COATINGS AND PERMANENT MEANS OF ACCESS – THE ANTI-CORROSION CHALLENGES

The introduction of new regulations for Means of Access (MA) has led to an increase in the number and complexity of access openings, an increase in the size of the access openings in the ship’s structure, and a stricter maintenance regime which presents new challenges throughout the life of modern vessels. Several of the major issues at the design stage of Permanent Means of Access (PMA); the construction of ships; the application of protective coatings during new building, together with coating maintenance during the service lifetime; problems related to cleaning holds after cargoes have been removed; action by the Butterworth crude oil washing action and the challenges of maintenance in ballast tanks, are discussed in this paper. © 2011: The Royal Institution of Naval Architects.