Searover Underwater Inspection
Searover uses Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), sonar and visual data to inspect flooded hydropower tunnels. Inspection findings, technical reports and 3D models help plant operators and asset managers plan maintenance.
Searover FAQ: Professional Underwater Asset Management
How does Searover inspect hydropower tunnels without draining the water?
Searover utilizes advanced Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) equipped with specialized navigation and sonar suites. By deploying these compact units directly into the pressurized or flooded environment, we eliminate the need for dewatering. This "wet" inspection approach maintains structural pressure stability and prevents the significant downtime and revenue loss associated with draining a hydropower tunnel.
What kinds of issues can your system detect inside the tunnel, such as cracks, sedimentation, or structural damage?
Our multi-sensor payload identifies a wide range of structural and operational concerns. This includes surface-level cracks, concrete erosion, cavitation damage, and significant sedimentation buildup. Additionally, the system detects debris blockage and structural anomalies that could compromise the integrity of the tunnel lining or flow efficiency.
How accurate is the 3D tunnel map you provide after the operation?
By integrating high-resolution sonar data with precise inertial navigation systems, Searover generates highly accurate 3D digital twins of the tunnel environment. These maps provide millimeter-to-centimeter level precision (depending on water turbidity and flow conditions), allowing asset managers to measure the exact dimensions of anomalies and track structural changes over time.
How long does a typical inspection project take from mobilization to final reporting?
While the duration depends on tunnel length and site complexity, a standard field operation typically lasts between 2 to 5 days. Following the data acquisition, our engineering team processes the raw sonar and visual data to deliver a comprehensive technical report and 3D model within 2 to 4 weeks.
Can our team monitor the inspection in real time during the operation?
Yes. Our control stations provide a live feed of the ROV’s visual and sonar data. This allows your plant managers and engineers to observe critical areas of interest as they are being inspected, facilitating immediate decision-making and ensuring that all high-priority zones are thoroughly documented.
What are the main operational and safety advantages compared to manual tunnel inspection?
The primary advantage is the elimination of human risk; no divers or personnel are required to enter confined, hazardous underwater spaces. Operationally, Searover removes the risk of "pressure shock" or structural collapse often triggered by dewatering. It also ensures the facility remains operational or requires only a minimal stoppage, significantly enhancing O&M safety protocols.
What type of data and deliverables will we receive after the inspection is completed?
Clients receive a detailed Technical Inspection Report, high-definition video footage (where visibility permits), high-resolution sonar imagery, and a georeferenced 3D point cloud or mesh model. These deliverables are designed to be integrated into existing Asset Management Systems for long-term monitoring.
Can Searover be used in different tunnel sizes, geometries, or difficult underwater conditions?
Our fleet is versatile and designed for diverse environments, including long-distance penstocks, surge shafts, and intake tunnels. The ROVs are capable of navigating complex geometries and can operate in conditions with low visibility or moderate flow, where traditional inspection methods would be impossible or too dangerous.
How does this service help us reduce downtime, inspection cost, and production losses?
Traditional inspections require the plant to stop production, drain the tunnel, and perform manual checks—a process that can take weeks. Searover performs inspections while the tunnel is flooded, reducing the outage window by up to 80%. By preventing the loss of power generation (AEP) and avoiding the logistical costs of dewatering, Searover provides a significantly higher ROI.
How do you turn the collected sound and visual data into actionable maintenance or risk-planning insights?
We utilize a dedicated data processing pipeline that categorizes findings based on severity and risk potential. By comparing current data against historical baselines (Trend Analysis), we identify the rate of structural degradation. This allows operators to transition from reactive repairs to Condition-Based Maintenance (CBM), prioritizing interventions where they are most needed to prevent catastrophic failure.
Discuss your underwater inspection needs
Contact the Werover team to discuss your tunnel, site conditions and inspection requirements.
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