DEPARTMENT OF MARINE ENGININEERING

This research evaluates the efficacy and practical challenges of various corrosion prevention techniques applied to ship hulls, with a specific focus on identifying best-practice methods suited for the tropical marine environment of West Africa. Corrosion, accelerated by high temperatures, elevated salinity, and intense microbiological activity prevalent in these waters, significantly compromises vessel safety, operational efficiency, and necessitates substantial maintenance expenditure. The study employed a comprehensive literature review and comparative analysis across three primary defense strategies: Protective Coatings, Sacrificial Anode Cathodic Protection (SACP), and Impressed Current Cathodic Protection (ICCP). Findings confirm that an integrated protection system is mandatory, where high- performance multi-layer coatings serve as the primary barrier, and Cathodic Protection acts as the essential secondary defense against localized failure. Specifically, the combination of robust coatings with ICCP is determined to be the most durable and cost-effective long-term solution for large commercial vessels, while SACP is preferable for smaller coastal crafts due to its simplicity and low maintenance. Crucially, the analysis identifies significant regional challenges, including poor surface preparation standards, skill gaps among applicators, and limited access to certified tropical- grade materials, which collectively undermine the performance of advanced techniques. The research concludes with key recommendations centered on implementing standards, developing local corrosion models, and strengthening policy enforcement and technical training to ensure sustainable and effective hull preservation in the region

The essence of this project lies in the creation of a prototype that serves as an educational tool, offering a tangible insight into the world of offshore logistics. This prototype, a scaled -down version of a Platform Supply Vessel (PSV), is designed to mimic the functionalities of a real PSV. The highlight of this educational resource is its physical design. The prototype features a distinctive hull design and bow shape, mirroring those of a real PSV. These elements not only add to its visual appeal but also play a crucial role in optimizing performance. Thus, This prototype stands as a unique innovation in the realm of educational resources for offshore logistics.

This study investigates the potential of Water Hyacinth Fiber Reinforced Composites (WHFRC) as lightweight materials for ship interior applications. Water hyacinth, an abundant aquatic weed found in Nigerian inland waterways, was considered due to its low cost, availability, and environmental advantages. The research focused on extracting fiber from water hyacinth petioles through water retting, followed by fabrication of composite samples using epoxy resin and a cashew-nut shell liquid-based hardener. Materials used included water hyacinth fibers as reinforcement. Equipment utilized comprised an oven dryer for heat treatment, analytical weighing balance for mass measurements, universal testing machine for tensile and flexural strength analysis, and water absorption apparatus for evaluating hydrophilicity. The harvested water hyacinth was dried at ambient temperature to remove excess water for 14days, sample representative was taken to the for further heating using heat furnace. It was weighed before being heated at 100°c and then brought out weighing to determine moisture loss. This was done at 200°c, 300°c and 600°c(this is where carbonization takes place). At 300°c the specimen was taken for water absorption test for 24hours Tests carried out included tensile, thermal stability, water absorption, and flexural strength. Results showed that water hyacinth fiber composites exhibited low tensile strength, poor thermal stability, and extremely highwater absorption (above 500%), leading to failure in flexural strength tests. These results indicate that water hyacinth fibers are unsuitable for direct use in marine composite applications, especially for ship interior panels exposed to moisture and temperature variations. The study concludes that although WHFRCs are environmentally friendly, their high hydrophilicity and weak bonding characteristics limit their application in the marine sector unless surface treatment or hybridization with stronger fibers is applied