In the event of water ingress on board, the time factor often determines the further course of damage. If water enters an operating room on board unhindered, seconds can determine whether a leak remains manageable or escalates. With this in mind, an inventor from Münsterland has developed a system that complements and in part redefines classic leak defence: the patented Leak Stop Gun (LSG).

For decades, maritime damage defence has relied on tried and tested methods such as leak stoppers, wooden wedges, beams, leak patches, textiles or leak sails. These methods are tried and tested, but reach their limits with irregular leak shapes, high flow rates or limited manpower. The Leak Stop Gun takes a different approach here.

The history of the Leak Stop Gun follows the classic principle that necessity is the mother of invention. The starting point was a tank leak at a farm where large quantities of slurry were escaping in an uncontrolled manner. However, due to a lack of suitable immediate measures, the fire brigade emergency services were unable to stop the leak. Dipl.-Ing. Agrar (FH) Bernd-Josef Wenning then developed a mobile leak sealing system, which is now used by fire brigades, disaster control organisations and the German Navy, among others.

The core component of the Leak Stop Gun is an acid and alkali-resistant, inflatable special balloon made of synthetic rubber with a fabric cover. In contrast to rigid sealants, this balloon adapts positively to irregular or sharp-edged leak geometries. The balloon is inserted into the opening as a sealing body and inflated within a few seconds. The resulting internal pressure reliably seals the opening even in the event of a strong medium flow or external water pressure.

In practical use, the LSG acts as a self-sufficient first aid system for damage defence. It can be operated by a single person, thus reducing the need for personnel in the critical initial phase of an incident. Every member of the navy who has completed their first fire and leak defence exercises, for example on the training frigate EX-KÖLN in the Marine Damage Prevention Training Centre (EAZS M) in Neustadt in Holstein, knows the oppressive feeling when water enters the ship unhindered and under pressure. In such moments, calm, team coordination and time are the decisive factors. The Leak Stop Gun can provide precisely this time to quickly seal a leak, stabilise the situation and initiate further, sustainable repairs in a controlled manner.

Video of the test deployment on EX-KÖLN: