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Author Topic: HMS Ark Royal  (Read 2537 times)

Colin Bishop

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HMS Ark Royal
« on: September 25, 2009, 10:36:38 pm »

Interesting report on TV tonight. HMS Ark Royal has just completed a £12m refit. The work included the application of a special low friction paint below the waterline which apparently cuts fuel consumption by 10% and raises her speed from 28 to 30 knots. Where do you buy it?

Colin
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oldiron

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Re: HMS Ark Royal
« Reply #1 on: September 25, 2009, 11:16:06 pm »

Just out of interest, here's a picture of Ark Royal about a month ago.

John
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Colin Bishop

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Re: HMS Ark Royal
« Reply #2 on: September 26, 2009, 02:49:36 pm »

Apparently the paint used is called Intersleek - more info here: http://www.akzonobel.com/international/news/international_news_releases/int_news/uk_navy_flagship_gets_coated_with_intersleek_900.aspx

Lots of other references on Google.

Colin
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Bunkerbarge

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Re: HMS Ark Royal
« Reply #3 on: September 26, 2009, 05:39:27 pm »

We have a similar coating called Ecospeed.  The trouble is that anti-fouling paints are fast being driven out of existance by legislation so new ideas are needed.  Unfortuately the latest paints are basically a resin coating, which although does all the fantastic things they claim, it only does it whilke it remains clean.  We used to clean the hull every six months with anti-fouling paint but now we have to clean it every six weeks!!  If we don't we can see the fuel consumption slowly rise.

The claims are true but not for very long!!
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"Dirty British coaster with a salt-caked smoke stack, Butting through the Channel in the mad March days"

Colin Bishop

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Re: HMS Ark Royal
« Reply #4 on: September 26, 2009, 05:53:54 pm »

Are you able to clean the hull without dry docking? I've seen reports of "scrubbers" which automatically clean the uderwater hull and quite a few marinas have scrubbing devices you can put your yacht into.

Colin
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Bunkerbarge

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Re: HMS Ark Royal
« Reply #5 on: September 26, 2009, 08:34:48 pm »

Yes Colin, we do an underwater scrubbing with a hydraulically powered sledge that sticks to the hull and scrubs with rotating brushes as it progresses across the surface.
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SteamboatPhil

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Re: HMS Ark Royal
« Reply #6 on: September 26, 2009, 11:10:21 pm »

My Dad and I used a paint called "graphspeed" below the water line on our racing dingy (quite a few years ago now)And as the name implies its was basicaly graphite paint, what a mess we got into painting the hull (imagine the dust from 1000's of pencil shaving's) and it made bu**er all difference and was next to impossible to get off.
I should think it's now long since banned, righty so (and it wasn't cheap) still when you're trying to go faster than the next chap, you try anything.......doh  :((
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derekwarner

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Re: HMS Ark Royal
« Reply #7 on: September 27, 2009, 12:16:01 am »

 :o ....do they still use multi colour shading of 'self polishing copolymers' or was that TBTO [tributyl tin oxide] carcinogenic?............. :police: .....maybe they need to bring back 'keel hauling' .......that would get rid of a few barnacle's    {-) {-) Derek
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Derek Warner

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Illawarra Live Steamers Co-op
Australia
www.ils.org.au

Colin Bishop

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Re: HMS Ark Royal
« Reply #8 on: September 27, 2009, 09:51:49 am »

The use of toxic antifouling paint was of course intended to prevent weed and crustaceans etc. attaching themselves to the hull and creating drag. But of course it also meant that these creatures were not then carried across to the other side of the world where they had the potential to create havoc in the local ecosystems.

Win some, lose some.

By the way Bunkerbarge, that device you have described sounds ideal for cleaning the bath...

Colin
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Turbulent

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Re: HMS Ark Royal
« Reply #9 on: October 18, 2009, 07:50:36 pm »

HMS Exeter had a blue Keel during the early eighties, this was to improve efficiency & reduces drag.

This is the USS Port Royal in Pearl Harbour. Also showing a Blue Keel
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