One of Maersk Oil’s main priorities was to reduce the human risk factors which are presented by rope access, which includes working at height for sustained periods of time as well as working in confined spaces. Inspecting the tank with Cyberhawk’s ROAV allowed Maersk Oil to undertake a quick and safe audit of the tank, in turn allowing them to identify and more efficiently plan for any possible contact based inspections in both this and other tanks.
Using an ROAV, also known as a UAV or drone, for the cargo oil tank inspection also has significant saving potential per tank compared with the traditional method of rope access. This inspection technique can now be applied to all large internal tanks, on vessels such as FPSOs, bulk carriers and tankers.
Cyberhawk mobilised an experienced two-man ROAV team, consisting of an ROAV pilot and inspection engineer. The inspection of the critical components of the tank was completed within a day, in comparison with rope access which would usually take between 3 to 4 days for the same workscope.