Miko Plaster is certified by Det Norsk Veritas and has been supplied to over 200 customers for purposes such as alternative to drydocking in afloat survey and repair, emergency marine salvage and wreck removal, and oil spill pollution limitation. By combining strong magnetism in a rubber matting with recent developments in fibre technology, Miko Marine has developed a predictable behaviour of the watertight sealing which has resulted in a high degree of flexibility, reliability and lower costs for purchase, maintenance, storage and installation.

As hull damage underwater is often characterised by protrusions, sharp edges and oily surfaces, Miko Marine has also developed the Miko Plaster - Hat Shape, which follows hull curvature and can be supported by the remaining structure of the largest possible area when differential pressure is achieved. The patch is protected against sharp edges by Kevlar/ Aramide reinforcement, a matting which can be altered in thickness and strength by varying the number of layers. The patch is temporarily secured using permanent magnets and finally forced to the hull by using a special gun-like tool. The diver brings pre-loaded barrels which can be re-loaded underwater.

The innovators at Miko Marine have also developed associated products such as compressed air lifting devices, a 'Steel Climber' magnetic crawler, the 'Integrated Remote Closure of a Sea Chest' (IRCS), and, most spectacularly, a 'Sea Anchor' for tankers which reduces the drift speed of a disabled vessel by 80%, giving the salvage team five times longer to connect a towing wire.

It also heads the bow towards the environmental load, thus reducing the exposure of the vessel to battering seas. Sea Anchor could have been useful in the recent Prestige incident.

MJ Information No: 18332