KR conducts first drone and crawler hull survey without scaffoldsKR conducts first drone and crawler hull survey without scaffolds
The Korean Register (KR) has completed its first remote hull inspection survey using a drone and crawler without scaffolds.

The remote inspection technology was used for the intermediate survey of bulk carrier Pan Global and was completed with the assistance of POSSM, Korea’s largest shipmanagement firm and HST Technology which provided the equipment.
Since the launch of the service, KR has increased the range of inspection tools used, offering customers a more efficient and safer inspection service, which complements the traditional ship survey system and meets industry requirements.
Ship surveys usually involve a ‘close-up survey’ and a ‘thickness measurement’ of the hull structures. But to complete the process, surveyors must climb scaffolding.
It has been possible to use drones to inspect the highest places, but a scaffold has still been required in order to complete the thickness measurement assessment, making the service inconvenient for shipowners. But now using a crawler, it is possible to measure the thickness of the hull at any point no matter how high, without scaffolding, making drone surveys far more practical and profitable.
“Remote inspection technology using such devices as drones and crawlers offer ship surveyors an exceptional decision-making tool, ensuring that the survey quality is equal to or higher than, that of a direct inspection,” said Yoon Boo-geun, evp, KR survey division.
KR’s surveyors have been using remote inspection technology such as drones for surveys since 2017.
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