ITCH 1 FAQ & Troubleshooting
Frequently Asked Questions
Below we have compiled the most frequently asked questions concerning ITCH1. The questions have been separated by equipment.
How to prevent getting ITCH in the propeller?
Prior to first use, the towing line should be measured out and cut to avoid the propeller area.
What if the towing line breaks?
The ITCH towing line is a high strength 4mm diameter Dyneema line. In normal operation breakage should not occur. To prevent overload, the winch is equipped with a load switch which turns off the winch if the load exceeds approximately 150kg. The towline is white with a blue core. Users should monitor the towline for color changes through the outer layer and replace or cut back the rope as required.
Breakage near the ITCH
Provided the towing line is properly cut to length and adjusted, breakage near the ITCH should only result in a loss of ITCH.
Breakage far fore
For the towing line to reach the propeller area the ITCH will have to be far aft and the line break far fore. The likelihood of the towing line breaking far fore is limited.
Can the ITCH clean the flat bottom?
ITCH 1 cannot accommodate cleaning of flat bottom.
Can the ITCH clean the bulb area?
ITCH 1 cannot accommodate cleaning of the foremost area of the hull.
Can the ITCH clean the propeller area/rudder?
ITCH 1 cannot accommodate cleaning of propeller area/rudder.
How much time does the operation consume?
The speed on the winch can be adjusted between 2,6-26 meters per minute according to the draft of the vessel. The time for one cleaning pass on a side of a vessel can be estimated from the winch speed.
Which percentage of the hull does the ITCH cover?
This is dependent on the shape of the hull and fore ship, ambient conditions and speed of the vessel.
What if the ITCH is lost?
Please contact us at support@shipshave.no for assistance.
How long do the batteries last in ITCH?
Approximately 10 hours dependent on the ambient temperature.
How often do the brushes require to be replaced?
The wear of the brushes is a result of multiple factors and needs to be evaluated based on the performance documented by the camera. Some factors which affect the brush lifetime are:
- Frequency of use
- Speed of the vessel
- Water temperature
- Storage
What if there is breakage of ITCH's exterior?
Please contact us at support@shipshave.no for assistance.
Is the ITCH ATEX certified?
ITCH 1 with an electric winch is not ATEX certified.
Is the ITCH IP-rated?
The ITCH Robot is fully sealed and can be submerged continuously up to 20 meters. Charging of the ITCH Robot is not IP rated and must be performed in a suitable area.
What frequency should the ITCH be used?
The frequency of use is a result of multiple factors and needs to be evaluated by the operators in situ:
- Antifouling system
- Operational area
- Operation pattern
- Ambient conditions
- Speed of the vessel
How long does it take to charge ITCH?
Approximately 3.5 hours from discharged to charged.
Can the ITCH remove barnacles?
Soft brushes cannot remove barnacles. Shipshave continues to develop new methods for removing more aggressive fouling. Please send an email to support@shipshave.no for the latest information and options.
How long is the towing line?
Shipshave delivers a towing line matching the vessel's LOA.
Can ITCH be use when the vessel is still in the water?
No, the ITCH requires minimum 10 knots through the water for the brushes to exercise enough force towards the hull.
Can the solution be used on more than 1 vessel?
The installation should be treated as a first time use when setting up the solution. Shipshave is exempted from warranty claims if the solution is shifted between vessels.
Can the ITCH be run at night?
Yes, however without proper lighting in the camera's field of view, the process cannot be documented.
How much speed do I gain?
Due to the vast variety of vessels, operational areas, antifouling systems and subsequently amount of fouling Shipshave cannot quantify such amounts.
How much fuel do I save?
Due to the vast variety of vessels, operational areas, antifouling systems and subsequently amount of fouling Shipshave cannot quantify such amounts.
How much CO2/SOx emission is expected reduced
Due to the vast variety of vessels, operational areas, antifouling systems and subsequently amount of fouling Shipshave cannot quantify such amounts.
Does the vessel have to maintain steady course during operation?
No, but steady speed to maintain stable pressure against the hull.
