Magnetic patch saves the catch

Under the new 2013 agreement, Oslo based Miko Marine undertakes to provide 24hour technical support for the use of the company’s unique range of patches and for their provision whenever necessary.

Salvage and Tanker Kits of Miko magnetic patches are now carried aboard all principal NCA vessels following the organisation’s decision to extend their carriage to all five of its Emergency Towing Vessels (ETVs). The agreement ensures that patches are available for making emergency repairs to vessels with damage or hull integrity problems that may have been caused by collision or grounding or by defective valves and seals. The contract also includes an agreement for Miko Marine to provide emergency supervisory technical support in their use when and wherever required.

The Administration’s decision to renew its agreement with Miko was reinforced by several incidents where Miko expertise and products prevented the loss of vessels in Norwegian waters.

In one, a major incident was narrowly avoided after a collision between two trawlers in the Arctic north of Norway. The Hundvåkøy was returning to port when it struck the Hordafor 4 and sustained major hull damage. The engine room flooded but the master successfully grounded his boat to prevent the total loss of the vessel and its cargo.

The Norwegian Coastal Administration immediately sealed the large hole in the hull with a Miko magnetic patch. Both of the Coastal Administration vessels attending the incident were carrying a Miko Salvage Kit which also included a 6m by 2m ‘hat shaped’ fabric patch which was also used to cover irregular protruding damage that would otherwise inhibit the adhesion of a magnetic patch. As a result, virtually all of the boat’s catch was saved and the engine room was pumped dry. This enabled the Hundvåkøy to be refloated and towed some 15 nm to the NATO quay at Sørreisa for more permanent repairs

The patch chosen for the repair was manufactured from a high strength fabric that combines polyester reinforced PVC with aramid. It is described as ‘hat-shaped’ due to its design as a shallow bag with a brim that is held securely against the hull beneath flexible aluminium strips that are fixed by divers using an HD 200 underwater stapling tool. The bag-like capacity of the patch enables it to cover any irregular tearing of the hull while the brim ensures a strong and watertight seal.