(With extra pictures) A Hydrex team has replaced three leaking bow thruster shaft seals of a six month old 400-metre container ship in Gdansk, Poland.
The operation was performed on-site and underwater using the company’s flexible mobdocks. The vessel was able to continue its commercial activities without any hindrance or delay.
Seal Inspection
After the diver/technicians set up a monitoring station on the quay, the divers started the operation by removing the rope guard covering the thruster seals. They could then perform a detailed inspection of the seal assembly and make a good assessment of the damage.
Flexible Mobdocks
The Hydrex flexible mobdocks were installed at both ends of the thruster tunnel. Next the team evacuated all water from the tunnel. In this manner a working environment with drydock-like conditions was created. This is essential for any permanent seal replacement.
The divers removed the first seal and replaced it with a new one which was then bonded. This procedure was repeated with the other two damaged seals. All seals showed cuts at the underside, which had caused the oil leak.
The operation ended with successful leakage tests, the reinstallation of the rope guard and the removal of the flexible mobdocks.
Picture: Hydrex on-site, making preparations for operation on the 400-metre container vessel. The album below contains some extra pictures of the operation. Please click the pop-out link (the little squares at the bottom right) to view the images in their proper dimensions.
