Underwater Propeller Repair Performed In-Situ by Hydrex in Algeciras, Spain

Underwater propeller repair (http://www.hydrex.be) performed in-situ by Hydrex in Algeciras, Spain on a roro vessel suffering from severe propeller damage.

Clearwater, FL, April 08, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Underwater propeller repair (http://www.hydrex.be) was just performed in-situ by Hydrex in Algeciras, Spain when a roro vessel was suffering from severe damage to its propeller blades and experiencing loss of speed. Hydrex was brought in to bring the propeller’s performance as close to its optimum performance as could be achieved during the vessels stop in Algeciras.

Due to a gradual deterioration in engine performance, the heavy running propeller was no longer operating at the correct pitch and the engine was going into overload due to having inadequate power to achieve the required rpm. A repair was therefore demanded by the classification society.

“Hydrex is renowned for being called in to provide aid to ships owners, operators and managers with emergency ship repair solutions and then performing the needed repairs,” says René Huijbregts, Senior Project Manager, Hydrex N.V. “In this instance our technical department proposed cropping the blades to remove the vibrations and in doing so restore the propeller’s performance as much as possible.”

Huijbregts goes on to explain that after the customer accepted the plan, a diver-technician team was immediately mobilized from the Hydrex office in Algeciras, together with the equipment needed for the propeller blade cropping.

The team quickly arrived at the vessel and set up a monitoring station on shore. An underwater inspection was first performed to make a full assessment of the damage. The information acquired was then used to calculate and determine the correct measurements needed to modify the trailing edges of the propeller in order to restore optimal efficiency.

The actual propeller repair job consisted of the four blades being modified one after the other by the Hydrex diver-technicians. The area to be cropped was marked out on each blade and verified. The blade was then cropped and its edge grinded to give it the correct radius. When the cropping was completed, the blades were polished to make sure that any remaining loss of efficiency would be minimal.

Throughout the operation, the Hydrex office in Algeciras remained in close communication with the technical department at Hydrex N.V. in Antwerp, Belgium. By doing so the propeller’s balance could be restored and their hydrodynamic efficiency was optimized to suit the power requirements of the engine. This allowed the vessel to sail until the next scheduled drydocking when permanent repairs will be reformed.

Underwater propeller repair (http://www.hydrex.be), ship repair and maintenance company, Hydrex N.V. was founded in Antwerp, Belgium in 1974. The company, serving both the shipping and offshore industry, has grown to become one of the leading international companies providing a comprehensive range of underwater maintenance and repair services. Hydrex specializes in cutting edge underwater repair and maintenance technology and solutions that are performed in-situ resulting in ship owners often finding drydocking is not necessary so time, trouble and expense are saved. Hydrex underwater services cover all types of repair including highly technical repairs or replacements such as thrusters, propellers, rudders, stern tube seals, and damaged or corroded hulls. All job categories are approved by classification societies. For more information on Hydrex and to contact the West Africa office or one of their other international offices visit http://www.hydrex.be.

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Jeannine Dowdell
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www.hydrex.be
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