Specialist Marine Pipe Relining

Several of the original scupper lines were approximately 50mm in diameter and required mechanical milling before relining. Twelve individual scupper lines were located along the sides of the vessel, while additional rear scupper lines incorporated junctions and several metres of pipework.

Access was another major constraint.

Some works were undertaken while the vessel remained in the water, requiring installation methodology and timing to be adapted around the vessel’s position and operational requirements. The exterior surfaces of the vessel also had to be protected during installation. During one stage of the works, technicians installed protective sheeting around discharge points to prevent resin from contacting newly painted vessel surfaces.

Later repairs presented a different technical challenge. Large exhaust-water pipework initially identified at approximately 400mm was found during installation to vary in diameter through the pipe, meaning a conventional fixed-size liner would not provide the best result. Tunnel Vision reassessed the pipe on site and selected a stretch-liner solution capable of accommodating the changing dimensions.

Tunnel Vision was later engaged to rehabilitate large exhaust-water lines protruding through the side of the vessel.

The initial scope involved two approximately 400mm relines, with the completed installation to be verified by CCTV inspection. The liner materials had to be specifically manufactured and freighted for the application.

During detailed site inspection, the team identified that the pipe dimensions changed through the line.

Rather than proceeding with a liner that was not ideally suited to the varying internal diameter, Tunnel Vision reassessed the repair and selected a specialist stretch-liner system.

Marine growth and deposits were removed from the larger pipework during preparation before the custom liner was installed.

The first large liner was subsequently installed within approximately 375mm pipework and left to cure overnight before completion of the remaining works.

Working within the marine environment required more than simply repairing the pipe.

Tunnel Vision’s technicians coordinated works around other vessel trades and protected newly finished surfaces throughout the relining process.

Pipe outlets were protected during resin installation, work areas were cleaned after each stage, liners were trimmed and finished to suit existing flanges and external surfaces, and completed installations were inspected internally using CCTV.

This allowed pipe rehabilitation to be completed internally while minimising interference with surrounding vessel structures and finishes.

Tunnel Vision was able to rehabilitate pipework ranging from approximately 50mm vessel drainage and water lines through to large-diameter exhaust-water pipework without relying on extensive removal and replacement of surrounding vessel infrastructure.

The work also demonstrated the importance of adapting the relining system to actual site conditions. When pipe dimensions, geometry or curing conditions differed from expectations, the installation methodology and liner selection were modified to suit the asset.

The ongoing engagement across multiple vessel systems and project stages demonstrates the value of a repair approach that combines specialist CCTV inspection, mechanical preparation and customised trenchless relining within complex marine environments.