By Capt. Neeraj Bharti, Founder, Master Mariner · Published · 2 min read
How to choose an underwater hull cleaning contractor: 12 questions to ask
A hull cleaning contractor works where nobody on board can see them, on a coating that cost a great deal to apply. A good one leaves a smooth hull, an intact coating and a report you can trust. A poor one leaves scratched foul-release coating, missed niche areas and a set of blurry photos. The difference is rarely obvious from a quote. These twelve questions make it obvious.
The 12 questions
1. Will you inspect and rate the fouling before cleaning? Without an inspection, the method, duration and price are guesses. A good contractor wants to know what is on the hull first.
2. What method will you use on our coating? Self-polishing, foul-release and hard coatings need different approaches. Ask how brush type and pressure are chosen. "We clean everything the same way" is the wrong answer.
3. Is the work with or without capture, and does the port require it? Capture requirements depend on fouling rating and port rules. The contractor should know both. See capture or no capture.
4. Are you permitted to work in this port? Some ports keep lists of approved or registered cleaning companies. Ask directly, and ask to see the evidence.
5. What exactly is included? Vertical sides, flat bottom, boot top, sea chests, gratings, thruster tunnels, bilge keels, rudder, propeller. Get it in writing.
6. Who are the divers and what are their qualifications? Commercial diving qualifications, the diving standard they work to, and supervisor experience.
7. How do you manage diving safety alongside the ship's systems? Propeller lock-out, thruster isolation, sea chest suction isolation, radar and echo sounder notices. A contractor should have a written isolation checklist the ship can sign.
8. What happens if conditions stop the work? Visibility, current, weather and daylight rules can stop diving. Know the standby and cancellation terms up front.
9. What will the report contain? Before-and-after video and stills by area, fouling and coating assessment, anode condition, and areas not cleaned with reasons. Ask for a sample report.
10. How will you protect the coating? Ask what they do when the coating is already breaking down, and whether they will stop and report rather than carry on.
11. How quickly can you mobilise from where you are based? A local team costs less and responds faster than one that has to fly in.
12. What can you do in the same mobilisation? Propeller polishing, thruster cleaning and inspection in one visit save time and cost.
Red flags
- A price with no scope
- No mention of the coating
- No answer on capture or port permission
- "Photos on request" instead of a defined report
- Pressure to clean before any inspection on a heavily fouled hull
Our answers
Cleanship's underwater hull cleaning is diver-operated brush cart and hand cleaning, with debris capture where the port requires it, a pre-clean assessment, and a report with before-and-after imagery. We work from bases in the UAE and India and will tell you at quoting stage what the port requires and how we meet it. See our underwater hull cleaning service, the complete guide to ship hull cleaning, or request a quotation.
Sources & further reading
Frequently asked questions
What should I ask a hull cleaning contractor?
Ask about fouling inspection, method for your coating, capture and port permission, scope, diver qualifications, safety isolations, weather terms, report content, coating protection, mobilisation and what else they can do in one visit.
How do I know if a hull cleaning contractor is allowed to work in a port?
Ask them directly and ask for evidence. Some ports publish lists of approved or registered companies, and the agent can confirm the current rules.
What should a hull cleaning report contain?
Before-and-after video and photographs by area, fouling and coating assessment, anode condition, areas cleaned and not cleaned with reasons, and the method used.
Why does the coating type matter when choosing a contractor?
Different coatings need different cleaning methods. Too aggressive a method can strip a self-polishing coating or scratch a foul-release coating, costing more than the clean saves.
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