Underwater stern tube seal repair in Panama
Last month a Hydrex diver/technician team carried out underwater stern tube seal repairs on a 196m LPG tanker in Panama. The ship was suffering from an oil leak, making an on-site repair necessary. Using a Hydrex flexible mobdock the team was able to carry out the entire operation on-site and underwater, saving the owner an expensive and time-consuming trip to drydock.
Hydrex has the technology that enables repairs to be done afloat and underwater on all types of seals. We create a dry underwater working environment around a seal assembly. This allows for work on the seal assembly in dry conditions. Prior to this technology the only option was to go into drydock, along with all the attendant loss of time and money.
Every Hydrex office has a fast response center equipped with all the latest facilities, equipment and tools. These centers were designed specifically to increase speed of service. The lightweight flexible mobdocks packed in flight containers allow for a very fast mobilisation and a timely arrival of Hydrex teams on any location around the world with everything they need to successfully complete the job.
The following case study gives an account of a recent underwater stern tube seal repair performed by Hydrex.
Leaking stern tube repaired on-site
A team of Hydrex diver/technicians mobilised to the tanker’s location in Panama, together with all the needed equipment.
After the diving team had set up a monitoring station they removed the rope guard and performed a thorough underwater inspection of the stern tube seal assembly. Next they installed the flexible mobdock. The team then removed the four damaged seals one by one and replaced them with new ones.
All parts of the stern tube seal assembly were then reinstalled and secured. Leakage tests were carried out with positive results, after which the divers removed the flexible mobdock. The operation ended with the reinstallation of the rope guard.
Summary
Damaged stern tube seals will cause an increasing amount of oil leaking from the stern tube assembly as the damage worsens. By replacing the seals on-site when the damage is first discovered Hydrex can keep the down time low while the ship keeps its schedule.
