PROJECT UPDATES

Underwater Hull Welding For Vessel In Vietnam

Cập nhật: 12-08-2026 08:08:58 | PROJECT UPDATES | Lượt xem: 81

Bacviet Shiprepair completed an underwater doubler plate welding repair on MV AGATA’s holed bottom shell at Hon Mieu Anchorage without dry-docking.

1. Introduction

Bacviet Shiprepair team recently completed an underwater diving repair for bulk carrier MV AGATA at Hon Mieu anchorage, Vietnam.

During routine checks, a hole/rupture was found on the vessel's bottom shell plating, allowing seawater to ingress from outside the hull into the ballast tank. As dry-docking was not practical given the vessel's schedule, Bacviet Shiprepair mobilized a certified diving team to carry out a permanent underwater welding repair alongside at anchorage, sealing the damaged area from outside the hull.

With over two decades of experience serving global shipowners, Bacviet Shiprepair continues to provide reliable underwater repair and diving services across all Vietnam ports and anchorages — ensuring safety, compliance, and operational readiness 24/7.

Damaged area on the bottom shell plating of MV AGATA, viewed inside Ballast Tank before repair.

2. Vessel Information

Vessel name: MV AGATA
Flag: Panama
Vessel particulars: LOA 224.97 m, Beam 32.25 m, Depth 12.7 m
Operation area / Repair place: Hon Mieu Anchorage, Vietnam
Damage location: Bottom shell plating, outside hull
Condition: Hole/rupture in bottom plate; seawater ingress into ballast tank

The damage required an underwater inspection to confirm its exact condition and extent, followed by a permanent welded patch repair carried out entirely below the waterline by a certified diving team.

3. Scope of Work

Upon receiving the Owner/Master's request, Bacviet Shiprepair mobilized a diving team with full underwater welding equipment to Hon Mieu anchorage to carry out the following scope of work.

3.1 Mobilization & Preparation

Diving team with all necessary equipment mobilized by boat alongside MV AGATA at Hon Mieu anchorage.
Coordinated with Port Authority for job permit and boat-alongside permit.
Arranged boarding pass, immigration formalities, and boat service/boat supply for the duration of the job.
Shore transportation and travelling arranged from Haiphong city to the worksite.

3.2 Underwater Inspection & Cleaning

The diving team carried out a close underwater inspection of the hull to confirm the exact condition, location, and extent of the damage, followed by cleaning of the damaged area to prepare the surface for welding.

Underwater inspection and cleaning of the damaged hull area prior to welding.

3.3 Underwater Welding Repair

Welded a double (doubler) plate over the damaged area, dimension 400 mm x 400 mm x 10 mmT x 1 pc.
Welding carried out underwater by certified divers/welders using approved underwater welding procedures.
Weld seam fully sealed around the doubler plate to restore watertight integrity of the hull.

Completed underwater weld seam of the doubler plate on MV AGATA's bottom shell.

3.4 Coating & Final Checks

Applied epoxy coating on the welding seam after completion of welding, for corrosion protection.
Checked condition inside the ballast tank and outside the hull after job completion to confirm no further water ingress.
Repair documents, including video clips and photo report, submitted to Owner/Master upon completion.

4. Logistics & Coordination

All repair works were carried out entirely underwater alongside at Hon Mieu anchorage, with no dry-docking required, minimizing vessel downtime. Bacviet Shiprepair arranged:

Diving team and underwater welding equipment mobilization
Port Authority work permit and boat-alongside permit
Boarding pass and immigration formalities
Boat service / boat supply for the duration of the job

The repair was completed safely and efficiently, restoring the vessel's watertight integrity without interrupting its operating schedule.

5. Outcome & Technical Achievement

Upon completion, the hole/rupture in the bottom shell plate was permanently sealed by the underwater welded doubler plate. Post-repair checks confirmed no further seawater ingress into the ballast tank, and the hull's watertight integrity was fully restored.

This project reaffirms Bacviet Shiprepair's capability in specialized underwater repair services, including:

Underwater hull inspection and damage assessment
Underwater welding repair (doubler plate, patch repair)
Emergency diving repair services without dry-docking

6. About Bacviet Shiprepair

Bacviet Commercial and Shiptechnical Company (Bacviet Shiprepair) is one of Vietnam's leading marine service providers, offering 24/7 ship repair, maintenance, and diving/underwater repair services at all major ports and anchorages: Hai Phong, Hon Gai, Cam Pha, Hon Mieu, Vung Tau, Dung Quat, Son Duong, Vinh Tan, and Cai Mep.

We maintain direct coordination with Class surveyors (ABS, DNV, LR, BV, NK, PMDS, VR) and are approved vendors for major shipping companies worldwide. Our diving teams and workshops are equipped with advanced underwater welding equipment and mobile units to carry out emergency repair anywhere in Vietnam.

7. Project Summary

Item	Description
Vessel	MV AGATA (LOA 224.97 m / B 32.25 m / D 12.7 m)
Worksite	Hon Mieu Anchorage, Vietnam
Damage Location	Bottom shell plating, outside hull
Condition	Hole/rupture; seawater ingress into ballast tank
Scope	Underwater inspection, cleaning, and welding of doubler plate (400 x 400 x 10 mmT)
Finishing	Epoxy coating on welding seam
Verification	Inside/outside condition checked after completion
Result	Completed; watertight integrity restored, no dry-docking required