Inflatable Salvage Tubes are heavy-duty cylindrical buoyancy systems engineered for controlled underwater lifting, stabilization, and recovery operations. Designed for professional marine applications, the cylindrical structure ensures uniform buoyancy distribution, predictable vertical lift, and reduced stress concentration on hull structures during lifting operations.
Manufactured from multi-layer reinforced PVC-coated fabric, the tubes combine high tensile strength with excellent flexibility, allowing them to conform to complex hull geometries while maintaining structural integrity. The material system provides superior abrasion resistance, long-term airtight performance, and reliable operation in harsh marine environments, including exposure to saltwater, UV radiation, and variable temperatures.
Each Inflatable Salvage Tube is equipped with industrial-grade inflation and overpressure relief valves, enabling precise buoyancy control and enhanced operational safety. The modular design allows single or multiple units to be deployed simultaneously, offering scalable buoyancy solutions for a wide range of vessel sizes and lifting requirements.
A coastal shipyard was contracted to perform structural repairs on a 1,800 DWT general cargo vessel undergoing mid-life refurbishment. During the removal of damaged internal steel structures, the vessel experienced a significant weight imbalance, causing uneven draft and safety concerns.
Hongruntong Marine Inflatable Salvage Tubes were deployed along the starboard side below the waterline. Using staged inflation, the tubes provided progressive buoyancy, allowing precise correction of the vessel's trim and heel. The cylindrical geometry ensured stable lift without inducing localized stress on the hull plating.
The operation was completed safely within one working shift, resulting in improved working conditions, enhanced safety margins, and reduced crane usage. The client later confirmed reuse of the same units for subsequent operations.
| Product Name | Inflatable Salvage Tubes |
|---|---|
| Raw Material | PVC Coating Fabric |
| Type | Cylindrical |
| Size | 500kg, 1000kg, 5000kg, 10000kg, etc. |
| Thickness | 0.4-1.2mm, or as Request |
| Color | Yellow, Blue, Black, etc. |
| Density | 0.33-0.9g/cm³ |
| Safety Factor | 7:1 |
| Tolerances | ±0.03 on Densities, ±0.2mm on Thickness, ±0 to +3mm on Width, ±0 to +3mm on Length |
| Model | Buoyancy (kg) | Buoyancy (lbs) | Diameter (mm) | Length (mm) | Approx. Weight (kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HM-IST1 | 200 | 441 | 500 | 1,000 | 5 |
| HM-IST02 | 500 | 1,103 | 800 | 1,000 | 8 |
| HM-IST03 | 1,000 | 2,205 | 1,000 | 1,500 | 11 |
| HM-IST04 | 2,000 | 4,410 | 1,300 | 1,500 | 20 |
| HM-IST05 | 4,000 | 8,820 | 1,600 | 2,000 | 50 |
| HM-IST06 | 6,000 | 13,230 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 66 |
| HM-IST07 | 8,000 | 17,640 | 2,000 | 2,600 | 75 |
| HM-IST08 | 10,000 | 22,050 | 2,400 | 2,400 | 80 |
| HM-IST09 | 15,000 | 33,075 | 2,600 | 3,000 | 110 |
| HM-IST10 | 20,000 | 44,100 | 3,000 | 3,000 | 130 |
| HM-IST11 | 30,000 | 66,150 | 3,000 | 4,500 | 170 |
| HM-IST12 | 50,000 | 110,250 | 4,000 | 4,000 | 220 |
| HM-IST13 | 70,000 | 154,350 | 4,000 | 5,700 | 310 |
| HM-IST14 | 100,000 | 220,500 | 4,000 | 8,000 | 450 |
| HM-IST15 | 150,000 | 330,750 | 5,000 | 8,000 | 660 |
| HM-IST16 | 200,000 | 441,000 | 5,000 | 10,000 | 900 |