5 Savvy Ways to Spend Leftover Underwater Survey Inspection Budget

Inspection is done before or after charter or before the sale, to check the condition of the vessel underwater. It is conducted by commercial divers and inspection can also be done before dry-docking to save time. Underwater inspection can also be called an in-water survey. Inspecting the underwater parts of a ship to ensure whether they need repair or not, to check the seaworthiness of a ship.

Underwater inspection can be performed without requiring dry-docking that makes the inspection economical and save time. The process of inspection can be carried out with a help of a camera or by the divers of the ship repair and maintenance services company. The inspection done with the help of a camera provides pictures to the shipowner to seek detailed reports of the condition of the vessel.

For conducting the underwater inspection, the commercial divers require equipment like diving helmets, cameras and light underwater, diving communication system, underwater welding, diving gear, cutting and other equipment. Since the visibility in the water is not clear, underwater inspection is considered a risky task. ROV technology is also used to conduct an underwater inspection. Inspection by divers is more beneficial to ROV since divers can measure and find even small damages but in the case of ROV, it only provides images.

Some of the underwater inspection services are –

• Hull inspection
• Propeller inspection
• Cleaning and repairing
• Wet welding
• Anode replacement
• Non-destructive testing
• Ballast test inspection
• Photography surveys

Dry-docking or UWILD survey are the two most common inspections today. Dry-docking of a ship is a costly and time-consuming method therefore it is better to conduct an underwater inspection for the large vessels.

5 Reasons to Spend Leftover Underwater Survey Inspection Budget

1. General underwater inspection
2. Pre-sale inspection or pre/post charter inspection
3. Inspection before dry-docking
4. Removing the unwanted species
5. Economically beneficial

General underwater inspection

The divers mainly focus on analysing the vessel’s structural integrity in the general underwater inspection method. The divers try to check whether there are any damages to hull plates, check the fouling on hull surfaces, roughness on the propellers, rudders, any leakage, cracks on the propeller and cracks on the propeller. A simple and general inspection is conducted to check the condition of the parts of the vessel.

Pre-sale inspection or pre/post charter inspection

When the inspection is done for providing a detailed report as classification societies and insurance company requirements for their own use, such inspection is called pre-sale inspection. It can also be conducted for the buyer before purchasing the ship to know the condition of the vessel. It is crucial for the operation to inspect the detailed report of the vessel before and after it is given for lease.

Inspection before dry-docking

Since dry-docking is considered an expensive and time-consuming method, it is better to conduct an inspection before dry-docking since it saves precious time for divers and shipowners as well. Damages can be identified and can be repaired before dry-docking which save time.

Removing the unwanted species

Unwanted species get attached to the ship while sailing especially in the bottom parts, therefore it is advisable to practise inspection for them to ensure a smooth surface for safety purposes and also for the reduction of future maintenance costs.

Economically beneficial

Conduct underwater inspection is always beneficial for shipowners. Since it minimises the future maintenance cost and repairing of the ship can be done after every inspection. Due to underwater inspection, the condition of the ship is maintained that ensure less consumption of fuel and enhance the speed of the vessel.

Many ships repair and maintenance companies promise to deliver services without harming the environment and giving quality services. They conduct such services by using the latest technology and kit at a cost-effective price so that future repairing be minimal. The inspection methods require the installation of CCTV fitting so that with the help of photography, the shipowner can determine the condition of the vessel. Videography is another option available for better understanding.

Conclusion

The article explains the method and the need of the underwater inspection, why underwater inspection is beneficial and also states the reasons why shipowner should invest on it.