Thai Subsea Services Ltd., in collaboration with our European partners, performed a permanent hull insert plate repair on a cruise vessel during this busy holiday season.

 

After meeting with the overseas dive/technician team directly from the airport, and checking into the vessel at Laem Chabang, Thailand, the teams immediately got to work.

An internal inspection revealed through-hull damage to the bottom of one of her Starboard ballast tanks.  

The affected area was in line with the end of a sounding pipe and was found heavily corroded.

The solution was to cut out the damaged area and install a fresh new plate in its place.

A successful operation would mean a permanent Class-approved repair for the client, whose upcoming voyage was only days away.

                                                

Firstly, a watertight cofferdam was installed underwater at the repair location to safely encompass the roughly 350 mm x 350 mm section of damaged hull plating. 

Once the cofferdam was installed and dewatered, the teams proceeded to cut away the corroded area and prepare for the insert plate.

The replacement plate was fabricated and prepared by the teams on site, followed by coded welding to complete the repair.

Due to time restraints, the teams worked in shifts to continue operations well into the night, all safe in knowing the dive team was also monitoring the subsea cofferdam.  

After the full penetration welding was complete, a 3rd party contractor performed ultrasonic NDT on the welds. Following the inspector’s approval, the cofferdam was removed and a final underwater survey was carried out to inspect the weld root.

Thanks to the quick mobilization and performance of the dive teams, all work was completed successfully and in time for the vessel’s departure.

Thai Subsea Services Ltd., is the nationwide leader in advanced subsea ship services and repair solutions. With a consistently growing network of international partnerships, collaborators, and vendors, we aim to remain your #1 choice for 2025!