Ohio River Tugboat Hull Coating

Client: Inland Marine OperatorIndustry: Marine / River Transport

Challenge

103' tugboat operating on the Ohio River. The previous hull coating had disbonded across roughly 80% of the hull after only 24 months, leaving poor protection. Hull plates were severely pitted and corroded, with abrasive blasting penetrating the steel in spots. The operator needed a more durable, longer-lasting hull coating solution.

Belzona Solution

Full surface restoration of the pitted plating followed by application of the Belzona 5811 immersion-grade hull coating system — a beige base coat rolled and sprayed over the prepared steel, then a dark topcoat for durable, long-term protection.

Belzona 5811 (Immersion Grade)

Result

Durable long-lasting hull protection replacing a prior coating system that had failed in service after 24 months.

Project Photos

Before: 103' tugboat in dry dock on blocks, hull plating corroded and coating failed.

Before: previous coating disbonded from the pitted steel substrate.

Before: widespread pitting across the hull plate, prior coating lifting away.

Before: coating loss and corrosion around the plate seams.

Before: failed coating and corrosion in the tunnel and propeller area.

Prepared steel along a structural member ahead of coating.

Belzona 5811 base coat being rolled onto the bottom plating.

Base coat continuous across the stern and bottom of the hull.

Completed Belzona 5811 hull coating system — durable long-term protection.