Offshore Wind Farm Inspection
Subsea inspection of wind farm structures, from a CTV, without divers
Offshore wind operators are under steady pressure to inspect ageing assets more often, more efficiently and more safely. We inspect monopiles, transition pieces, jacket structures, offshore substations, cable protection systems and sacrificial anodes with compact observation-class ROVs that deploy from a standard crew transfer vessel deck. The team plans each dive around the tide, measures what matters at depth, and reports every asset separately with video, sonar and survey files, so the operator gets a baseline per structure and a short list of items to plan maintenance around.
What we inspect at a wind farm
- Monopiles and transition pieces: general and close visual inspection, marine growth thickness measured at several depths, scour assessment around the monopile and cable entry.
- Jacket structures and offshore substations: every face, leg and node, cable risers, J-tubes, welded connections and boat landings.
- Cable protection systems: the full run from the bellmouth to the burial point, with exposed cable, misalignment and rock bag condition measured and positioned.
- Cathodic protection: anode condition and potential readings down each leg, confirming the corrosion protection is doing its job.
- Seabed: scour, debris and dropped objects around each structure.
How a wind farm campaign runs
We mobilise the Ocean Modules V8 M500, a compact, all-electric observation-class ROV with vectored thrust, full HD imaging and a 500 metre depth rating, onto a standard crew transfer vessel. It sets up in hours rather than days, needs no containerised spread, support vessel or platform crane, and is small enough to work in close to jacket legs, risers and J-tubes where larger systems struggle for access.
Strong tides are planned around rather than fought. The vessel ties off on the boat landing for each face of the structure and the ROV works methodically around the jacket during slack water windows, recovering when the tide builds and completing full faces, legs and risers in a single dive on better days. Each working day closes with a Daily Progress Report covering hours, scope progress, anomalies and CP data, so the client sees the campaign as it happens.
What you get back
- High-definition video and stills of every asset, reported separately
- Imaging sonar data and survey files per structure
- Marine growth thickness and anode potential readings at depth
- Scour assessment around every monopile and cable inlet
- Anomaly logs with positions, lengths and supporting imagery
- Daily progress reports during the campaign and a final report built from the daily record
Wind farm inspections we have done
At an operating wind farm we inspected eight wind turbine generators and the offshore substation with the V8 M500, measuring marine growth thickness and anode potentials at depth and assessing scour around every monopile and cable inlet. No major defects were found and every anode reading fell within the acceptable range, which gave the operator a baseline for each asset.
Off the North Wales coast we inspected two offshore substation platforms from a crew transfer vessel over nine days, mobilisation to demobilisation, covering every jacket face, leg and node, the cable risers and J-tubes, and full cathodic protection profiles down each leg. Both platforms were completed inside the planned window with no divers in the water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about offshore wind inspection by ROV
Straight answers on what an ROV campaign covers, how it runs from a CTV and what you receive.
Can you inspect offshore wind structures from a crew transfer vessel?
Yes. The V8 M500 deploys from a standard CTV deck, so there is no need for a larger vessel or a containerised ROV spread. The vessel ties off at the boat landing for each face of the structure while the ROV works around the jacket or monopile.
How long does a subsea inspection of a wind farm structure take?
It depends on the structure, the scope and the tide. As a guide, two offshore substation platforms were inspected in full, including CP profiles down every leg, in nine days from mobilisation to demobilisation.
Do you measure cathodic protection and marine growth, or just look?
We measure. Anode potentials are read at a range of depths to confirm the corrosion protection is working, and marine growth thickness is measured at several depths on the structure so the hydrodynamic loading can be assessed rather than guessed.
Can you inspect cable protection systems as part of the campaign?
Yes. We survey the full CPS run from the bellmouth to the burial point by HD video and imaging sonar, logging exposed cable, misalignment and rock bag condition with positions and measurements. See our cable protection system inspection service for the detail.
Why work with us?
Expert Underwater Inspection Solutions You Can Rely On
Explore the benefits of working with Atlantas Marine for your inspection needs—leveraging advanced ROV technology, industry expertise, and comprehensive services to deliver accurate, efficient, and safe inspections for assets across various marine sectors.
