Ocean City Research (OCRC) helped the US Naval Sea Systems Command develop and implement a new and effective protocol for preserving the interior ballast tanks of Navy vessels. Fleet maintenance officers have identified internal ballast tank maintenance as one of the Fleet's significant maintenance burdens. The Navy turned to OCRC to develop and help them implement new strategies that would double, or even triple, the service life of internal tank coating systems. After determining the common patterns and causes of corrosion inside Navy ship ballast tanks, we performed an exhaustive search of worldwide shipbuilding and ship maintenance practices in order to form the basis for the solution of the problem. The new Navy protocol consisted of several key elements, such as:
- Installation of environmental controls inside the tank during all coating application activities
- Total elimination of ionic contaminants on the steel substrate
- 100% solids epoxy coating with edge retention characteristics
- Utilizing effective stripe coating techniques
Enforcement of strict Quality Assurance procedures
OCRC prepared working specifications for shipyards engaged in such work. After test ships were identified, our engineers held on-site training seminars for the shipyard personnel. During actual work, we provided full-time on-site technical assistance to shipyard painting shops, in an effort to aid in proper application and training. Support was provided during overhauls of the following vessels: USS OGDEN (LPD-5), USS COMSTOCK (LSD-45), USS NASHVILLE (LPD-13), and USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72). |
