Hull crack findings on Glen Sannox applied to sister vessel Glen Rosa

Ferguson Marine has identified propeller cavitation as the cause of hull cracking on the UK-flagged Glen Sannox and is applying corrective measures to the sister vessel Glen Rosa.
Chief executive Graeme Thomson told a Scottish Parliament committee that vibration generated during astern operations led to a 20-mm crack in the hull. “The crack that was identified was a 20-mm crack that manifested itself through vibration through the hull, which was caused by cavitation when the ship went astern,” he said.
The yard carried out repairs during a December drydocking and introduced additional steel reinforcement to reduce vibration. “The first step of the solution was to add additional steel to offset the vibration issue in order to prevent any further cracks in the hull,” Thomson said.
A redesigned propeller is also being developed to reduce cavitation, with testing completed in a model basin. “Between the steel that we have installed and the updated propellers, we will have a solution whereby this will not happen again,” he said.
Chief financial officer David Dishon said repair costs exceeded GBP 1 million (EUR 1.16 million).
The same modifications are now being incorporated into Glen Rosa during construction.