⠿ NDT
(^76) ⠿ MARINE MAINTENANCE TECHNOLOGY INTERNATIONAL | APRIL 2016
TSC has completed its first UWILD inspection in the
Gulf of Mexico with the latest subsea NDT technologies
Corinna Cuciureanu, TSC Inspection Systems
E
nsuring the structural and
operational integrity of a marine
asset often requires an Under Water
Inspection in Lieu of Dry-docking
(UWILD). In the current economic climate,
cost savings are a key driver, but where
safety and structural integrity are of critical
importance, UWILD programs are becoming
more commonplace.
Conducting surveys in situ with divers
or remotely operated underwater vehicles
(ROVs) saves the owners and clients time
and money by reducing downtime, and off-
hire times. It can also reduce or eliminate
the need for expensive dry-docking and
negotiating for a time to do the work.
Classification societies that have
guidelines for UWILD inspection,
maintenance and certification for structures
and vessels include the American Bureau
of Shipping (ABS); Det Norske Veritas –
Germanischer Lloyd (DNV-GL); Bureau
Veritas (BV); and Lloyd’s Register (LR).
Underwater NDT techniques
Various non-destructive test (NDT)
techniques can be used in the UWILD
environment, including magnetic particle
inspection, eddy current techniques and
ultrasonics. TSC Inspection Systems’
Alternating Current Field Measurement
(ACFM) inspection technology has a
well-established track record in subsea
applications and is very adaptable on-site
as a solution that can be deployed by
diver or with a ROV.
As a leading NDT technique, ACFM
has been developed for detection of
surface-breaking defects by applying an
electromagnetic field. Unlike conventional
inspection techniques, ACFM technology
works through paint and coatings, so there
is no requirement to strip away coatings,
further reducing downtime. Requiring
only one pass of the inspection area, ACFM
Underwater inspections
Born to be UWILD