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A hard berthing, a grazed quay, a grounding on soft mud or a collision at anchor: any of these can leave damage below the waterline that nobody on board can see. An underwater damage inspection in Nagoya answers the first and most important question: what exactly happened to the Hull?
Tell the owner, the class society and the P&I club as your procedures require. Note the time, position, Draft and weather. Do not allow anyone to clean the area or move the Ship more than necessary until the damage has been recorded. If the vessel is taking water, call emergency services first. Then contact us with the ship's name, IMO number, berth or anchorage position and a short description of the event.
We aim to start within 24 hours of the call, depending on conditions and the ship's position. The Diver moves along the part of the Hull where contact is suspected, using CCTV and photographs. He records every dent, scrape, crack or opening, gives approximate sizes and notes the direction of the damage. A sketch or a marked Hull plan is added to the report.
Where plating is deformed, we measure the depth and length of the dent. Where it is cracked, we record the length and whether the crack runs along a weld or across a plate. Thickness Measurement is taken around the area to check whether the plate has been thinned. Photographs include the surrounding undamaged plating, so the extent of the damage is clear.
The footage and photographs are time-stamped and kept in original form. Class surveyors use them to decide whether repair is needed and what kind. P&I clubs and insurers may need them to assess liability. If a third party is involved, we do not alter or edit the originals, and we hand them to the owner in full.
Many findings turn out to be cosmetic. Others need temporary repair, a repair under class supervision, or a visit to a dry dock. We can describe the options and, if the damage is suitable, carry out the repair afloat. The earlier we see the damage, the sooner the owner can decide, and the less time the ship spends waiting.
While the dive team is on its way, the master can help by keeping the ship's position stable, avoiding unnecessary movements of the propeller and thrusters, and writing a short account of the event. If an underwater leak is suspected, the crew should monitor tank levels and bilge alarms. Photographs of the quay, the fender or the other ship at the point of contact can also be useful, since they show what the Hull may have touched.
After the first report, the surveyor may ask for more detail or a second dive after the repair. We keep the original files and can return to the same positions for comparison.
Q1. How quickly can a damage inspection start?
We aim to start within 24 hours of the call, depending on weather, berth access and the ship’s position.
Q2. What measurements are taken of a dent or crack?
The depth and length of dents, the length and direction of cracks, and Thickness Measurement around the area to check for thinning.
Q3. Should the damaged area be cleaned before the first photographs?
No. The first set of photographs and video should be taken before any cleaning, to preserve evidence. Cleaning comes afterwards if needed.
Q4. Who receives the footage?
The footage and report go to the party who ordered the work, normally the owner or manager, who can then share them with class, the P&I club or insurers.
