Drone Assisted Survey Enables Monitoring from A Safe Distance

A recent marine case study published in Lloyd’s Register explains its drone-assisted survey of CSL’s vessel. Bulk cargo carrier operator, CSL uses drone technology to improve safety and reduce costs.

Bulk carriers due for close-up survey 

CSL’s self-unloading bulk carriers were due to a close-up survey as part of its intermediate survey. 

The client was not due to go to dry dock until 2021 but LR’s surveyors needed access to the cargo holds, usually requiring a cherry-picker or scaffolding and staging. 

This disrupts business operations and has inherent safety implications for the surveyors such as working from height and enclosed space entry.

LR’s technical expertise

LR’s technical expertise along with drone technology conducted a close-up survey of CSL’s vessel, keeping it on the water so it had a limited impact on its operations and resources, saving the customer time and money.

Having an LR-approved drone operator onboard, in partnership with LR’s surveyor, the drone’s accessibility was used to examine ‘hard to reach areas’ of the vessel whilst still retaining the arm’s length requirement of a close-up survey. 

The drone was able to capture high-quality imagery, directed by the drone operator, to complete the visual inspection without the need to set foot off the deck.

Drone-assisted class survey

CSL was provided with an LR approved list of drone operators to choose from and worked closely with our Classification Committee and the Bahamas Flag to get approval to carry out a drone-assisted class survey.

There are some elements of a close-up inspection which still currently require manual intervention, such as thickness measurement. For this survey, it was possible to take readings from areas that were more easily accessible by ladder, or from the bottom section of the hull.

LR’s surveyors and Remote surveys

While remote surveys aren’t always the answer to everything, they can ensure that there are fewer attendances on a vessel and a reduction in the number of interventions that may be required throughout the year. This is a huge advantage for owners and operators and has significant benefits for LR’s surveyors.

Benefits of drone-assisted survey

• A drone-assisted survey is quick.
• Avoided the need for expensive scaffolding and staging.
• CSL’s self-unloader was back in operation in record time. 
• Enabled LR’s surveyor to assess the asset’s condition from a safe distance.

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Source: LloydsRegister

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