Why Clean Your Boat’s Hull

By Tui Timoko

Why clean your hull? Maintaining a good cleaning and inspection routine for your vessel is the key to top performance, greater fuel efficiency, and unsightly machinery/anti-corrosion system failure and reduces the chances of cross contamination of marine pests. Marine pests love a grubby hull – they can take hold in the fouling fuzz and before you know it, they can quickly establish themselves, potentially seriously affecting marine habitats, food chains, fish stocks, not to mention your vessels performance by blocking intakes/discharges, jamming speed logs, covering sounders, shafts and propellers.

When should I clean it? We highly recommend in water cleaning of your vessel once a month, regular cleaning with a soft sponge or cloth rather than a harsh removal aid such as a Scotch Brite or scraper can prolong the life of your antifouling saving you time, effort. At the very least you should check that your boat is free of bio-fouling growth such as seaweeds, barnacles, mussels and oysters before leaving your home region.

What’s in it for you? • Regular, professional servicing by qualified, experienced commercial divers • Extend the life of your antifouling and running gear • Reduce vessel running costs (lower fuel consumption) • Increased performance • Enhanced appearance • Satisfaction of knowing exactly what lies beneath

How is the vessel cleaned? Divers use either a soft sponge, industrial brush, scotch Brite, scraper or mixture of all, dependent on the required effort to remove the fouling.

They start on the water line making sure not to go above the antifouling, onto the gel coat to avoid scratch marks. Divers can work above the water line if required. Once the water line is complete they drop down, working their way forward and aft along the vessel until they reach the keel making sure to cover and clean every fitting and section of the vessel. The running gear is then cleaned and inspected, all work is recorded and a full photographic report can be supplied.

Kia ora My name is Tui Timoko.

I am a ex navy gunner/diver, I am currently the director of SEA AND LAND TRADE (salt for short) SERVICES ltd.

We are a net working based company with its roots in commercial diving we offer all sorts of tradesmen and professional to cater your every day needs-Whether its personal for the offshore and the oil industry or a handy man for the around home tasks, we aim to cover all your requirements and needs and be your one stop trade shop.

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