Protecting the Propeller – Specialist Shrink Wrap Installation on the HMSDavid Attenborough
- EcoShrink
- May 5, 2017
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 27
EcoShrink delivered tailored shrink wrap protection for one of the main propellers on the UK’s new polar research vessel, the RRS Sir David Attenborough. Working under the hull during construction, the team enclosed the propeller in flame-retardant shrink wrap using a bonded system – with no welding and no scaffold fixings – so nearby hull works could continue without risking damage or contamination.
Summary (At a Glance)
🛳️ Vessel: RRS Sir David Attenborough (“Boaty McBoatface”)
📍 Location: Under-hull work area during construction
🎯 Objective: Protect a finished propeller from dust, debris and sparks during
adjacent hull works
🛡️ System: Tailored, flame-retardant shrink wrap bonded directly to the propeller – no welding, no scaffold
Project overview
The RRS Sir David Attenborough is the UK’s £200 million polar research vessel, designed to support science in the world’s most extreme environments. During construction, every key component – especially major propulsion elements – required careful protection as other trades worked around them. When the build team needed to carry out welding and surface preparation on the hull near one of the main propellers, they couldn’t allow dust, sparks or debris to mark or contaminate the finished propeller surface. There was no scaffold or frame to wrap to and no welding allowed on the asset itself. EcoShrink was brought in to design a truly specialist shrink wrap solution that would protect the propeller without compromising its integrity
Challenges on site
No scaffold or frame available beneath the hull to support a conventional wrap
No welding or mechanical fixings permitted on the finished propeller surface
Confined, awkward access working underneath the ship around a large, complex blade profile
Live hull works nearby, including welding and surface prep, generating dust, debris and hot particles
Requirement for flame-retardant protection suitable for a marine construction environment
Our specialist bonded shrink wrap solution
EcoShrink used a marine-grade adhesive installation method so the wrap could be fixed securely to the propeller without damage.
Bonded attachment – no welding, no drilling
Selected a high-strength marine-grade adhesive compatible with metal and suitable for temporary protection
Used the adhesive to bond shrink wrap directly to the propeller surface, avoiding welding, drilling or mechanical fixings
Designed the layout so loads were spread across the surface, keeping the protection secure under site conditions
Flame-retardant, marine-grade shrink wrap
Chose a durable, flame-retardant film rated for outdoor marine use around hot works
Applied the film in a wraparound configuration, enclosing the full propeller profile rather than just draping a sheet
Heat-welded seams and overlaps to create a snug, weather-tight and debris-tight seal around blades and hub
Built for extreme access conditions
Planned the sequence so most welding and bonding was carried out inboard of the blade edges, reducing work in the most confined positions
Adapted detailing to follow the propeller’s complex geometry while still allowing the wrap to shrink evenly
Installed and tested the protection within a narrow programme window so hull works could continue without delay
Results
The propeller was fully enclosed and sealed, protecting it from dust, debris, sparks and overspray during nearby hull works
Protection was achieved with no welding, drilling or mechanical fixings on the finished propeller
The bonded shrink wrap system stayed secure in challenging under-hull conditions until works were complete
Hull trades were able to progress on programme, confident that one of the vessel’s most valuable components was safely isolated
The project showed how shrink wrap can provide precision protection for high-value, irregular assets in shipbuilding and heavy engineering – not just scaffold and façade work
Specialist projects demand specialist solutions
EcoShrink’s role on the Sir David Attenborough underlines how adaptable shrink wrap can be when combined with the right methods and experience. This wasn’t a standard scaffold wrap – it was a bonded protection system for a complex, high-value component with almost no conventional fixing options. From aircraft and propellers to museum pieces and one-off fabrications, the same approach can be adapted wherever sensitive assets need temporary, non-invasive protection.
FAQ
Why was a bonded shrink wrap system needed for the propeller?
There was no scaffold or frame under the hull to attach to, and no welding or mechanical fixings were allowed on the finished propeller surface. A bonded shrink wrap system using marine-grade adhesive allowed the protection to be fixed directly to the metal without damaging it, while still providing a secure, sealed enclosure.
What did the shrink wrap protect the propeller from?
The wrap shielded the propeller from dust, debris, sparks and other contaminants generated by welding and surface preparation on nearby hull sections. By fully enclosing the blades and hub, it kept the finished surface clean and untouched until surrounding works were complete.
Is this type of solution only for marine projects?
No. The same principles – bonded fixings, flame-retardant film and custom-fitted wrap – can be applied to aircraft parts, large machinery, bespoke fabrications and other high-value components where standard sheeting and fixings don’t work. The David Attenborough project is one example of how shrink wrap can provide precision protection in demanding engineering environments.
Similar projects & next steps
EcoShrink applies similar bespoke methods across specialist marine, aviation and highvalue engineering projects where standard sheeting and fixings simply won’t work. For more examples, see our Specialist Install Case Studies hub, or visit our Specialist Installation service page for methods, options and FAQs. Use the shrink wrap calculator.
If you have a critical component, unusual geometry or constrained access area to protect, share your photos, drawings and programme and we’ll return a tailored shrink wrap method and earliest installation dates.
