Every ocean-going vessel needs to be operating at the most efficient levels possible in order to ensure a cost-effective operation. Downtime is the enemy of efficiency, especially in the maritime industry, so every effort needs to be made to make sure vessels of all shapes and sizes remain at sea for as long as possible.

One of the biggest problems for owners and operators is also one that is rarely seen until it’s too late. In many ways, it’s an invisible attacker, but the repercussions can be serious. Corrosion occurs gradually, and often in areas which aren’t visible to the human eye, but once it strikes there’s every chance of a period of downtime.

Using the best cooling water treatment chemicals is a must

Operators and owners should never make the mistake of thinking that any type of water can be used for cooling. There are a number of unfortunate outcomes for those who use other alternatives:

• Sea water ­– Sea water, even in very small amounts, can cause serious contamination that will require expensive remedial maintenance. It can also lead to the formation of damaging deposits.
• Rain water – This will also cause major corrosive damage, and should be avoided at all times.
• Tap water – Normal drinking water may seem harmless enough, but it will leave chalk deposits in the cooling system. It can only be used after it has been softened.

With years of experience in this field our advice involves using water that incorporates the finest cooling water treatment chemicals. Knowing your water won’t be causing extensive damage during ocean-going operations will bring you the peace of mind you need. The maritime industry is a highly competitive one and we’ll ensure you’ve done all you can to minimise the risk of downtime.

Adopt a robust, reliable testing regime

Even in the most efficient cooling systems, there is a chance of contamination. Because of this, we’d advise all operators to initiate and adhere to a regular monitoring and testing programme. Always use the best cooling water treatment chemicals at all times, and make sure you do all the necessary tests as and when necessary.

While the results of every test will hopefully be good, it’s important to react when they are not. If high levels of contaminants are shown to be present, a thorough clean will be required in order to prevent further damage.