Surveys

Keeping your personnel and passengers safe

We survey every kind of vessel, and offer four survey types:

Thermographic and acoustic surveys

Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) is the industry regulation in place to protect anyone aboard vessels the world over. Within this regulation our surveys cover fire protection.

Thermographic surveys determine fire risks aboard; checking that the temperature levels of components are below the flammable fluid combustion point and looking at temperatures of engines, electric boards and motors to find points of heat. Thermal surveys detect poor, damaged or missing areas of insulation, electrical, heating and refrigeration issues. We also identify class issues that represent a risk to the ship. We can fit the necessary custom insulation following a review of the surveys.

A Thermographic inspection in way of SOLAS in machinery spaces will usually takes a 1 or 2 days. Following the inspection our Thermographer writes a detailed report, identifying any issues with proposed actions, this will include a cost to resolve any concerns. The full process can take between one and two weeks.

Asbestos surveys

Usually incorporated into IHM surveys, however current legislation stipulates that vessels less than 500 Gross Tonnes require an asbestos survey only. We use a trusted, Lloyd’s registered partner company to survey asbestos and samples are taken to an approved laboratory for testing and analysis.

Two types of surveys are offered:

A Management Survey, which is a non-intrusive survey inspection and equips the discerning ship owner with the necessary information to produce a management plan – this is a legal obligation.

The second type of survey is used for ship scrapping or major refurbishment projects. All areas are intrusively inspected to reduce the risk of exposure to workers; these surveys would typically be carried out as part of the IHM.

Inventory of Hazardous Material (IHM) surveys

Part 1 – Existing ships. A survey and documentation to aid the management and maintenance of hazardous materials in a ship’s life, occurring every five years.

The IHM ensures hazardous materials on board are kept in an environmentally sound condition throughout their lifespan, improving their control and management.

Part 2 – A survey to review and confirm hazardous materials and their safe removal prior to the recycling of ship.

After identification, the IHM acts as a management tool for the potential hazards in use and at recycling, improving environmental and pollution management.

IHM is a thorough visual inspection and analysis of acquired samples. Monitored substances in the ship’s structure and equipment can include: Asbestos, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS), anti-fouling, paints and coatings and other potentially harmful chemicals and heavy metals.

Samples that are collected following an IHM survey and inspection are sent to a laboratory for analysis and a thorough inventory document is written up. This is completed in two to three weeks.

An IHM Survey can be carried out at any stage of a ship’s life-cycle, together with re-inspection surveys when required.

Inspection surveys

The necessary inspection of an area in order to carry out outfitting or insulation works as specified by the client.

We do not carry out structural surveys.

We are ISO 17020 accredited and work to UKAS, MCA, DNVGL, Lloyd’s register, MED and Defence standards, incorporating all class standards when required.
Thermographic surveys are carried out by an Infrared Thermography-certified and experienced Thermal Surveyor of ships. The IHM survey is marine-approved through classification societies and carried out by our skilled Surveyors.