Anti-mine protective coating for ships and marine structures

Abstract

A protective coating applied to the underside of vessels, ships or ferrous marine structures prevents explosives or limpet-type mines that attach via magnets from attaching below the waterline. The coating provides shielding and attenuates the field strength of the magnetic flux created by magnets that hold the explosives or mines in place.

1 . An anti-magnetic coating for a vessel having a hull, said anti-magnetic coating covering at least a portion of said hull that extends below a water line and having diamagnetic properties.  
   
   
       2 . The anti-magnetic coating of  claim 1  consisting of one or more selected from the following: 
 aliphatic polyurethanes, aromatic polyurethanes, acrylic epoxy, acrylic/urethane blends, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, and vinyl plastisols.    
   
   
       3 . The anti-magnetic coating for a vessel of  claim 2  further including one or more of a biocide selected from the group consisting of: calcium oxide, cerium oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, copper oxide, tributyltin, diuron, copper thiocyanate, Irgarol 1051, zinc pyrithione and dichlofluanid.  
   
   
       4 . The anti-magnetic coating for a vessel of  claim 1  further including one or more of a biocide selected from the group consisting of: calcium oxide, cerium oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, copper oxide, tributyltin, diuron, copper thiocyanate, Irgarol 1051, zinc pyrithione and dichlofluanid.  
   
   
       5 . The anti-magnetic coating of  claim 1  having a thickness of not less than 0.0625″.  
   
   
       6 . A vessel comprising: 
 a propulsion means for driving said vessel through water;    a metal hull surrounding at least a portion of said propulsion means; and,    an exterior coating on said metal hull consisting of one or more selected from the following: aliphatic polyurethanes, aromatic polyurethanes, acrylic epoxy, acrylic/urethane blends, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, and vinyl plastisols    
   
   
       7 . The vessel of  claim 6  further comprising: 
 one or more of a biocide selected from the group consisting of: calcium oxide, cerium oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, copper oxide, tributyltin, diuron, copper thiocyanate, Irgarol 1051, zinc pyrithione and dichlofluanid.    
   
   
       8 . A ferrous magnetic support member for a marine structure comprising: 
 a ferrous magnetic material; and    a coating on an exterior surface of said ferrous magnetic material, said coating consisting of one or more selected from the following: aliphatic polyurethanes, aromatic polyurethanes, acrylic epoxy, acrylic/urethane blends, nylon, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, and vinyl plastisols.    
   
   
       9 . The ferrous magnetic support member of  claim 8  further including: 
 including one or more of a biocide selected from the group consisting of: calcium oxide, cerium oxide, magnesium oxide, titanium oxide, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, copper oxide, tributyltin, diuron, copper thiocyanate, Irgarol 1051, zinc pyrithione and dichlofluanid.