Cspect had a distinguished visitor coming by while performing a subsea ROV inspection of a monopile at an offshore windfarm
Cspect had a distinguished visitor coming by while performing a subsea ROV inspection of a monopile at an offshore windfarm
24/01/2022 - 13:20
Cspect inspected in 2021 over 40 monopiles on multiple ‘offshore windfarms’ off the Belgian coast.
During these inspections we perform checkups of the in- and outside of the monopiles. We use tools like underwater camera’s, ‘multi beam sonars’, cathodic protection meter and other ‘state of the art’ tools. We pay extra attention at the condition of the anodes, cable protection systems, bottom/scour, growth of organisms, …
These inspections are very technical and structured, the inspectors are under a lot of pressure to perform well in difficult conditions.
Today it was extra exciting. We were visited by a curious seal.
The seal, we named him ‘Joe’, has entered the monopile through a ‘refreshment hole’.
Apparently Joe knew exactly what he was doing. He knew there were a lot of delicious snacks to gather on the inside of the structure.
Because of him there was some extra danger though. We’ve shut down the ROV propellers to make sure Joe wasn’t startled. The camera kept filming which resulted in beautiful images.
In the end Joe swam away and Cspect was able to finish a perfect inspection round.
Also Joe had an unforgettable experience.
Great to see that nature and a technical environment can go hand in hand.
