Stern Tube Seal Renewal Procedure In-Situ
Preparation and Safety Measures
- Report damage or incident to the office with a list of available spare seals onboard
- Check and requisition Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EAL) for stern tube oil if needed
- Company will arrange a diving team and surveyor
- Prepare previous wear down records, survey records, and LO analysis reports for the service team
- Discuss underwater permits and checklists with the service technician
Safety Precautions
- Isolate the main engine and engage the turning gear
- Implement lockout and tag out procedures on turning gear, Engine Control Room (ECR), and bridge telegraphs
- Place warning stickers indicating “DIVING OPERATION IN PROGRESS/ MEN AT WORK UNDER WATER-DO NOT START ENGINE OR ROTATE PROPELLER”
- Stop and lock out Marine Growth Prevention System (MGPS) and Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP)
Procedure Execution
Preparation:- Trim the vessel forward until the propeller shaft is above water
- Isolate and drain the system
- Set up staging below the shaft and remove the propeller robe guard
- Establish a habitat around the work area and pump out water from the enclosure
- Loosen bolts holding the cover ring and intermediate ring
- Use special bonding compound to join the ends of the new seal ring
- Reassemble the seal ring, intermediate ring, and cover ring
- Restore the lube oil system
- Conduct a leak test
- Send a service report to the office along with the surveyor’s report
Post-Procedure Monitoring
Add the following instructions to the Chief Engineer’s Night Order Book for watchkeepers:- Monitor oil levels regularly
- Monitor stern tube temperature
- Check drain collection unit regularly
- Call the Chief Engineer if there are any doubts
