Why regularlyInspections are driven by regulation, not by budget
Inspection intervals are set by documents, not by the owner's preference. Hydraulic structures - every 5 years, and since September 2025 this is mandatory for facilities over 25 years old. Underwater gas pipeline crossings under navigable waters - at least every 3 years. Underwater parts of bridge piers - at least every 10 years. Vessels arriving from foreign ports are inspected on call.
Divers are scarce
Qualified divers are in short supply, and an underwater hull inspection can cost hundreds of thousands of roubles or more. In ice conditions diver inspection is sometimes technically impossible - there the vehicle is the only option.
The vehicle does not replace the diver
To be clear: for a formal report on port structures the rules require divers from accredited organisations. The vehicle takes the volume off the diver: pre-survey and area mapping, documentation and less time underwater - and therefore lower cost.