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Case study
Underwater hull cleaning and propeller polishing at Cai Mep anchorage
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SVC Marine carried out underwater hull cleaning at Cai Mep anchorage, Vietnam. The project videos record machine cleaning of the underwater hull, propeller polishing and high sea-chest cleaning.
For a new anchorage enquiry, our divers inspect the appointed areas, carry out the agreed cleaning or polishing scope and record the condition before and after the work. Send the anchorage, vessel window, hull and coating particulars, selected areas and report requirements.
01
The Cai Mep anchorage cleaning job
The historical Cai Mep attendance included machine hull cleaning, propeller polishing and high sea-chest cleaning. The original project videos distinguish those three tasks. The hull surface, propeller and sea chest require different access, tools and records.
Itemise the hull, propeller and sea-chest areas in a new worklist. Add low sea chests, the rudder, bilge keels, appendages or inspection items to the appointed scope, with the relevant access and record requirements for each area.
02
Define the cleaning scope
SVC undertakes appointed underwater work for container vessels, bulk carriers, tankers, general cargo and project-cargo vessels, offshore vessels, tugboats and workboats. The affected surfaces, coating condition, access and vessel operation determine the agreed scope.
- Underwater hull cleaning by machine within the agreed areas and coating requirements.
- Propeller polishing, with visible condition recorded before and after the appointed work.
- High and low sea-chest cleaning where requested.
- Cleaning of the rudder and propeller area.
- Bilge-keel and appendage cleaning.
- Draft-mark cleaning.
- Underwater inspection before and after cleaning.
- Photographs or video for the owner, manager or superintendent.
- Diver comments, cleaned-area records and the agreed diving report.
03
Hull fouling and the anchorage window
An anchorage stay can provide a potential work window when fouling, propeller condition or sea-chest obstruction needs attention. The attendance still depends on port permission, weather, tide, current, visibility, traffic and the vessel’s operating condition.
Send the visible or previously reported fouling condition and coating particulars. Identify which hull areas can be reached and whether the owner needs a survey of the condition before choosing the cleaning method. Record the selected areas and any part that cannot be completed or inspected.
Owners may request a check after a long idle period, reported speed loss, higher fuel consumption, cooling-water flow problems or before a new voyage. Hull and propeller condition are only part of the vessel’s performance; the worklist and report should state what was actually observed and cleaned.
04
Propeller polishing
Propeller polishing addresses a fouled or rough surface on the agreed propeller areas. Our divers inspect the visible blade condition and working access before the appointed polishing, with the vessel’s propeller and other relevant machinery secured for the dive.
Include the current, visibility and safe working conditions around the stern in the attendance plan. Record visible defects or abnormal marks separately from fouling. Surface condition can influence propulsion and vibration behaviour, but a cleaning record is not a quantified fuel or vibration result.
SVC can provide the before-and-after photographs or video and the diver’s observations for the completed polishing areas. Specify any additional blade inspection or owner’s reporting requirement in the enquiry.
05
High and low sea chests
External sea-chest blockage can restrict cooling-water flow to the main or auxiliary engines, generators, pumps and other seawater-cooled equipment. Growth, mud, shells, plastic waste or other external obstruction may require cleaning of the appointed grilles or sea-chest areas.
Identify high and low sea chests separately and state the reported cooling-flow problem. Our divers inspect the accessible condition, clean the commissioned external areas and record them before and after the work where required.
The vessel confirms the relevant sea suctions, discharges, thrusters and machinery isolation before divers enter the water. External cleaning and an observation of visible obstruction do not replace inspection or repair of any internal cooling-system fault.
06
Inspect and record before and after work
The appointed inspection identifies the condition and the areas to be cleaned; the final record documents the work and any visible defects that remain. Specify the required photographs, video and report before attendance.
- Hull fouling level and accessible areas before cleaning.
- Visible propeller condition before polishing.
- High and low sea-chest condition before and after the selected work.
- Visible damage, deformation or abnormal marks.
- Visible anode condition where requested and accessible.
- The cleaned areas after completion and any unfinished or inaccessible items.
- Photographs and video and diver comments for owner, manager or superintendent review.
