Why is underwater hull cleaning important?
This information was taken from a study conducted by the United States Navy. Throughout the time a vessel is in the water it is continually subject to the detrimental effects of both marine fouling and stray electrical current. The US Navy conducted well documented studies showing that a smooth clean hull is essential to assuring optimal performance and maximum fuel economy.Fuel economy is undoubtedly one of the major reasons for hull upkeep. Increased fuel consumption results from the frictional resistance of marine growth, as well as the added weight of the growth itself. Even a lightly fouled vessel can result in a 15% increase in fuel costs. In addition, the adverse effects of marine fouling on fuel consumption magnify as speed increases. In addition to higher fuel costs, an increase in rpm’s to attain speed in spite of fouling creates additional strain on the engine, demanding that it work harder. Generally this reduces the operational life of the engine and other moving parts, an
