As an alternative to deploying a diver, North Sea Port has conducted a quay inspection test in Terneuzen, the Netherlands, using an underwater robot. Using a robot means there is no diver at risk while ships can continue to sail in and out as usual.
The test with the high-tech robot from Asset.Insight took place on Wednesday 26 June. It is equipped with various sensors, including ultrasonic, laser, PEC, sonar and a high-resolution camera. The robot is capable of taking precise measurements that are displayed on a dashboard.
'The chance to gain insight into the thickness of the quay walls, cracks and structural defects – without interrupting shipping traffic – is a valuable reason to try out this innovative quay inspection method,' explains Jan Lagasse, CEO of North Sea Port.
Managing Quay-related Risks
Quays are subject to continuous wear and tear from propeller movements and ships turning around. Repairing and restoring quays is often an expensive undertaking. For that reason, timely insight into the condition of the quays and detecting potential cracks before they occur is important.
