NDT Services - Marine Industry

1. Ultrasonic Hull Thickness Measurements

Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement Surveys (U.T.M.) on Ship’s Hull Structures during:

1. 1. Ballast Voyage using Riding Crews
   2. Discharge Turnarounds
   3. Alongside Repair Quays in Ports
   4. Drydocks

• U.T.M. for Owner’s Condition Survey
• Harbour Port Authority Requirements (SAMSA etc.)
• Not for IACS Classification Approval Surveys

2. Steel Condition Assessment

• Renewal planning by indicating condition of steel, highlighting areas of serious
  wastage, fracturing or buckling based on gauging results, visual inspection &
  photography
• Indicating cropping lines for renewal or re-coating and if necessary, calculation of
  steel weights
• Providing draft reports at sea during ballast voyage, thus informing Ship Owner in
  advance, prior to dry-docking or lay-up
• On-board desktop CAD Operators to simultaneously process incoming inspection data
  results on a daily basis ensuring the immediate production & delivery.

3. Riding Crew Welders for Minor Steel Repairs

• We provide qualified “Class-Approved” Welders to carry out weld repairs during
  ballast voyages in order to rectify any outstanding “Condition of Class” items or
  any structures found defective during Close-Up Survey.

4. Bottom Shell Pitting (Tankers)

• Mapping the extent and severity of individual pits by way of systematically
  checking pitting corrosion in each bay.

5. Close-Up Survey (Tankers)

• Visual examination and U.T.M. gauging of ballast tanks carried out during ballast voyage.(See “Ultra-Access”)
• These methods enable safe access to high-level areas of structure.

6. CAD Operators

• Upon request, we can provide an on-board desktop CAD operator as part of our Riding Crew to ensure the
  immediate production & delivery of your inspection report prior to the vessel’s arrival at the destination port
• The CAD operator simultaneously processes incoming inspection data results on a daily basis (ie. Gauging
  spreadsheets, Steel Renewal calculation spreadsheets, incorporating digital photographs as part of your final
  report)

7. Testing Equipment Used

• High-end ultrasonic portable digital gauges
• Portable digital LCD A-Scan ultrasonic flaw detectors are used for verification if required.
• Multiple echo digital gauges provide accurate thickness measurement through paint coatings without chipping or
  damaging the coating.

• Calibration of Anchor Chain Cables
• Links calibrated by vernier calliper means, whilst ranged in Dry Dock.
• Cables in tension are measured by ultrasonic means.
• Captured data shows measured cross-sectional diameters of links in each shackle length, together with their corresponding percentage wastage on a concise spread sheet

1. Wet Magnetic Particle Flaw Detection Testing (M.P.I.)

• Wet magnetic particle testing (fluorescent or colour-contrast) is utilised on carbon steel weld repairs in way of shell insert plate renewals to detect flaws and ultimately certify specific weld repair areas as required by the Classification Society.
• Defective areas are subsequently marked up for repair and final M.P.I. clearance tests are conducted on the repaired re-welded areas.
• On-site M.P.I. testing is carried out using portable AC Electro-Magnet Yokes or DC Permanent Magnet Yokes combined with fluorescent magnetic ink media.

2. Penetrant Testing (P.T.)

• Liquid dye penetrant flaw detection testing (fluorescent or colour-contrast) is utilised on austenitic stainless steel weld repairs in way of chemical tank shell insert plates, to detect flaws and ultimately certify specific weld repair areas as required by the Classification Society.
• Defective areas are subsequently marked up for repair and final P.T. clearance tests are conducted on the repaired re-welded areas.
• On-site P.T. testing is carried out using approved consumables (bulk or aerosol) in either solvent removable or water-washable forms (sulphur – halogen free)
• P.T. testing is carried out in accordance with ISO 3452-1 Specification.

3. Radiographic Testing (R.T.)

• Radiographic testing using X-Rays or Gamma-Rays is utilised on carbon steel or stainless steel weld repairs in way of insert plates, to detect internal flaws if requested by the attending Class Surveyor.
• UltraScan provides professional and accurate radiographic film interpretation and reporting to ensure that the quality of all weld repairs is in accordance with specified acceptance criteria.

4. Ultrasonic Flaw Detection Testing (U.T.)

• Ultrasonic flaw detection testing using a portable digital A-Scan ultrasonic flaw detector is utilised on carbon steel or stainless steel weld repairs in way of insert plates, to detect internal flaws if requested by the attending Class Surveyor.
• Due to modern U.T. technology, this technique is now a popular alternative to radiography as the digital equipment employed can now produce an A-Scan print out, recording flaw indications and providing comprehensive U.T. data (i.e. flaw location and depth).
• Ultrasonic Condition Monitoring (“Fingerprinting”) of Shafts has proved to be a most valuable tool during periodic in-service inspections and engine room lay-ups.

Inspections & Tests can be carried out on various items such as:-

• Propeller blades, VP Propeller Blades, Tailshafts and Rudder Stock.
• Crankshafts Engine Entablatures
• Connecting Rods Piston Crowns
• Boilers Bearings – white metal bonding
• Tie-Rods Turbo Chargers (inlet & outlet casings)
• Cylinder Liners Bull Gears

• Derricks Heel Pins
• Crane Jibs Hooks
• Crane Pedestals Electric Motors

• Friction testing of bearings during running of motors & recording ultrasonic readings for monitoring purposes.

• Internal visual inspection using fibrescopic devices (boroscopes / endoscopes)
• Ultrasonic wall thickness testing
• Eddy-Current Inspection

Riding Crews – Inspection Services:

• Ultrasonic Hull Thickness Measurements (U.T.M. – Gaugings)
• Owner’s Condition Survey
• Preliminary Steel Renewal Assessment & Gauging Survey.
• Photographic and CCTV Surveys
• Non-Destructive Testing (MT / PT / UT / RT)

Riding Crews – Maintenance Services

• Tank Washing & General Cleaning
• High Pressure Water Blasting
• Grit Blasting
• Maintenance & Repairs to Protective Coatings
• Replacement & Welding of Anodes
• General Painting & Refurbishment
• Minor Welding Repairs using Certified Welders

Quality Assurance & Safety

SAFETY IS OUR MAIN PRIORITY

Our Rope Access Division is a member of the South African Industrial Rope Access Association (SAIRAA) and operates & conforms to a clearly defined quality system. All safety & climbing equipment is SABS approved; inspected daily before use; and complies with international safety standards.

Furthermore, our Rope Access Technicians are trained, certified registered with the internationally recognized Industrial Rope Access Trade Association (IRATA), Level III , Level II & Level.