Subsequently, Miko Marine has won a contract to supply the French Navy with Emergency Repair Kits containing magnetic patches to close openings on 'punctured' ships which may be leaking oil. These patented 'Miko Plasters'will reduce the chances of a total loss or a large oil spill. Delivery for more than 250 French Navy vessels will be made over the next two and a half years. Thorough tests and demonstrations were required by the French Navy in addition to approval by classification societies such as Det Norske Veritas and Germanischer Lloyd.

The Kits are based on Miko's Emrgency Response Bags and Tanker Kits. The French Navy's comments and strict operational requirements resulted in significant operational improvements. It is now possible for a 2.5m by 2.25m magnetic patch to be easily installed by one diver. The operational characteristics are further improved by temporarily attaching buoyancy elements to the patches. The slightly positive buoyant patch is easier and safer to install.

Miko recently completed a job on the 150,000dwt tanker Solviken off the cost of Chile.

Two butterfly valves were replaced without drydocking the tanker. Miko Plaster was safely installed over the sea chest grid under Miko supervision. As the tanker was not allowed to offload its cargo, the sea chest was some 15m below sea level but the job was completed successfully in less than 48 hours.

Sea Plasters are far from being Miko's only activity. In close cooperation with Norwegian tug and salvage company Bukser og Berging AS, innovative Miko has developed the Miko Connector (MiCon), a helicopter deployed towing connection onto abandoned vessels, used in combination with a Sea Anchor to reduce drift speed. It is a valuable tool to improve the chances of a successful salvage.

MJInformation No: 21971