Hull inspection with ROVs: checking the hull without taking the vessel out of service
On Switzerland's lakes, from large passenger boat fleets to private vessels and yachts moored in marinas, periodic hull inspection is as necessary as it is costly. Checking the condition of the hull and identifying corrosion, fouling or propeller damage traditionally requires hauling the vessel out of the water or hiring a diver — two solutions that involve costs, downtime and, in the case of divers, non-negligible operational risk.
The limits of traditional methods
A diver inspection depends on the operator's availability, their time and depth limits, and water visibility, which is often poor near moorings or quaysides. Because of these constraints, inspections tend to be carried out less frequently than would be advisable, allowing minor problems — slight corrosion, fouling, propeller damage — to worsen before being discovered. Hauling the vessel out at a dry dock, for its part, solves the visibility problem but takes the vessel out of service for days, directly affecting the revenue of shipping companies and the availability of private vessels.
The ROV as an inspection tool
A professional ROV allows the hull to be inspected while the vessel remains in the water, with no haul-out and no human diving required. The 360° omnidirectional movement, provided by the 8 vectored-thruster layout of models such as the CHASING M2 S or M2 PRO, allows the vehicle to follow the curved surfaces of the hull closely, get near propellers, rudders and sea intakes, and manoeuvre easily even in tight spaces between the hull and the dock. The 4K, 12-megapixel camera with electronic image stabilisation (EIS), combined with LED lighting of up to 4000 lumens, delivers sharp footage even in murky water, while dedicated accessories such as the laser scaler make it possible to precisely measure the extent of corrosion or damage, and the distance-lock sonar keeps the ROV at a constant distance from the hull for consistent footage throughout the inspection. For companies that require continuous monitoring, the M2 PRO MAX model also offers a built-in docking station, designed for permanent monitoring of hulls or port structures.
The entire operation requires just one operator, takes minutes rather than hours, and requires no diving licence or the organisation of a dive with its associated safety measures.
Concrete applications on Swiss lakes
Lake shipping companies — periodic checks of hull, propellers and sea intakes across passenger boat fleets, in line with the navigation safety requirements set by the relevant authorities, without having to withdraw the vessel from service.
Shipyards and marinas — quick verification of yachts and private vessels in storage or moored, to plan targeted maintenance work instead of generic inspections.
Fouling detection (biofouling) — the growth of algae and organisms on the hull increases drag and fuel consumption: a regular ROV inspection makes it possible to intervene before the problem affects the vessel's efficiency.
Documentation for insurers and authorities — high-definition video footage provides objective evidence of the hull's condition, useful in the event of inspections, disputes or insurance claims.
More frequent, safer and more cost-effective inspections
Replacing — or complementing — traditional underwater inspections with an ROV means being able to check the hull more regularly, without stopping the vessel's activity and without exposing personnel to dives that are not strictly necessary. For shipping companies, shipyards and private owners on Swiss lakes, it is a concrete way to catch problems before they become expensive.