(With link to video) Classification society DNV GL has recently completed the first production surveys using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or drone.
The survey took place on the MV Apollo, a chemical tanker owned by Carl Büttner Shipmanagement GmbH, in Bremerhaven, Germany. Two DNV GL surveyors used the drone to inspect fourteen tanks over a period of two and a half days.
Video: Explore MV Apollo from a drone’s perspective!
Inspecting Ship Tanks and Holds with Drones
The inspection of ship tanks and holds can be a costly, time consuming and potentially dangerous operation. The condition of the coating, corrosion, damages, piping, access points, equipment and safety systems all have to be assessed on a regular basis. Using drones to visually check the condition of remote structural components has the potential to significantly reduce survey times and staging costs, while at the same time improving safety for the surveyors.
DNV GL has now carried out several tests using drones for the inspection of cargo tanks or holds in a large oil tanker, a chemical tanker and a bulk carrier, both in Europe and in China.
Autonomous Drones
In the future it may be possible to use drones that are fully autonomous. A 3D model of a vessel could be loaded into a drone's memory, which could then orientate itself inside the tank and follow a pre-defined route, stopping at points of interest inside the compartment to capture video and still images. The operator could use the camera and lights to document findings, while the drone’s autopilot takes care of the flight.
At some stage, it may be possible to have a drone with its own scanning capabilities. The drone could be dropped into an unknown space, make a scan, create its own 3D map and then proceed to carry out the survey independently.
MOUs and Certification for Drone Operators
Currently, DNV GL is also looking into utilising drones and other alternative means for inspection of MOUs, both for topside and external structure and for internal tank inspections. Another ongoing project is to establish a certification service for external drone operators to qualify to perform inspection work on classed MOUs.
Picture: Using drones to visually check the condition of remote structural components has the potential to significantly reduce survey times and staging costs, while at the same time improving safety for the surveyors.
