Remote controlled helicopter to inspect cargo holds

Also under development is a remote-controlled light, climbing crawler which, using magnetic wheels, is capable of quickly climbing the steel plate inside the cargo hold and carrying out a close-up, video-tape survey of the condition of the structure. Another part of the project involves the development of a heavy (about 50kg) crawler equipped with an arm for carrying out ultrasonic thickness measurements (UTM).

Alessia Vergine, RINA’s head of basic & applied research (marine division) in Genoa explains: “The use of remote-controlled technology has a number of advantages for the shipping industry. One of the most important benefits it brings is an improvement in safety. By introducing such innovative surveying techniques, we are able to limit the number of potentially dangerous duties which surveyors are required to undertake. There is also a significant potential reduction in costs – such as those for scaffolding and cherry-pickers – and time.”