Minehunter Coastal (MHC) Diving System

Project Summary

Over the past 25 years, HIFraser has held a critical role in the design, manufacture and sustainment of the Navy’s Minehunter Coastal (MHC) Diving Systems.

Starting in the 1990’s, HI Fraser worked with the shipbuilder ADI (now known as Thales Australia) and our long standing specialist valve partner, Hale Hamilton Valves to design and integrate the diving system into the MHC’s.

Specifications

Project

MHC Diving System – 1997 to present

Client

Thales Australia

End User

Royal Australian Navy

Project Scope

Design, manufacture & sustain

Project Details

Over the past 25 years, HIFraser has held a critical role in the design, manufacture and sustainment of the Navy’s Minehunter Coastal (MHC) Diving Systems.

The diving system comprises:

High Pressure Breathing Air Compressor (HPAC)
Oxygen & mixed gas cylinders
Booster pumps
Diving cylinder charging stations
Emergency damage control breathing apparatus charging stations
A two-man twin lock recompression chamber
Pressure reduction & distribution panels

Project Overview

In 2005, after a RAN review of the recompression treatment tables used in the recompression chamber, HIFraser was tasked to investigate and propose a design change to safely incorporate alternative treatment gases into the system.
HIFraser designed, manufactured and commissioned an upgrade to the Built In Breathing System (BIBS) supplying the recompression chamber with various treatment gases. This solution provided the ship’s chamber operators with a simpler and safer system thereby reducing the risk associated with conducting decompression treatments.
Throughout the MHCs life, HIFraser has worked for both the Managing Contractor, Thales Australia, and the Mine Clearance Diving Systems Program Office (MCDSPO) to maintain and sustain the Diving System.
As a RAN Approved Hyperbaric Repairer with ISO certified cleanrooms for overhauling oxygen and breathing air components, HIFraser has maintained and supported the MHC Diving Systems since they were originally built.
HIFraser’s highly experienced hyperbaric engineers have also provided engineering support to the MCDSPO throughout the life of the MHCs by conducting ship audits, safe-to-dive inspections and failure investigations.