Why are Ships often painted Red below the Waterline?

[biggsgolf]

https://youtu.be/-AdW030xQB4

[CC Clarke]

I worked in the Sonar shop at Trident Refit Facility Bangor for ten years after I got out of the Navy, The hydrophone fairings were painted with Organotin to prevent fouling and it was so toxic we had to wear gloves when removing/installing them. Washington state was one of the first to outlaw it.

The Red Lead used below the waterline was also changed to some other less-toxic coating. Each Trident was drydocked for a refit every eighteen months when the entire hull would be hydro-blasted, then sand-blasted and re-painted.

CCC

[biggsgolf]

Interesting! Thanks

[redboat219]

[JHapprich]

Growler ( unsure, greyback ir growler's still on display?) as a target ship.

[redboat219]

USS Grayback (SSG-574) departing Subic Naval Base. Painted orange as a target ship. Sunk April 13, 1986.

[JHapprich]

Ah yes, ill try to memorize that! Thank you!