DNV GL has completed the first in-water remote ship surveys using a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) in collaboration with VUVI
In-water bottom surveys using ROVs have now been carried out on three separate vessels managed by liner shipping operator Wilson beginning with a survey on the Wilson Fedje in December 2019.
The latest in-water survey was performed in July on another Wilson-managed vessel in Bergen, Norway, with the remote surveyor attending the survey from DNV GL’s DATE (Direct Access To Experts) hub in Piraeus, Greece.
The surveys were conducted in collaboration with VUVI, a Norwegian inspection company certified by DNV GL to perform underwater inspections for ships and offshore platforms using ROVs.
DNV GL CEO Knut Ørbeck-Nilssen said “DNV GL has been carrying out remote surveys since 2018, so this service is an extension of a broad suite of remote services that are already available.”
DNV GL said it recorded a 33% increase in the weekly number of remote surveys conducted compared to pre-pandemic levels. In total, the company has now conducted an estimated 17,400 remote surveys worldwide since 2018 with on average 300 remote surveys being carried out every week.
Mr Ørbeck-Nilssen said the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed DNV GL to scale up the intensity of remote service delivery adding “we are fortunate that our longstanding commitment to digital advancement has meant we are well positioned to respond to the needs of our customers during this difficult time.”
Survey planning and review of hull drawings were completed the day prior to the survey. During the inspection, the surveyor used VUVI’s sonar technology to scan the vessel’s bottom to locate the hull equipment, such as echo sounder sensors; speed log sensors and sea chests, while simultaneously assessing the general condition of the hull.
DNV GL’s data management platform Veracity was used by VUVI, DNV GL and Wilson to ensure secure data transfer when saving and sharing the video stream from the remote survey.
VUVI’s CEO Frode Rødølen said the company has focused on in-water survey of vessels as one of the company’s core services since its founding in 2013.
In 2017 the company received DNV GL certification to perform in-water inspections and was re-audited earlier this year.
Mr Rødølen said “We are proud to have become a trusted partner by DNV GL to perform inspections with our ROV teams, and we are inspired by the fact we contribute in the shaping of the inspection-services for the future.”
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