Port and Harbour Asset Inspection
Inspect port assets without closing the berth or putting anyone in the water
Quay walls, piles, fenders, outfalls and the seabed in a berth pocket all deteriorate out of sight, and the traditional ways of looking at them mean divers, closures or both. Our ROV port asset inspections give harbour authorities and port operators a clear, recorded view of the condition of their infrastructure from the quayside or a small workboat, with sonar to find and measure what the water is too silty to show, and a report the maintenance plan can be built on. Nobody enters the water and operations carry on around the work.
What we inspect in a port or harbour
- Quay walls and sheet piling: general and close visual inspection for corrosion, coating breakdown, cracking, spalling and loss of section.
- Piles, jetties and dolphins: condition of the piles, bracing and connections, marine growth and the splash zone.
- Fenders, ladders and mooring fittings: damage, missing components and wear at the waterline and below.
- Berth pockets and the seabed: scour at the toe of the wall, siltation, debris, dropped objects and anything that could foul a vessel or a propeller.
- Outfalls, intakes, culverts and slipways: blockages, marine growth and structural condition, without draining or closing them.
- Vessels alongside: hull, propeller, rudder and sea chest inspection in lieu of dry docking, covered on our UWILD page.
How a port inspection runs
We work from the quayside or a small workboat with a compact observation-class ROV, typically a VideoRay Mission Specialist Defender, fitted with high-definition cameras, imaging sonar, an altimeter and, where needed, manipulators. Harbour water is often silty, so the sonar does the finding and the measuring and the camera records the detail once the vehicle is close.
The system mobilises in hours, needs no crane or support vessel and can be flown in and out between vessel movements, so the berth stays open. Semi-autonomous grid searches cover a berth pocket or an approach systematically and prove what has and has not been found.
What you get back
- High-definition video and stills of every structure inspected
- Sonar imagery of walls, piles and the seabed, with debris and scour positioned
- Anomaly log with positions, measurements and supporting imagery
- A report written for maintenance planning and for comparison against the next inspection
Harbour and inland work we have done
A former activity centre quarry being prepared for underwater research was littered with an estimated 150 to 200 soft lines tied to concrete-filled barrels at depths of up to 80 metres, in low visibility. Using a Defender with sonar, an altimeter and manipulators we found, cut and removed 208 lines across two zones, relocated a freediving platform that had become a hazard, and proved the clearance with semi-autonomous grid searches, with nobody in the water. The same approach, sonar to find, camera to confirm, grid searches to prove, is how we clear and inspect berths, approaches and harbour basins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about port asset inspection by ROV
Straight answers on visibility, divers and what the report contains.
Can you inspect a quay wall in poor visibility?
Yes. Imaging sonar finds and measures the structure, the seabed and any debris when the water is too silty for a camera, and the high-definition camera records the detail once the ROV is close. We cleared 208 lines from a quarry at up to 75 metres in low visibility this way.
Do you need divers?
No. Every inspection, measurement and clearance is done by ROV, so nobody is in the water near walls, props or debris.
What does the report contain?
Video and stills of every structure, sonar imagery with debris and scour positioned, an anomaly log with positions and measurements, and written findings with recommended next steps so the next inspection can be compared against this one.
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 ROV inspection of quay walls, piles, outfalls and berth pockets, run from the quayside with no divers in the water.