In partnership with a network of industry stakeholders, Rcube Enterprises offers unparalleled services in underwater maintenance and inspection. Our unique dive stations, available globally 24/7, provide fixed-price solutions global locations, encompassing tasks such as propeller polishing, hull cleaning, and inspections. This standardized pricing structure enables accurate planning and budgeting for underwater maintenance, ensuring transparency and cost-effectiveness for our clients.
PROPELLER POLISHING
The aim of polishing a propeller underwater is to reduce the surface roughness caused by the build-up of marine fouling. A smooth propeller surface is inhospitable to marine organisms and enhances the efficiency of the propeller, in turn optimising the vessel’s performance. Propeller polishing is either arranged based upon planned intervals or vessel performance but as a rule of thumb, intervals of six to 12 months (depending upon vessel size, trading activity and location) are standard and one of the most common and regular in-water activities conducted globally.
HULL CLEANING
Unlike propeller polishing, hull cleaning is usually difficult to plan for. This is because the paint system is often unpredictable and once fouling starts to build up it is near impossible to pin point. Rcube Enterprises advocates cleaning early when slime starts to form rather than when heavy growth such as barnacles start to build up.
A build up of marine fouling such as barnacles or tubeworm can cause turbulence, cavitation and noise, affecting the performance of sonars, speed logs and other hull mounted sensors. Most of our clients therefore combine the vessel’s performance data with regular in-water hull paint and fouling inspections which are often combined with a propeller polish. This allows information on paint performance to be gathered cost effectively and the decision to arrange for hull cleaning can be made based on accurate and up-to-date information.
In addition, Rcube Enterprises helps clients make an educated decision on the best technology; cleaning with divers or ROV, brushes or contactless, closed circuit or open circuit. Rcube Enterprises’s hull cleaning and propeller polishing service can result in a hugely positive impact on a vessel’s hydrodynamic performance and fuel consumption.
ENVIRONMENTAL COMPLIANCE AND REGULATIONS
Rcube Enterprises can accurately advise on global fouling control compliance regulations. In many locations propeller polishing and hull cleaning are prohibited by local authorities due to the environmental impact these activities may have. Closed circuit propeller polishing and hull cleaning is slowly reopening ports around the globe which have stopped polish and hull cleaning. Rcube Enterprises has partnerships in place with a range of high tech suppliers who offer closed circuit ROV hull cleaning.
INSPECTION AND CONDITION MONITORING SERVICES
We can enable dry dock extensions in lieu of dry dock surveys, damage assessments and hull paint/fouling inspection.
