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Showing posts from March, 2021

Shipping in Thailand: a Brief History and its Growing Future

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With a coastline of more than 2,800 km , Thailand has water on both sides. On the Eastern shoreline, it has the Gulf of Thailand of the Pacific Ocean, while the Western shoreline meets the Andaman Sea, part of the Indian Ocean. In terms of geography, Thailand has endless opportunities to use the sea. Hence, shipping has always been an integral part of the country's transport and international trade. Let's take a look back at history and discover the future of shipping in Thailand.   A Brief History…   Did you know that shipping is the primary transportation source, with 90 % of the world's total trade ? The history of Thai maritime trade  is divided into four eras. The first was the Sukhothai period, during which Thailand was involved in trade with various foreign countries. China and India were top traders as they had easy access via the Gulf of Thailand and the Indian ocean.   Next was the Ayutthaya and Thonburi periods when other international countries recognized Thaila

The Importance of Commercial Diving in the Shipping Industry

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Thailand is surrounded by water; the southwestern shoreline meets the Indian Ocean, and the eastern shoreline borders the Gulf of Thailand of the Pacific Ocean. This itself opens up an avenue for water-related work and maintenance.   However, these tasks can't be carried out by regular people; we need a highly knowledgeable and trained specialist to perform these operations. This is where commercial divers come to play.   What Do Commercial Divers Do? Commercial diving is a broad term that covers the arena of underwater workers spanning over a wide range of industries: Energy  – Installation and maintenance of offshore oil, gas, and wind platforms and pipelines Environmental  – Aquatic biological research and exploration Civil  - Construction, installation, maintenance, and demolition of bridges, piers, ports and dams Military  - Armed forces, search and rescue Shipping  – Ensuring the smooth sailing of all variety of vessels, such as cargo and containerized trade ships, ferries an

In-Water Survey: Everything You Need To Know

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No matter how carefully you use your vessel, external factors such as biofouling  and harsh weather conditions can often lead to un-noticed, long-term damage. This is when in-water surveys come into play. They're an excellent way to collect valuable and accurate information regarding your ship's condition and seaworthiness.  Here's everything you need to know about the process:   What is an In-Water Survey In-water surveys  are when professional divers inspect the vessel's structure underwater. These can be scheduled or unscheduled inspections, i.e., routine checks or acute inspections performed after an incident. For official inspections, a marine surveyor from a recognized classification society is appointed and required to be present on-site to witness the inspection. Upon completing the underwater survey, the owner and classification society receives a CCTV video, report, and other necessary documents.   What Is Inspected During an In-Water Survey? Divers, amongst o

Biofouling: A Comprehensive Overview

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Everything around us is connected in ways we possibly can't imagine; a small step in the wrong direction can have a massive impact. Such is the case of biofouling, in which specific organisms damage human-made structures. Involving macro and microorganism, biofouling is occurring in several places around the world, and Thailand is not an exemption.  Here's everything you need to know about the effect of biofouling on marine structures:    What Is Biofouling? Biofouling  is a process in which microorganisms, plants, and algae  accumulate on the hull, propellers, water inlets, pipework of ships, and other human-made structures.   How Does Biofouling Affect Ships? The overproduction of bacteria on ship hulls tends to reduce the speed and energy efficiency of the ship. Research has shown that a ship with biofouling utilizes 40% more fuel  than a non-fouled ship. The 40% of fuel means 40% higher costs. Studies estimate that billions of dollars can be saved if anti-fouling plans are

Why Underwater Ship Repairs and Maintenance Matter

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Regular cleaning and upkeep of your  ship's  hull can affect its longevity and efficiency. By keeping your  ship's  hull clean and maintained, you can avoid nasty surprises such as barnacles, marine crustaceans that, if left untreated, can attach themselves permanently to the underside of your  ship . Mechanical equipment or machinery requires maintenance and repairs in order to ensure satisfactory performance regardless of its size. Similarly, your ship or boat demand repair and maintenance at regular intervals. These two functions require the workforce to address the problems adequately. Ships of similar operating histories and age  but different basing histories tend to be dramatically different in the total amount of time and money required for maintenance.  Additionally, it ensures the safety of marine life. Let's dive deeper into aspects of underwater ship repairs and maintenance. Hull cleaning Underwater hull inspection and hull cleaning are considered crucial aspect

Understanding Underwater Camera Technology: A Primer

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Underwater cameras are used to search for suspicious objects in the ocean and around ports that may pose a security threat.  They're used in search and rescue operations.  They are used for inspecting docks, pipes, cables, and moorings.  They're used to inspect ship hulls for possible damage.  They're used for important marine surveying and research, enabling a better understanding of what's happening beneath the surface and informing vital efforts.  They're used in aquaculture, for sampling sea beds, for recovering expensive lost equipment, for detecting seabed pollution – the list goes on and on. Innovative camera technology has enabled us to capture night visions, aerial views, live focus, hyper-lapse, and slow-motion videos. Ultra-fast moving inspection processes are gaining a lot of attention in terms of capturing the ocean. While there are underwater camera technologies, namely waterproof cameras , there are some underlying problems in terms of engineering: Th

Equipment Checklist for Commercial Diving Gear

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Commercial divers are asked to work in a wide range of environments throughout their careers. From conducting maintenance procedures on oil rigs to conducting underwater surveys of ship hulls, they come across a variety of opportunities to put their experience, knowledge, and skills to good use. Of course, every job requires specialized tools, gear, and equipment. However, there is specific equipment and gear that commercial divers are required to have on them every time they go underwater. In this piece, we’re going to go over an equipment checklist for commercial diving gear. So, let’s get right into it, shall we? Diving Suits That Commercial Divers Wear Commercial divers typically wear the following types of suits: ·  Wetsuit: Wetsuits offer great protection against steel, coral, and other elements that could otherwise penetrate the skin and cause injury. They’re skintight, meaning they only allow a very thin layer of water to enter between your body and the suit. As your body heat