07
When to request a hull-condition check
A long idle period, speed loss, increased fuel consumption or a cooling-water concern may justify inspection before selecting the repair or cleaning scope. An anchorage stay, a planned voyage, charter operation or pre-drydock survey can provide the commercial reason for the enquiry.
Marine growth can build up during warm-water trading or extended stays. Our divers’ observations help the owner choose hull cleaning, propeller polishing, sea-chest cleaning, further investigation or drydock planning against the actual visible condition.
08
Related underwater repair work
SVC undertakes selected underwater work where the technical scope and safe conditions allow it. A separate appointed enquiry can include:
- Plugging for selected hull-leakage cases where the method is technically suitable.
- Visual underwater damage inspection after contact or grounding.
- Temporary underwater repair where technically feasible.
- Underwater photographs or video for class, insurer or owner review.
- Pre-drydock underwater condition checks.
- Post-repair underwater checks of the appointed areas.
09
Diving conditions and vessel isolation
Before attendance, the diving plan addresses the vessel location, working window, weather and sea state, tide/current, visibility, traffic, port restrictions and boarding access. The vessel’s relevant permissions and safe dive conditions must allow the work.
Confirm safe boarding, crew attendance, clear communications and the diver safety watch. Secure the propeller and thrusters where applicable and confirm that movement, machinery operation, suction or discharge cannot endanger the divers during the job.
Agree the appointed scope and any Surveyor’s witnessing or reporting requirement before starting. Divers work to the safe plan and record any change or unfinished area rather than continuing into unsuitable current, access or visibility conditions.
10
Cai Mep and related Vietnam port calls
SVC provides appointed underwater inspection, hull cleaning, propeller polishing, sea-chest cleaning and selected underwater repair attendance at ports, shipyards and anchorages in Vietnam. Enquiry locations include Cai Mep, Vung Tau, Phu My, the Ho Chi Minh City area, Dung Quat, Da Nang, Chan May, Vung Ang, Son Duong, Hon La, Cua Lo, Nghi Son, Hai Phong, Hon Gai and Cam Pha. Confirm local permission and safe working conditions for the actual berth or anchorage.
Cai Mep marine services remains the wider port landing. See Vung Tau underwater inspection and Phu My ship supply for nearby port-call enquiries. The underwater inspection and hull-cleaning service covers the broader worklist. This existing page records the Cai Mep anchorage cleaning job.
11
Send the underwater worklist
Send the Cai Mep underwater enquiry through SVC’s private repair contact with:
- Vessel reference and type, hull particulars and the exact berth or anchorage.
- ETA, expected vessel window and the available diving/cleaning period.
- Required areas: hull, propeller, high/low sea chests, rudder, appendages or inspection.
- Reported fouling condition, coating particulars and available previous inspection photographs or video.
- Before-and-after photo/video, diver comments and diving-report requirements.
- Class, flag, insurer, owner or charterer requirements relevant to the appointed scope.
- Boarding, vessel operation, machinery isolation and local permission arrangements.
12
Cai Mep cleaning questions
Does SVC clean hulls at Cai Mep anchorage?
SVC divers carry out the appointed hull cleaning, propeller polishing, sea-chest work and underwater inspection, with agreed records and report. Attendance depends on port permission and safe diving and vessel conditions.
Can the vessel remain afloat during cleaning?
Underwater work can take place while the vessel is afloat when the anchorage or berth, current, visibility, safe access, machinery isolation and vessel operation allow the dive. Confirm the available window and the selected areas before attendance.
What can an underwater cleaning worklist include?
It can include machine hull cleaning, propeller polishing, high/low sea chests, rudder and appendage areas, inspection, photographs/video and a report. Itemise the selected surfaces so each task and completion record is clear.
Can SVC provide photos and video reports?
Our divers can record the appointed areas before and after cleaning, with diver comments and the agreed diving report. Specify the report audience and any requested inspection areas; visible defects and inaccessible areas remain identified in the record.
What should an owner send for a quotation?
Send the vessel reference privately, exact location, ETA and available work window, hull/coating condition, cleaning or inspection scope and reporting requirements. Include the relevant class, flag, insurer or charterer requirements, permissions and isolation arrangements.
Talk to SVC Marine
Please provide your company details and the vessel requirement or work scope. Acceptance is subject to verification and confirmation by SVC Marine.