Full Hull Cleaning and Propeller Polishing at Koh Si Chang Anchorage
- MaxiDive
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
MaxiDive completed Full Hull Cleaning and Propeller Polishing for a commercial vessel at Koh Si Chang Anchorage, Thailand. The operation focused on removing hard and soft marine growth from the underwater hull, cleaning selected appendage and niche areas, and restoring the propeller surface condition through professional underwater polishing.
The work was carried out in moderate sea conditions with approximately 3 meters of underwater visibility. MaxiDive’s commercial diving team used hydraulic and hand tools to complete hull cleaning, propeller polishing and technical underwater documentation while the vessel remained afloat.
Full Hull Cleaning and Propeller Polishing Scope at Koh Si Chang Anchorage
The vessel’s underwater surfaces were found with a combination of soft and hard marine growth, including slime, barnacles and tube worm coverage across multiple hull and appendage areas. The cleaning scope focused on restoring underwater surface visibility, reducing marine growth coverage and documenting the final condition after cleaning.
The operation included:
Full underwater hull cleaning
Flat bottom cleaning
Vertical side cleaning
Sea chest grating cleaning
Discharge and niche area cleaning
Propeller cleaning and polishing
Rudder area cleaning
Before-and-after photo documentation
Underwater condition reporting
Commercial diving support at anchorage
Hull Cleaning and Surface Condition
The hull was documented with hard and soft marine growth on both port and starboard sides. The flat bottom also showed marine growth coverage before cleaning. MaxiDive’s diving team removed the fouling using suitable underwater cleaning tools, with before-and-after records prepared for technical review.
During the inspection, abrasion consistent with anchor chain contact was noted in the bow area. Where visible, the underwater coating and weld seams were generally documented in good condition, although selected areas of bare steel and light pitting were observed near the bow. No structural damage or major underwater anomalies were reported.
Sea Chest, Discharges and Appendage Cleaning
Sea chest gratings were cleaned and documented as secure, with no contact damage or abnormalities noted. Discharge areas and other appendage zones were also reviewed and cleaned where required.
These areas are important because marine growth can collect around gratings, openings and niche zones more heavily than on open hull surfaces. Regular underwater cleaning helps support vessel operation, cooling-water flow awareness and general ship husbandry planning.
Sacrificial anodes were found active, secure and partially depleted, which was documented for the vessel’s maintenance records.
Propeller Polishing from Rubert D to Rubert A
The propeller assembly was found with heavy marine growth before cleaning, including hard growth, soft growth and calcareous deposits. Initial blade surface roughness was measured at Rubert Scale grade D.
MaxiDive’s commercial diving team cleaned the propeller using hydraulic tools and polishing discs, then completed propeller polishing with grit polishing discs. After polishing, the average blade surface roughness was documented as Rubert Scale grade A.
This improvement in propeller surface condition supports smoother water flow across the blades and helps vessel managers maintain propeller efficiency as part of regular underwater ship maintenance.
Light cavitation was documented on the propeller blades. The boss cap was found intact, and the rope guard was documented with approximately 30% bare steel, without structural abnormalities.
Rudder and Niche Area Cleaning
The rudder assembly was documented with hard and soft marine growth before cleaning. After cleaning, the rudder area was free from marine growth, with the paint coating recorded in good condition.
The niche area was also cleaned and documented. The rudder anode was secure and active, with partial depletion noted, and the drain plug showed no leakage.
Before-and-After Documentation for Vessel Managers
Before-and-after underwater documentation gives vessel managers and technical superintendents a clear record of the work completed. It shows the condition before cleaning, the cleaned result, and any findings that may require future monitoring or maintenance planning.
For this project, MaxiDive documented hull, sea chest, flat bottom, propeller and rudder-related areas to support the vessel’s maintenance records and technical review.
MaxiDive provides commercial diving services in Thailand for underwater hull cleaning, propeller polishing, underwater inspection, sea chest cleaning, biofouling cleaning, rope removal and emergency underwater repair at Koh Si Chang Anchorage and other Thai ports and anchorages.
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