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Not every Hull inspection is for class. Owners and managers often want to know the condition of the underwater body between dockings, before a charter, or after a long stay in warm water. An underwater hull inspection in Nagoya gives that picture without taking the ship out of service.
Our divers check the shell plating, the flat bottom, the bilge keels, the stem and stern, the rudder, the propeller and every underwater opening. We record the coating condition, the amount and type of marine growth, signs of corrosion and any mechanical damage. CCTV is used throughout so the superintendent can watch the dive from his office if he wishes.
Antifouling coatings do not last forever. The inspection shows where the paint is worn, where it has lifted and where bare steel is exposed. Areas around the sea chests, the waterline and the bilge keels tend to suffer first. If we find corrosion, we take Thickness Measurement readings to show how much metal is left. This lets the technical department decide if the next dry-docking can wait.
Damage to the Hull often begins at the weld seams, at the stern frame and near the bow. We look for cracks, pitting, indentations and deformation. Berth contact and tug pushing can leave marks that the crew never saw. Photographs are marked with a scale and position, so the same spot can be compared next year.
An owner's inspection does not replace a class survey. It is a condition check for your own planning and for charter or sale discussions. If the Ship is due a class survey, we can combine the two in one dive, using the same footage and the surveyor's requirements.
The report gives you a plain summary, supported by video and photographs. The technical manager can use it to plan cleaning, anode replacement, coating repairs or a dry-docking date. It is also useful evidence for a charterer who asks about the Hull condition before delivery.
There is no single rule for how often an owner should look at the underwater Hull. Many operators check once a year. Others do it before every long voyage or after a long idle period. Marine growth tends to develop faster in warm water, so a ship that has sat in port or at anchor through the summer deserves an earlier look than one that has been trading steadily.
The best time for an inspection is a normal port call, when the ship is already at the berth and the crew is available. We can often start the dive as soon as cargo work allows and finish before departure. Tell us your next port, your sailing schedule and any concerns about speed loss or fuel use. These details help us focus on the areas most likely to show trouble.
Q1. How long does an owner’s hull inspection take?
A condition inspection of a 180 to 200 m ship usually takes 4 to 8 hours of dive time.
Q2. What does the report include?
CCTV video, scaled photographs, a coating and fouling summary, damage descriptions with position and size, and ultrasonic Thickness Measurement where corrosion is found.
Q3. How often should the underwater Hull be inspected?
Many operators inspect once a year or before key charters. A ship that spends over 30 days idle in warm water should be checked sooner.
Q4. Can the inspection be combined with cleaning?
Yes. Cleaning selected areas first improves visibility and lets the Diver record the true coating condition. It is common to combine the two in one call.
