large or small, throughout the time a vessel is in the water it is continually subject to the detrimental effects of marine fouling. It is a well-documented fact that a smooth clean hull is essential to assuring optimum performance and maximum economy in the operation of any vessel.

Fuel economy is undoubtedly one of the major reasons for hull upkeep. Increased fuel consumption results from the frictional resistance of marine growth, as well as the added weight of the growth itself. Even when a vessel is only lightly fouled, the resulting increase in fuel costs when operating at normal cruising speeds can be 10 to 15%. In addition, the adverse effects of marine fouling on fuel consumption magnify as speed increases.

The U.S. Navy has performed some of the most extensive testing to date on vessel performance and fuel consumption as they relate to marine fouling. Their studies have shown that while a lightly fouled vessel can expect to see a 15% increase in fuel consumption at cruising speeds, fuel penalties associated with moderately and heavily fouled ships are projected to be double and triple, respectively, those of the lightly fouled vessel.

Fortunately, the fuel savings and improved performance which can be obtained through in-water hull cleaning, when performed on a regular basis, are equally impressive.

In addition to the penalty of escalating fuel costs, as marine growth accumulates, a vessel's speed and overall performance will suffer. In the case of shipping fleets, cruise ships and many other commercial vessels which must stick to a schedule, the throttles are simply advanced to compensate for the speed loss - regardless of the cost.

But in any vessel, an increase in RPMs to attain speed in spite of fouling will create a great deal of strain on the engine, demanding that it work progressively harder as marine fouling increases. Generally, this reduces the life of the engine and other moving parts.

Underwater hull cleaning offers the added benefit of increasing the intervals between dry-docking, since one of the major reasons for dry-docking is to clean the hull and apply new anti-fouling coatings.

A1 Commercial Diving Services uses patented hull cleaning equipment and technology to clean the marine growth from the ship's hull, while removing the minimum possible amount of underlying anti-fouling coatings. Please contact us for more information on hull cleaning, or to schedule your vessel or fleet for regular in-water hull cleaning services.