Introduction and Remote Inspections

Highlights

• Key terms are introduced, covering instrumented hulls, hull monitoring, digital twins, decision-making and actions, remote and automated inspections, and financial and safety benefits.
• Traditional inspections by classification societies are described as requiring surveyors to board and enter voids and tanks, with the work presented as tedious, dangerous, and expensive.
• Costs are attributed to the time allocated to surveys, possible delays at the port, and surveyors' travel expenses.
• Special surveys are carried out every five years, together with intermediate surveys and less formal condition surveys requested by the owner or the charterer.
• Remote surveys are defined as surveys conducted from an office, with trained personnel on board, and with some inspections possible while the ship is at sea.