During a scheduled dry docking, significant hull damage was discovered in the vessel’s flat bottom area. The damage had developed over time due to faulty ICCP (Impressed Current Cathodic Protection) equipment and incorrect handling of the system onboard, which had gone unnoticed until the vessel entered dry dock for inspection.
As the attending superintendent, I immediately coordinated detailed inspections and reported all unexpected findings to the vessel’s management office. Due to the seriousness of the damage, the matter was promptly referred to the Hull & Machinery underwriters, who appointed their surveyor to attend the vessel and assess the condition of both the hull structure and affected systems.
Following joint inspections with the class surveyor, shipyard, and underwriter’s representative, a revised dry dock specification was prepared to include extensive flat bottom steel renewal and associated repair works. The updated repair scope was presented to the owners and subsequently approved by the underwriters, allowing the project to move forward without delay.
I remained at the shipyard throughout the repair period, supervising the work closely and coordinating between the owners, shipyard teams, class surveyors, contractors, and the Hull & Machinery underwriter’s surveyor. Regular updates were provided to the client, while technical discussions and commercial concerns were handled carefully to ensure smooth progress and maintain alignment between all parties involved.
The project required continuous monitoring, quick decision-making, and effective communication to manage changing repair scopes and tight dry dock schedules. By maintaining a strong onsite presence and addressing issues promptly, the repair work progressed efficiently and safely.
All steel renewal and repair works were completed successfully to class requirements and within the approved repair scope. Final inspections were carried out to the satisfaction of class, the vessel owners, and the Hull & Machinery underwriters. The project concluded with positive feedback from all parties for the professionalism, coordination, and effective supervision provided throughout the dry docking period.