UMC undertakes first underwater replacement of bow thruster chain

Our UMC team is used to dealing with unusual requests for help however a recent call from a propeller manufacturer presented a first for the team – an underwater repair to a bow thruster chain.

The call revealed that a vessel – in Amsterdam – had issues with its thruster. It was working well but the ship was unable to tell the pitch and positioning of the propeller.

Attending the vessel, along with our One Ocean™ partner All-Sea Enterprises, investigations revealed a broken chain link. The dive team, including technicians from Stone Marine and Nakashima Propeller Co, did a thorough check to ensure there were no further issues before conducting a test to ensure the repair was complete.

Working in partnership, a well planned and executed repair resulted in the controllable pitch blades correctly cycling port to starboard and the vessel was soon her way.