Underwater Hull Cleaning

Whether during on or off season, hull cleaning is necessary to keep a boat in good condition and ready to use. Boats that are left in water quickly accumulate marine growth on the bottom and underwater parts. Marine growth that builds up on the boat’s hull creates drag during acceleration, inhibiting the boat’s performance and increasing fuel consumption. Barnacles and infestations on underwater equipment may also lead to instrumentation malfunctions and faulty readings. Boats that are painted with anti-fouling paint still require regular hull cleaning, as various factors make it only partially effective against marine growth.

Most boat owners begin to notice marine growth within a few days or weeks of leaving their boats in water. Initially, a layer of algae-like slime will gather and thicken on the boat’s hull, while barnacles will take up residence on the propellers. Warm temperatures, like those of the waters of South Florida, encourage faster marine growth and therefore require more tightly scheduled cleanings to keep the hull smooth and the propellers working. During the summer months, barnacles and slime collect rapidly enough that hull cleaning is recommended as often as every three weeks. In most cases, routine monthly cleaning is enough to prevent fouled hull and infestation problems.

In order to provide the best care for your boat, Barnacles Bee Gone always employs the least aggressive method possible. We clean using a number of tools that are specially chosen to match your boat’s needs. Our experienced divers use sponges, brushes, and scrubbers carefully to prevent the removal of anti-fouling paint from the boat’s hull, while still effectively eliminating marine growth.  As a result, you can enjoy boating with a smooth hull and parts, while getting the most out of your anti-fouling coat.

Zinc Replacement

Placing metals in water may result in two occurrences which boat operators should be aware of. These are electrolysis and galvanic corrosion. Of the two, electrolysis is the more common concern.

Electrolysis happens when different metals exchange electrons while in an electrolytic solution, such as saltwater. The exchange occurs when electrical currents stray or deviate from their normal paths. Electrolysis is harmful to a boat’s underwater equipment, as it may cause the metal parts to weaken and corrode.

The other phenomenon which boat owners have to deal with is galvanic corrosion, which is the formation of a natural battery occurring when two dissimilar metals make contact in an electrolytic solution.  Rather than the exchange of ions that happens in electrolysis, in galvanic corrosion one metal will transfer ions to the other, weakening the metals. The result will show up as uneven surfaces, cavities and pitting in parts.

Metal parts such as propellers, shafts, nuts and rudders are prone to corrosion by these two processes whenever they are placed in saltwater. To protect them, zincs, or ‘sacrificial anodes’ are installed on the boat. As a less noble metal than the metals used on boat components, the zincs will deplete more quickly, giving up, or ‘sacrificing’ their ions while preserving those of the boat’s metal parts.

Over time, the boat’s zincs will deplete themselves and have to be replaced with new zincs to protect the vessel’s parts from deterioration by electrolysis and galvanic corrosion. Catching electrolysis early and replacing worn out zincs can prevent damage to crucial running gear.  Barnacles Bee Gone offers zinc inspections and replacement to ensure the long life of your boat’s underwater equipment.

In-Water Propeller Removal, Repair and Installation

Propeller removal or repairs may be needed if the propeller has been damaged by running around or colliding with an underwater object. Propeller blades can also be adjusted or changed in size, pitch and number to give your boat the level of performance and efficiency you’re looking for. Underwater propeller work saves time and costs by avoiding the need to have the boat hauled to make repairs. Divers can inspect your vessel’s propellers and make changes or repairs as you desire without the inconvenience of dry-docking. Barnacles Bee Gone specializes in in-water propeller maintenance and adjustment to suit your needs.

Salvage, Search and Recovery

In the event of a sinking, whether a boat, car or personal item, Barnacles Bee Gone is equipped to perform search and recovery services to help you regain important articles. Your vessel can be located and salvaged with the help of our expert divers and equipment. Barnacles Bee Gone makes use of lift bags, rigging gear and water pumps to raise sunken objects and keep them afloat on the surface where they can be collected.

Underwater Inspections, Video and Photo Recording

Boats owners often make use of boat maintenance records and inspections for insurance purposes. Underwater inspections that are done with photo and video documentation can be valuable should you encounter an accident or choose to sell your boat. Barnacles Bee Gone provides regular inspections and reports on your boat’s condition, underwater video and photos of your vessel’s hull and components to give you verifiable records you can preserve for future purposes or simply for peace of mind.