Patent ID: 6907836

Claim:
A method of rebuilding an existing single hull tanker into a rebuilt double hull tanker comprising: forming an outer bottom hull from existing outer bottom plating; cutting temporary cut-outs in existing topside decking; installing at least a portion of a new inner bottom hull through said temporary cut-outs in said existing topside decking; forming said new inner bottom hull from new inner bottom plating installed internally over said existing outer bottom plating; connecting said new inner bottom hull and said existing outer bottom hull in a spaced apart relationship using a plurality of connecting members to form a new double bottom hull; forming inner side hulls from existing inner side plating; forming new outer side hulls from new outer side plating installed externally over said existing inner side plating; and connecting said existing inner side hulls and said new outer side hulls in a spaced apart relationship using a plurality of connecting members to form new port and starboard double side hulls; wherein said new double bottom hull and said new double side hulls form a new double hull over at least a cargo carrying portion of said rebuilt double hull tanker.