MV Kadmos
Challenge
The fully loaded bulk carrier MV Kadmos (DWT 38,913t) sustained damage after colliding with a wreck which had sunk just days before in the Malacca Strait. Several holes were reported in the vertical sides to port and starboard just above the bilge causing flooding confined to No. 1 port and No.1 starboard double bottom ballast tanks. On instruction from the GL Class Surveyor, the decision was made to seal the openings allowing internal inspection before the ship sailed to its intended destination in China.
Solution
An underwater inspection showed the largest holes measured 3.2m x 1.3m and 2.5m x 0.6m, both to port. These were later sealed using cofferdams designed in the UK and fabricated locally, shaped to fit the hull, sized 5.2m x 2.2m and 4.8m x 2.0m respectively.
The two smaller holes to starboard (0.4m x 0.3m and 0.2m x 0.2m) were patched with underwater welded doubler plates and reinforcing brackets allowing the tanks to be pumped dry. Staff were then able to enter the double bottom and fix additional internal reinforcement bars between the cofferdam and the hull structure. The ship then departed for unloading and subsequent dry docking for permanent repair.
The operation was overseen by a SeaTec Project Manager with technical support from the SeaTec design team based in the UK.