Skip to content
Tema · Ghana

Underwater Hull Cleaning at Tema Port

Diver-operated hull cleaning and propeller polishing in water, with video record, without taking the vessel off her schedule.

Underwater view of a vessel's propeller blade and boss showing marine growth on the surface

Fouling on the hull and propeller costs fuel every hour the vessel steams. A moderately fouled hull can add well over ten percent to consumption, which on a long ballast leg is a bigger number than the cleaning ever was.

Marine Surveys Africa cleans hulls and polishes propellers in water, alongside or at anchorage, using our own divers and equipment. The vessel keeps her schedule, and the work is recorded on video so the owner, the charterer and the class surveyor can all see what was done.

We also carry out in-water inspections and general underwater condition surveys, including anode checks, sea chest and grating clearance, rope guard inspection and propeller damage assessment.

Cargoes worked at Tema

  • Containers
  • Cocoa
  • Grain and rice
  • Clinker and cement
  • General cargo

What came out of the hold and what goes in next is what decides the cleanliness grade required and the method we use.

Method

How we work

  1. 01

    Pre-dive survey

    Dive inspection of hull, propeller, rudder, sea chests and anodes, with video, before any cleaning begins.

  2. 02

    Authority clearance

    Diving permission obtained from the port authority and the terminal, and the vessel's own permit-to-work and lockout procedures agreed with the master.

  3. 03

    Hull cleaning

    Flat bottom, vertical sides and boot top cleaned with equipment matched to the coating, so the antifouling is not damaged.

  4. 04

    Propeller polishing

    Blades polished to restore surface finish, both faces, with the boss and rope guard cleared.

  5. 05

    Report and video

    Written report with before and after video, suitable for submission to owners, charterers, class or underwriters.

Underwater Hull Cleaning at Tema

Tell us the vessel, the call date and the last cargo carried. We come back within two hours with a firm quote.