Does Shipshave offer complementary equipment?
Yes, please send an inquiry to sales@shipshave.no
What voltage does the ITCH charger require?
The charger requires voltage between 90 – 264Vac 50/60Hz. It is provided with a 1.5 meter cable with a CEE 7/16 europlug connection. If needed, alternate cables can be used to power the charger. The charger housing connector is an IEC 60320 C7 2-pin style.
Troubleshooting Guide
Damages of exterior parts
If you have spares onboard you can change it. Please refer to User Guide or contact us at support@shipshave.no
Robot fails to charge
1. Ensure the power outlet used is live.
2. Ensure the charger is properly plugged into the power outlet.
3. Ensure the charger is fully plugged into the ITCH Robot.
4. Verify the light on the charger is solid red when disconnected from the ITCH Robot.
Fails to power ON
The indicator light will not turn on if the ITCH is not charged or faulty.
1. Power OFF the unit, wait 5 seconds and restart.
2. Check the light indicator against the user guide.
3. Contact Shipshave if the light indicator fails to turn on.
No vertical motion when in the water
1. Ensure that the ITCH is charged, powered ON, and has a green indicator light.
2. Check that the ITCH's exterior is intact.
3. Verify that the tow bar is attached to the upper side of the ITCH, corresponding to the side due to be cleaned.
4. Verify that the vessel's speed through the water > 9 knots.
The fouling is not removed
The intended use for Shipshave ITCH is on a clean hull, keeping it clean. ITCH requires:
- Power ON
- The ship is sailing faster than 9 knots through the water
- Intact exterior
- Intact brushes. Should the fouling already be established on the hull, the operator should consider repetitive treatments or change complementary equipment.
Barnacles are not removed
Soft brushes cannot remove barnacles.
The ITCH departs from the hull
1. Check that all exterior parts are not damaged or missing.
2. Check that deployment is not occurring in whitewater or large wake from the ship
3. Try deploying further aft on the vessel
The ITCH is stuck on the hull
Review video footage for hull features or obstructions to the robot motion
The Robot is surfacing
Adjust the upper water depth in the User Application and upload to the ITCH via Bluetooth.
The Robot is not reaching the desired water depth
1. Verify configuration values in the User Application.
2. Update the lower water depth the ITCH is set up to reach.
3. Verify the vessel speed through the water is >9 knots.
The ITCH is going too deep
Adjust the lower water depth in the User Software and upload to the ITCH via Bluetooth.
The ITCH does not attach to the hull
1. Is the ITCH charged and powered ON?
2. Is the ITCH's exterior intact?
3. Is the tow bar attached to the upper side of the ITCH, corresponding to the side due to be cleaned?
4. Is the vessel's speed through the water > 9 knots?
The ITCH is caught on something
The suggested methods below are listed in the order of magnitude involved.
Operating aft to fore:
Press Emergency Stop. Switch the winch to manual and spool out 2-3 meters of rope. Make attempts to free the unit by hand by pulling the line. Resume spooling in in manual mode until the ITCH has passed the area the operation was interrupted. If freeing is unsuccessful, repeat and release more rope. Tug the line in all available directions by hand.
Operating fore to aft:
Press Emergency Stop. Switch the winch to manual and spool in the slack on the line. Make attempts to free the unit by hand pulling the line. Carefully resume spooling in in manual mode until the ITCH has passed the area the operation was interrupted. If freeing is unsuccessful, repeat and tug all available directions by hand.
"Chaser ring". Temporarily reduce the vessel speed. Access the ring.
Make sure the line tied to the ring is long enough to pull the chaser ring to where ITCH is positioned.
Make attempts to pull the ITCH free tugging the chaser ring.
Stop the vessel. Should the isolated attempts of a) & b) fail, temporarily stop the vessel.
Make attempts again to free the ITCH by tugging the line in all available directions by hand and or repeat a) & b).
Once freed, and if man handling the ITCH while underway, attempts to pull the ITCH in should be made when the unit is in an upwards motion.
In a downward motion the force will be too great to man handle.