Mobile-Alabama based Offshore-Inland Marine & Oilfield Services has completed hull repairs on the battleship USS Alabama, the state of Alabama's most popular tourist attraction. The 680-ft. battleship was in need of extensive hull repairs after spending 38 years in the muddy waters of Mobile Bay.
The USS Alabama sits in about 10 feet of water while her hull rests in another 20 feet of mud. To get to the corroded portions of the hull, a cofferdam was built around the ship and the water pumped out. Approximately 4 feet of mud was excavated from both the port and starboard sides of the vessel. Workers used platforms made from wood
mats to cross the gumbo like mud and perform the needed repairs on the
vessel. Offshore-Inland Marine & Oilfield Services removed 10,000 square feet of corroded steel from the battleship's hull. The corroded steel was replaced with ¼ inch thick steel inserts, and then 18,000 square feet of ½ inch thick steel plating was installed over the battleship's hull at and below the waterline. Finally, the battleship was primed and painted to its original color.
Other contractors involved in the hull restoration project
included Jordan Pile Driving, Damrich Coatings and USI, Inc. of Mobile.