Interview with Raul Yu
In Subsea Newsletter 231 we published an article about the independent paint inspectors who play such an important role in making sure that our coatings are correctly applied and provide maximum protection for the longest time. (Read the article here.) In that article we said we would be publishing additional interviews with other inspectors. This is the third part in the series, after a follow up article in Magazine 234. (Read part 2 here.)
In this article we talk to Raul Yu who attends many, many newbuild and drydock applications of Ecospeed and Ecoshield. Mainly in China but also in other countries in Asia.
Raul Yu
Raul Yu is an independent paint inspector based in Qingdao, China, with 12 years’ experience inspecting a wide range of projects. He has a reputation among Subsea Industries customers of being very hardworking, knowledgeable, and helpful and a real asset to any marine paint project. Following is a recent interview with Raul specifically for this article.
SI: What is your background as a paint inspector?
RY: My first job was as ship hull designer in a major Chinese shipyard back in 2005. Then I was a ship building surveyor (hull section) on behalf of European owners. I have worked as paint inspector since 2009. Actually, my first inspection was an Ecospeed application on a ship hull underwater area in China, as an assistant of a European inspector for Subsea Industries.
Interview with Raul Yu
In Subsea Newsletter 231 we published an article about the independent paint inspectors who play such an important role in making sure that our coatings are correctly applied and provide maximum protection for the longest time. (Read the article here.) In that article we said we would be publishing additional interviews with other inspectors. This is the third part in the series, after a follow up article in Magazine 234. (Read part 2 here.)
In this article we talk to Raul Yu who attends many, many newbuild and drydock applications of Ecospeed and Ecoshield. Mainly in China but also in other countries in Asia.
Raul Yu
Raul Yu is an independent paint inspector based in Qingdao, China, with 12 years’ experience inspecting a wide range of projects. He has a reputation among Subsea Industries customers of being very hardworking, knowledgeable, and helpful and a real asset to any marine paint project. Following is a recent interview with Raul specifically for this article.
SI: What is your background as a paint inspector?
RY: My first job was as ship hull designer in a major Chinese shipyard back in 2005. Then I was a ship building surveyor (hull section) on behalf of European owners. I have worked as paint inspector since 2009. Actually, my first inspection was an Ecospeed application on a ship hull underwater area in China, as an assistant of a European inspector for Subsea Industries.
SI: What are your observations, opinion, feelings about Ecoshield and Ecofix as a solution for the repair of rudders and running gear that has been damaged by cavitation and corrosion, and as protection against damage from cavitation or corrosion?
RY: Pitting caused by cavitation can be seen frequently on rudders or running gear that have not been protected with Ecoshield. Ecofix is the perfect filler for corroded steel repairing and resurfacing. It is easy to mix and apply and cures at room temperature. No hot work is required.
Then Ecoshield protects the area from suffering corrosion and cavitation damage. So usually Ecofix is used in combination with Ecoshield. Because Ecofix uses the same basic resin, Ecoshield can be applied 1 hour after the Ecofix application.
The combination of Ecofix and Ecoshield is a fast, economical and long-lasting solution for areas that have been damaged by cavitation and corrosion.
SI: How easy and quick is the application? Does it save time compared to other possible products?
RY: Ecospeed or Ecoshield application is really quick and flexible.
Ecoshield and Ecospeed application is quite different from other hull coatings in that they are applied directly to the prepared surface. They are applied to bare steel with no need for a primer, undercoat, corrosion protection, tie coat or anything else before application. This is a great time saver.
Only two coats are needed after surface preparation. The overcoating interval can be as short as three hours. So a rudder or bow thruster tunnel application can be completed in a single day.
After application, the curing time is very short. The vessel can leave drydock 24 hours after the final coat, compared to the minimum 36 hours required by other coatings.
“Ecofix is the perfect filler for corroded steel repairing and resurfacing. It is easy to mix and apply and cures at room temperature.”
SI: How good is the protection provided by Ecoshield? Have you seen ships in drydock after 10 years of sailing with Ecoshield on rudders or other running gear? How does the Ecoshield hold up over time?
RY: This is what I hear the most frequently from superintendents or shipyards when I am attending an Ecoshield application: “Hi Raul, good to see you again! The Ecoshield is still in excellent condition with just a few touch-ups needed on a few small areas.” I believe this reflects how good Ecoshield is.
Yes, I have seen tens of rudders in drydock after 10 years of sailing with Ecoshield, and all were in good condition; none of them have suffered from cavitation damage since Ecoshield was applied. From more than 12 years’ experience with Ecoshield, aside from the correct surface preparation, the Ecoshield special formula is the key. Once Ecoshield has been applied and has cured, it forms an extremely tough and durable coating, and it is strong enough to resist the forces of cavitation.
SI: How does Ecoshield compare to alternative products?
RY: There are indeed similar products (vinyl ester or vinyl ester glass flake) in the market. I do believe Ecoshield is the only one of its kind. I am always paying attention to rudders and bow thruster tunnels which are not coated with Ecoshield but some other product. I find serious cavitation corrosion. These products are usually either elastomeric type or other types of hard coatings. They peel off, or cracks are often seen. It seems they are not strong enough to resist or absorb the destructive forces of cavitation.
In over 12 years’ experience of inspecting Ecoshield coated rudders and bow thruster tunnels, etc., there was no cavitation erosion where it normally would be expected to occur – 100% success.
Ecoshield is really a proven solution to protecting rudders and bow thruster tunnels from cavitation erosion.
“I have seen tens of rudders in drydock after 10 years of sailing with Ecoshield, and all were in good condition; none of them have suffered from cavitation damage since Ecoshield was applied.”
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