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In-water survey of a ship's underwater hull

Class-society rules permit an in-water survey of the underwater hull using a remotely operated vehicle in lieu of a survey in dry dock. The ship is not taken out of service.

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Regulatory basis

Two independent grounds. First, classification: the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping explicitly provides for ROVs - the Guidelines on Technical Supervision (clause 9.3.3.1) allow an in-water survey in lieu of dry-docking, and activity code 22003000 covers underwater survey by a diver or an ROV. Second, the security regime: Presidential Decree 502 (21.07.2025) and Government Resolution 1867 (25.11.2025) introduced underwater hull inspection for vessels arriving from foreign ports. Terminal operators organise and pay for it, and the rules explicitly allow divers and/or technical means.

Documents
  • Presidential Decree 502 (21.07.2025)
  • Government Resolution 1867 (25.11.2025) - underwater hull inspection
  • Rules for Classification Surveys of Ships in Service (RS)
  • Guidelines on Technical Supervision, clause 9.3.3.1
  • RS activity nomenclature, code 22003000
Assets

What PROMETEY inspects

Underwater hull, outer plating, welded seams
Sea openings and hull valves/fittings
Sea-chest gratings
Underwater parts of the steering gear
Shaft lines, propulsors, thruster units
Sacrificial-anode protection, coating condition
Honest about the limits

Dry-docking = taking the ship out of service + dock costs. An in-water survey avoids both. Scope and procedure are agreed with the RS surveyor before work begins.

Questions

Will the RS surveyor accept the results?

RS rules allow an in-water survey by ROV in lieu of dry-docking (clause 9.3.3.1; code 22003000). Scope is agreed with the surveyor beforehand. Recognition under code 22003000, or working through an accredited partner, is clarified per project.

Does the hull need cleaning first?

Heavy fouling hampers assessment of the plating: if needed, the area is cleaned before inspection, and the procedure is agreed in advance.