In October 2016 HMS Caroline, owned by the National Museum of the Royal Navy, was undergoing a hull refurbishment in dry dock at Harland and Wolff in Belfast. Originally designed for 20 years of service, she has now been operating for over 100 years.
It had been 30 years since HMS Caroline’s last overhaul, and numerous comportments, fuel tanks and storage areas below the waterline had been taking on water. This had resulted in scores of leaks when the ship entered dry dock, not to mention a very pitted surface.
Welding was limited to areas of the hull that had no leaks, and that were robust enough to withstand hot works. The client was looking for a long-term repair solution, capable of bonding to a poor substrate and with rapid cure times as the project’s dry dock was already booked for another ship repair.
Belzona materials were specified by Marine Surveyors, and the application was carried out by SPP Engineering Services. For this application, two Belzona materials were chosen as a means of providing an effective, long-lasting repair, Belzona 1111 (Super Metal) and Belzona 1212.
Once complete, HMS Caroline will be returned to her home of Alexandra Dock in the Titanic Quarter in Belfast.
HMS Caroline is a decommissioned C-class light cruiser which saw combat service in World War I and served as an administrative centre in World War II. HMS Caroline was launched and commissioned in 1914. Due to the refurbishment, she is currently closed to the public, but is due to re-open in 2017.