We're fully self-sufficient. No support vessel or platform crane needed.
Our inspections are platform-launched, meaning we mobilise and operate directly from the asset being inspected, no support vessel required. That removes one of the highest costs and scheduling dependencies in a conventional photogrammetry programme.
We bring everything needed to run the operation. Our team arrives with a custom-built pressurised habitat and a PortaLARS system, so no platform crane is required. Bed space for three people is all we need from you.
This allows us to conduct thorough inspections of critical infrastructure, such as pipelines, offshore platforms, and subsea cables, ensuring the highest level of accuracy.
All we need from the platform:
- Beds for 3 personnel
- Food and drinking water
- Power supply
- Water supply for the CaviBlaster
Everything else, we bring.
Advanced ROV Technology
Atlantas Marine uses state-of-the-art ROVs equipped with high-definition cameras, advanced sonar systems, and precision manipulators to perform comprehensive underwater inspections. Our ROVs can capture real-time data with exceptional clarity, providing detailed imagery and 3D mapping, even in challenging underwater conditions.
This allows us to conduct thorough inspections of critical infrastructure, such as pipelines, offshore platforms, and subsea cables, ensuring the highest level of accuracy.
Increased Safety
By utilising ROVs for inspections, we eliminate the risks associated with using human divers in hazardous environments. Our ROVs can operate at depths and in conditions that are dangerous or inaccessible to divers, including high-pressure, low-visibility, and contaminated water environments.
This ensures that inspections are carried out safely, without compromising on quality, and reduces the risks to human life.
Comprehensive Reporting
Our inspection services come with detailed, actionable reports that provide a full overview of the findings. These reports include high-resolution images, video footage, and 3D models, as well as data from sonar systems and other sensors. With clear insights and recommendations, we help clients make informed decisions about repairs, maintenance, and compliance.
The comprehensive nature of our reporting ensures that no detail is missed and that clients have all the information they need.
Expertise Across Sectors
With experience spanning multiple sectors—including oil & gas, offshore renewables, marine research, and environmental monitoring—Atlantas Marine understands the unique challenges and requirements of each industry. Our expertise allows us to tailor our inspection services to meet the specific needs of your sector, ensuring that we provide relevant, industry-specific insights.
Whether it’s inspecting offshore wind turbine foundations or subsea pipelines, we deliver services that align with your operational goals.
Cost-Effective Solutions
Our ROV-based inspection services are a cost-effective alternative to traditional diver-led inspections. By using advanced technology, we reduce the need for manual intervention, lowering labor costs and minimising the risk of human error. Additionally, our efficient inspections mean faster results, saving both time and money while delivering high-quality data.
This approach is ideal for clients looking to optimise their operational budgets without compromising on the quality of their inspections.
Global Reach
Atlantas Marine provides inspection services worldwide, offering flexible support no matter where your project is located. Whether it’s a deep-sea exploration in remote waters or an offshore energy inspection near coastal regions, our team is equipped to handle projects on a global scale.
Our ability to mobilise quickly and efficiently ensures that we can support clients across multiple regions, helping you maintain the safety and integrity of your underwater assets, wherever they are.
Experienced Team
Our team of highly trained and certified ROV operators, engineers, and marine professionals bring decades of combined experience to every project. With extensive expertise in underwater inspections, our team is well-equipped to manage complex and challenging inspection tasks.
From planning and executing the mission to interpreting the data, our team ensures the highest level of professionalism, precision, and safety throughout the entire process.
Regulatory Compliance
Our inspection services are conducted in full compliance with local and international regulations and industry standards. We stay up to date with the latest guidelines from regulatory bodies such as the International Maritime Organization (IMO), ensuring that our services meet the required safety, environmental, and operational standards.
This means that clients can trust us to help them stay compliant, avoid penalties, and meet the necessary legal requirements for their underwater assets.
Speak to our team about an offshore wind farm inspection run from a CTV, with measured data for every structure and no divers in the water.