Underwater Inspections in lieu of Dry Dock (UWILD)
ECA GROUP has designed a specific ROV solution to meet 100% of hull examination requirements specified by international classification societies (IACS) such as ABS, DNV-GL and Lloyds.
This solution is by far more efficient than traditional UWILD methods:
Type of interventions:
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DRAWBACKS OF TRADITIONAL UWILD METHODS
DIVERS
TRADITIONAL INSPECTION OR WORK CLASS ROV’S
MAGNETIC CRAWLERS
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THE ROVING BAT SOLUTION
ROVING BAT has been specifically designed to operate on ship hulls -
HYBRID VEHICLE
MODULAR VEHICLE
ADVANTAGES COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL UWILD SOLUTIONS
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ABS REQUIREMENTS FOR HULL IN WATER INSPECTION
- General examination of 100% of underwater hull
- Including rudders, propellers, propeller shaft clearances
- Close visual examination of critical areas
- Corrosion protection potentials check and anode survey
- Splash zone examination
ABS REQUIREMENTS FOR HULL IN WATER MEASUREMENTS
Cathodic protection and hull thickness measurements
The Roving Bat solution: a NDT Unit installed at the back of vehicle, and operated via a finger guide system; it incorporates: - a cathodic protection measurement probe - a metal thickness measurement probe |
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ABS REQUIREMENTS FOR HULL IN WATER CLEANING
Spot cleaning or extensive cleaning
The ROVING BAT solution for cleaning: Alternative A: JETTING System The ROV incorporates a stainless steel cleaning nozzle installed on the manipulator arm aside a micro colour video camera |
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Alternative B: Double dome Cavitation system
The ROVING BAT can be equipped with a high-pressure water power unit generating cavitation at the end of proprietary nozzles. The system cleans the hull using the energy released by the implosion of the bubbles during the cavitation process, causing marine growth to be removed from the surface. Each dome incorporates three rotation nozzles, which besides cleaning, creates a vortex effect, hence increases the ROV adherence to the hull. |
ABS RECOMMENDATIONS FOR A LEADING EDGE ROV
ROV tools
Class and owner witnesses stay on shore
Identifies areas that require cleaning or further examination
Cleans areas, measures and evaluates new readings
Produces simple graphical result or model, identifying amount of -
- Eddy current inspection
- Alternating current field measurement
- Ultrasonic shear wave, phased array and thickness testing
- Crawlers
- Pencil cameras
Class and owner witnesses stay on shore
Identifies areas that require cleaning or further examination
Cleans areas, measures and evaluates new readings
Produces simple graphical result or model, identifying amount of -
- Wastage
- Erosion
- Physical damage
This is a short video of the Roving Bat in action, completing a general visual inspection, a close visual inspection, cathodic protection reading as well as a metal thickness reading with an NDT probe. The Roving Bat ROV can work in oceanic conditions that would prove impossible for commercial divers or other ROVs.
Recommended UWILD ROVs
ECA Roving BAT ROV
100m rated ROV/Crawler Hybrid for inspections of Hulls, structures and FPSO |
ECA Roving BAT mkII ROV
100m rated ROV/Crawler Hybrid for inspection, measurement, and cleaning of Hulls, structures and FPSO |