Rebuilt double hull tanker and method of rebuilding an existing single hull tanker into a rebuilt double hull tanker

A method of rebuilding an existing single hull tanker into double hull tanker having an internally rebuilt double bottom and externally rebuilt double sides, said method comprising:

• cutting out a section of the turn of the bilge on one side of said tanker, including at least a portion of a side shell of said existing single hull above existing web framing to form access holes in said side shell, wherein said cut-out section of said turn of the bilge covers one cargo hold;
• cutting out a lower portion of one or more longitudinal bulkheads proximate said one side above said existing web framing to form access apertures in said longitudinal bulkheads, wherein said cut-out lower portion covers said one cargo hold;
• installing a new inner bottom hull in one or more sections from said side of said tanker through said access holes and internally over said existing web framing to cover said cargo hull fore and aft and side to side from a longitudinal bulkhead to said side shell;
• connecting said new inner bottom hull to a distal end of said existing web framing so that said new inner bottom hull is in a spaced-apart relationship to said existing outer bottom hull to form a portion of a new double bottom hull;
• installing a new bottom filler piece to an outboard end of said portion of said new double bottom hull;
• installing bulkhead inserts to close said access apertures in said lower portion of said longitudinal bulkhead;
• installing inserts to close said access holes in said side shell;
• connecting said turn of the bilge to an outboard end of said bottom filler piece;
• installing a new side filler piece including a new outer side hull externally over said existing inner side hull;
• connecting said new outer side hull to said existing inner side hull using connecting plates to connect said new outer side hull in a spaced-apart relationship to said existing inner side hull to form a portion of a new double side hull;
• connecting said new side filler piece to an upper end of said turn of the bilge;
• connecting a new outer portion of topside decking to an outer peripheral edge of existing topside decking;
• cutting out a section of said turn of the bilge on an opposite side of said cargo hold, including at least a portion of a side shell of said existing single hull on said opposite side above said existing web framing to form access holes in said side shell on said opposite side, wherein said section of said turn of the bilge covers said one cargo hold;
• installing said new inner bottom hull in one or more sections from said opposite side of said tanker through said access holes and internally over said existing web framing to cover said cargo hull fore and aft and side to side from said longitudinal bulkhead to said opposite side shell;
• connecting said new inner bottom hull to a distal end of said existing web framing so that said new inner bottom hull is in a spaced-apart relationship to said existing outer bottom hull to form a second portion of a new double bottom hull;
• installing a second bottom filler piece to an outboard end of said second portion of said new double bottom hull;
• installing an insert to close said access holes in said opposite side shell;
• connecting said turn of the bilge to an outboard end of said second bottom filler piece;
• installing a new side filler piece including an outer side hull externally over said existing inner side hull of said opposite side and an upper end of said turn of the bilge;
• connecting said new outer side hull to said existing inner side hull of said opposite side using connecting plates to connect said new outer side hull in a spaced-apart relationship to said existing inner side hull to form a new double side hull;
• connecting said new side filler piece to an upper end of said turn of the bilge;
• connecting a new outer portion of topside decking to an outer peripheral edge of existing topside decking;
• and
• repeating the above steps for each cargo hold of said tanker.

A method of rebuilding an existing single hull tanker into a rebuilt double hull tanker comprising the steps of:

• forming a new double hull comprising a new double bottom hull and new double side hulls over at least the cargo carrying portion of said rebuilt double hull tanker;
• internally installing a new inner bottom hull through access holes cut into the sides of the tanker and over an existing outer bottom hull of said existing single hull tanker;
• connecting said new inner bottom hull to said existing outer bottom hull in a spaced apart relationship to form said rebuilt tanker having said new double bottom hull having the same baseline as said existing single hull tanker;
• externally installing a new outer port side hull over an existing inner port side hull of said existing single hull tanker and externally installing a new outer starboard side hull over an existing inner starboard side hull of said existing single hull tanker;
• and
• connecting said new outer port side hull in a spaced apart relationship to said existing inner port side hull and connecting said new outer starboard side hull in a spaced apart relationship to said existing inner starboard side hull to form said rebuilt tanker having a said new double side hulls having an increase beam as compared to said beam of said existing single hull.