Ship Husbandry

SMS offer a fully comprehensive underwater ship hull maintenance service. From establishment in 1980 the scope of our work has included in-water hull cleaning, propeller polishing, rudder, propeller and plating repairs and classification society approved in-water surveys. Our experienced underwater engineers and diver inspectors understand the complexities of such work and, as part of the SMS team, embrace the challenge of undertaking these specialist and often innovative tasks.

Underwater Hull Cleaning

SMS have been cleaning ships underwater for more than two decades and during this time we have built up a good reputation for reliability with owners and management companies worldwide.

SMS have the only permanently based hull cleaning station in the UK, with our own diving support/work boats located at Falmouth Docks. Being the world’s third largest natural deep-water harbour, Falmouth is ideally situated at the entrance to the English Channel. The water conditions here favour all types of in-water ship husbandry and maintenance including hull cleaning.

- The Piranha -

For the fastest and most up-to-the-minute cleaning technology available SMS operate the specially built PIRANHA machine. It is completely road transportable and can be easily deployed throughout the UK & Europe.

Underwater Propeller polishing

Propeller polishing is an operation SMS are increasingly asked to carry out in today’s fuel-efficiency conscious climate. Careful monitoring of ship performance has shown that a power saving of 10 - 20% can be achieved following effective propeller cleaning and polishing. After underwater polishing, bunker consumption savings of 3 - 8% can realistically be expected.

The SMS “Propduster” system not only removes any marine fouling and vastly reduces surface roughness but it successfully polishes with no loss of metal. The “Propduster” system employs a high-speed hydraulic rotary machine with a specially designed underwater head and flexible abrasive polishing pads. It is specifically manufactured for its purpose and, being flexible and positively buoyant, the pads adapt exceptionally to the varying contours and geometry of the propeller blades.

The polishing operation is conducted using the Rubert Comparator Gauge as a standard to assess and report on propeller blade surface condition, before and after polishing.

Propeller polishing in water usually produces a better finish than the same operation carried out in the dry because water naturally lubricates the propeller surface and provides access for the diver without the requirement for staging. The polishing head is continually water-cooled and the diver has no need to exert pressure on the machine because the rotation creates a vortex suction. This means the pad polishes evenly and produces no scouring.

Underwater Repairs

SMS regularly carry out assignments which include:

• Wet welding
• Aperture blanking
• Propeller blade repair and replacement
• Bilge keel cropping
• Anode replacement

For further information please see the "Underwater Repairs page" on this site

Underwater Survey and Inspection

SMS offer a fully comprehensive service providing:

• Colour CCTV
• Still photos
• NDT
• Ultrasonic testing
• Damage assessment

For further information please see our "In Water Survey & Inspection" page on this site.