ROV Marine Class Inspection

Our Marine Class department was formed through the amalgamation of Geo Oceans’ ROV specialists and Vertech Group’s industry-leading Marine Class team to form a single, cohesive unit that prides itself on its pro-active, solutions-based approach. We specialise in statutory inspections for the classification of ships and offshore floating structures and subsea inspections using the latest ROV technology, proprietary inspection tools, and cutting-edge software solutions.

Our team can provide unmanned ROV, RDVI, drone, or robotic crawler inspection services to complete hull UWILD, In-Water Survey, mooring chains, riser, and tank inspections. The Asset Deployed ROVs can be deployed for underwater Class inspections of oil and gas industry Mobile Offshore Drilling Units (MODU), Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO), and FSO vessels and platform jacket structures.

Our project managers, ROV teams, and asset inspectors work with clients to perform subsea inspection campaigns tailored to suit the specific class requirements and facility needs using our proprietary Class Survey System (CSS).

Pushing the boundaries in innovation is our ‘link-to-shore’ capability which allows clients to see the inspection in real-time. This not only gives the client a completely new understanding of the work we do, but it also keeps them much more involved. Our survey planning process is continually refined to help our clients streamline operations and is a key factor in obtaining the most favorable conditions. If weather or SIMOPS should prove an issue, our team is trained to quickly adapt, being able to perform tank and other onboard inspections to remain useful and utilised during delays.

Asset Deployed ROV systems are designed to eliminate or largely reduce downtime on subsea inspection campaigns to target ‘Zero Downtime’. Each system is designed to optimise the in-water operating limits and the multidisciplined ROV inspection teams can be qualified to perform fallback works such as Rope Access, topside NDT, RDVI, or internal ROV water ballast tank inspections.

The benefits of our Asset Deployed ROV inspection system include:
  • Eliminates the need for support vessels
  • Rapid and low cost mobilization by air freight anywhere in the world
  • Subsea conventional and advanced NDT
  • Specialist cleaning capability for hulls, chains, risers and water ballast tanks
  • Removes the need for divers and dive support vessels
  • Eliminates manned entry into confined spaces
  • Zero or reduced downtime - optimizing operating limits
  • No requirement to dewater ballast tanks
  • Improved data quality and repeatability with HD video and other data recorded in Digital Edge System
  • Significant reduction in carbon emissions

Hull and Mooring In-Water UWILD

Using Mini-ROV CSS technology we are able to conduct accredited UWILD inspections to satisfy Class inspection requirements. Inspection surveys are tailored to the individual assets, considering the age of the facility and the condition of the vessel being inspected. The survey can be broken down into overall visual status check requirements also known as General Visual Inspections and Close Visual Inspections. These visual status checks are supplemented with CP, UTMs, and other NDT tools. 

All hull penetrations and their markings can undergo a visual status check. Cleaning of marine growth may be necessary. Where safe access permits, the valves can be inspected with a small probe camera and lights, these valves can then be actuated to check if they are in good working order. Caisson strainer rings and baskets can be inspected for damage and blockage as well.

The riser, turret, and moorings of a vessel (RTM) can be inspected by deploying an ROV from the facility, eliminating the need for a support vessel operating inside the exclusion zone. All associated attachments, connections, and appurtenances can be inspected at their interface with the RTM.

Water Ballast and Cot Tanks

Utilising advanced ROV inspection technologies and CVI methods we conduct tank inspections with attending Class surveyors to meet the specific Class requirements of each asset. 

Thickness Measurement location sketches can be provided detailing the areas of the test for each structure requiring UTM. All UTM readings are recorded on the Relevant Thickness Measurement Sheets (TM1 – TM8) in accordance with the requirements of the Classification society. All UTM readings wastage allowances are automatically calculated in the TM Sheet Template.

Drawing on our extensive and successful track record in Ballast and Cot tank inspections, as well as ongoing maintenance works, Geo Oceans uses our specialised suite of data and document management tools to support project delivery through every stage of the project management lifecycle.