After a powerful hurricane swept through the Gulf of Mexico, a client’s vessel sustained significant underwater damage. Subsea Global Solutions was called upon for immediate inspection, repair planning, and full execution of the repair effort. Leveraging our global team and rapid-response capabilities, we delivered a complex, multi-phase repair completed safely, efficiently, and to class standards.

Rapid Response and Global Collaboration

The project was led by our Gulf Coast office, supported by project management and dive personnel from Miami, as well as additional dive support from Long Beach, Port Angeles, Halifax, Curaçao, Vancouver, and Tampa. The job began with an initial five-person dive team to perform urgent inspections and damage assessment. Once repairs were approved and scheduled, we deployed day and night crews, ensuring continuous progress around the clock.

Scope of Work

After a comprehensive underwater inspection, Subsea Global Solutions divers identified marine debris entangled in two of the vessel’s thrusters. Our team safely removed the debris and proceeded with preparations to support planned hull repairs.

To enable shell plate replacement by a third-party contractor, Subsea Global Solutions designed and installed a large, custom-built open-top cofferdam on the starboard side of the moon pool at frame FR 98. This allowed repairs to be carried out in dry conditions while the vessel remained afloat. Throughout the process, our divers continuously monitored the cofferdam for safety and integrity.

Additional services performed by Subsea Global Solutions included:

• Full cleaning of sea chest gratings and thrusters

• Mapping of a secondary shell plate repair location

• Installation and subsequent relocation of the cofferdam as repair stages advanced

• Wet welding and removal of temporary installation aids

• Final grinding and underwater epoxy application to all bare metal areas

• Ongoing leak and structural integrity checks

Following the successful completion of repair work, the vessel underwent and passed its offshore class inspection, returning to service without delay.

‍

Results and Recognition

The entire project was completed while the vessel remained docked at the ST Engineering facility in Pascagoula, Mississippi. Despite evolving requirements and logistical challenges, Subsea Global Solutions delivered a turnkey solution that met all repair and classification criteria.

The client praised the technical execution and flexibility of our dive teams and provided strong positive feedback on the leadership of Project Manager Kelley Williamson, who was instrumental in the success of this complex repair.

Subsea Global Solutions continues to deliver high-quality marine construction and emergency repair support worldwide, ensuring vessels get back to work with minimal downtime and maximum confidence.

Interested in learning more about our hull and thruster repair capabilities? Get in touch.

‍

Shell Plate Repair by Subsea Global Solutions

Subsea Global Solutions delivers permanent, class-approved shell plate repairs without the need for dry docking—minimizing disruption to your operations. Whether damage is due to collision, corrosion, or structural failure, our experienced dive teams and certified welders use engineered cofferdams and wet welding procedures to safely isolate and access damaged areas below the waterline.

From steel insert plate replacement to structural patching, our turnkey service includes inspection, engineering review, cofferdam design and installation, material preparation, certified underwater welding, and final testing in coordination with classification societies.

With global reach and rapid deployment capabilities, we support emergency repairs as well as planned projects, ensuring that structural integrity is restored quickly, safely, and to class standards. When downtime isn't an option, Subsea Global Solutions brings the repair to your vessel—wherever and whenever it's needed.

Learn more about our underwater welding services.