Hull inspection tool

Nippon Paint Marine has developed a hull inspection tool that avoids the need for divers or remotely operated vehicles. The underwater inspection of a ship’s hull coating can now be performed by a single inspector on dry land or from a boat. The system uses GoPro camera technology attached to a 10 m telescopic pole to inspect the in-water condition of a vessel’s antifouling paint. A video feed is relayed to the operator’s smartphone for real-time monitoring and recording. The entire set-up can easily be packed into a small case and carried as regular aircraft luggage.