Self-closing Seachest Unit

Miko Marine (Norway) has developed a self-closing sea chest unit. The new Integrated Remote Closure of Seachest (IRCS) features a simple construction that eliminates in-water operation and enables hydraulic and/or manual operation from onboard the vessel. The manufacturer claims that this seachest unit is easy to install for new built ships or for retrofit on existing vessels. It facilitates in-water surveys and maintenance greatly improving efficiency of cleaning of grids and inlets.

Closing of a sea chest for in-water repair or survey has always been time consuming, with some elements of risk and high cost involved. Traditional methods require installation of a "blind" on the outside of the seachest grid. This in-water operation also requires careful planning and the use of divers or ROV's. It is time consuming and often leads to downtime of a vessel.The IRCS is a pre-manufactured "box unit" which is available in four standard sizes and can also be custom built. The company has applied for a patent and also expects to obtain approvals from classification societies.