New design for salvage patches
Holed Norwegian trawler refloated with Miko patch visible
A fourth generation of Miko Salvage Patches has been introduced following upgrades to the successful design of the ‘Hat-Shaped Patch’.
Manufactured in Norway by Miko Marine AS, the company’s range of salvage patches has been responsible for preventing the loss of ships and boats on numerous occasions.
The new design relates to patches that are like a shallow bag with a brim. The patch can be used to cover hull damage to a vessel so that any protruding torn metal is accommodated within the capacity of the patch’s bag. The patch then creates a watertight seal by having its ‘brim’ held tight by aluminium strips riveted by divers to ensure that a rubber seal on the brim is compressed tightly against the hull. The new design also features the use of hook and loop fastening to hold the strips in place while they are being riveted.
The new design refines the details of the previous version by rounding the corners to create a more accommodating shape with fewer opportunities for abrasion and puncture. Although this has never been a problem due to the durability of the fabric, the new design reflects the years of experience gained by the Miko team and the company’s continuous programme of development.
Each patch is manufactured from a fabric reinforced by Kevlar and Aramid. Typically used in bullet-proof vests, these fibres enable the patch to resist penetration by sharp-edged pieces of damaged hull and allow it to be used with confidence in demanding sea conditions. An example of this strength occurred when a patch was used to cover a gash in a ship’s hull 3-metres below the waterline. At that depth water pressure is the equivalent to 15 tonnes yet a knife-sharp protrusion of the torn hull failed to penetrate the fabric.
Packs of Miko Salvage Patches are now standard emergency equipment with Norwegian Coastal Administration ships and establishments as they have been used repeatedly to prevent vessels sinking. A notable recent example occurred in March when a fishing boat was safely grounded while on the point of capsize following a collision at a port in northern Norway. The engine room was flooded but a Miko patch was used to seal the hole. As a result the vessel was pumped dry and almost all of its fish catch was saved before being towed 15 miles without incident to another port for repair.
Patches featuring the new design will now be supplied in all new Miko Salvage Kits. These may also include the company’s highly regarded magnetic patches that can quickly seal hull damage that is without any protrusions. They are carried by a wide variety of vessel types including all ships in the French navy.Images for this article - click to enlarge
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