Hull Cleaning & Ship Husbandry

Professional Hull Cleaning & Underwater Vessel Maintenance

Wells Marine provides specialist hull cleaning and ship husbandry services for commercial vessels, government fleets, tug operators, ports, marinas and marine asset owners throughout Sydney, the east coast and inland New South Wales.

Marine growth, corrosion and underwater wear can significantly reduce vessel performance, increase fuel consumption and shorten the lifespan of critical components. Regular hull cleaning and preventative underwater maintenance help vessels operate more efficiently while reducing long-term operating costs and avoiding unnecessary dry docking.

With experienced commercial divers, specialist underwater cleaning equipment and extensive marine maintenance expertise, Wells Marine delivers reliable ship husbandry services that keep your vessel operating at peak performance.

Contact Wells Marine to schedule your next hull cleaning or underwater maintenance service.

Complete Ship Husbandry Services

Ship husbandry refers to the routine underwater maintenance carried out while a vessel remains afloat. These services help maintain safety, efficiency and compliance while minimising vessel downtime.

Our ship husbandry services include:

Hull cleaning
Propeller polishing
Rudder inspections
Thruster cleaning
Sea chest cleaning
Intake grille cleaning
Marine growth removal
Rope and debris removal
Sacrificial anode inspections
Underwater hull inspections
Minor underwater repairs
Underwater photography and video
In-water condition surveys
Commercial diving support
Planned maintenance programs

Hull Cleaning

Restore Vessel Performance

Marine fouling begins forming almost immediately after a vessel enters the water. Barnacles, algae, mussels and other marine organisms increase hull roughness, creating additional drag and reducing fuel efficiency.

Our commercial divers safely remove marine growth from:

Hull plating
Waterline areas
Bilge keels
Keels
Bow thrusters
Stern sections
Hull appendages
Sea chests

Regular hull cleaning helps restore hydrodynamic performance while reducing fuel consumption and engine load.

Propeller Cleaning & Polishing

Improve Efficiency Below the Waterline

Propellers perform best when their surfaces remain smooth and free from fouling.

Our services include:

Marine growth removal
Propeller polishing
Inspection for damage
Blade condition assessments
Cavitation checks
Minor debris removal

A clean, polished propeller improves propulsion efficiency, reduces vibration and can contribute to lower operating costs.

Sea Chest & Intake Cleaning

Maintain Reliable Cooling Water Flow

Marine growth inside sea chests and cooling water intakes can restrict water flow, affecting engine cooling and onboard systems.

Wells Marine cleans:

Sea chests
Cooling water intakes
Grilles
Strainers
Thruster tunnels
Intake screens

Routine cleaning helps maintain reliable vessel performance and reduces the risk of overheating or restricted water circulation.

Underwater Vessel Inspections

Supporting Planned Maintenance

Routine underwater inspections allow vessel owners to monitor structural condition without removing the vessel from service.

Our inspections assess:

Hull condition
Marine growth levels
Coating performance
Corrosion
Propellers
Rudders
Thrusters
Sacrificial anodes
Sea chests
Hull appendages

Detailed reports, underwater photography and HD video assist with maintenance planning and compliance requirements.

Rope & Debris Removal

Prevent Damage to Propulsion Systems

Floating ropes, fishing gear and marine debris can become entangled around propellers, shafts and rudders, reducing vessel performance and potentially causing serious mechanical damage.

Our commercial divers safely remove:

Rope
Fishing nets
Wire
Plastic debris
Mooring lines
Marine litter
Vegetation

Rapid removal helps minimise downtime and prevents further damage to propulsion equipment.

Sacrificial Anode Inspections

Protecting Against Corrosion

Sacrificial anodes play a vital role in protecting underwater steel components from galvanic corrosion.

Our divers inspect:

Hull anodes
Rudder anodes
Propeller shaft anodes
Thruster anodes
Sea chest protection systems

Where deterioration is identified, we provide recommendations for replacement during scheduled maintenance periods.

In-Water Maintenance

Reduce Dry Dock Costs

Many routine maintenance tasks can be completed while the vessel remains afloat.

Our in-water services include:

Hull cleaning
Marine growth removal
Propeller polishing
Underwater inspections
Debris removal
Condition assessments
Minor underwater repairs
Photography and video documentation

Completing maintenance in the water reduces operational disruption and may eliminate the need for unnecessary haul-outs.

Commercial Diving Expertise

Safe Underwater Operations

All underwater work is performed by experienced commercial divers using professional diving systems and industry-approved safety procedures.

Our diving operations support:

Commercial shipping
Tug fleets
Ferries
Barges
Workboats
Fishing vessels
Government fleets
Marine construction vessels

Every project is planned to suit the vessel, operating environment and maintenance objectives.

Planned Maintenance Programs

Protect Your Marine Assets

Routine underwater maintenance extends asset life and helps prevent costly emergency repairs.

Our maintenance programs can include:

Scheduled hull cleaning
Routine inspections
Propeller polishing
Anode inspections
Sea chest cleaning
Performance monitoring
Maintenance reporting
Annual servicing schedules

Preventative maintenance reduces long-term costs while helping vessels remain operational for longer.

Our Hull Cleaning & Ship Husbandry Process

Initial Consultation

We discuss your vessel, maintenance objectives and operational schedule.

Vessel Assessment

Our team reviews the vessel type, underwater condition, location and required maintenance activities.

Work Planning

A project-specific work plan is prepared covering:

Diving operations
Vessel access
Safety procedures
Environmental controls
Equipment requirements

Underwater Maintenance

Commercial divers complete the required maintenance using specialist underwater cleaning equipment and proven marine maintenance techniques.

Reporting

Following completion, clients receive a detailed summary of work undertaken together with photographs, video and maintenance recommendations where required.

Why Choose Wells Marine?

Experienced Commercial Divers

Our commercial divers have extensive experience maintaining commercial vessels operating throughout Australian waterways.

Specialist Underwater Equipment

We use commercial-grade underwater cleaning equipment designed to safely remove marine growth while protecting hull coatings and vessel components.

Reduced Downtime

Our in-water maintenance services minimise operational interruptions by allowing many maintenance tasks to be completed without dry docking.

Complete Marine Services

In addition to hull cleaning, Wells Marine provides underwater inspections, NDT surveys, marine construction, underwater welding, salvage and ongoing marine maintenance.

Safety & Professionalism

Every project is completed using detailed dive plans, risk assessments and industry best practice to ensure safe, efficient and reliable outcomes.

Industries We Support

Our hull cleaning and ship husbandry services support:

Commercial shipping companies
Tug and towage operators
Ferry operators
Ports and harbour authorities
Government fleets
Defence contractors
Fishing fleets
Marine construction companies
Offshore support vessels
Marina operators
Workboat operators
Vessel owners