ABSTRACT
The integrity of metals responds to the sea as a complex complete system and not simply to an equivalent saline solution in isolation. The natural characteristics of the sea that simultaneously influence the effects of seawater on metals and their protective coatings include not only composition but depth, temperature, dynamics, biology and pollution. Marine atmospheres of most interest in the context of corrosion are associated with local environments of shipping, coastal activities and offshore installations. The chapter discusses the functions and nature of the paint coatings. The surface of a hull comprises four parts which require different approaches to paint systems according to the conditions of service, as follows: ships' bottoms, ships' tops and superstructures, waterline zones, and interior surfaces. Many of the considerations that apply to corrosion protection of ships apply also to the structure of offshore oil production platforms.
