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# What Exactly Is a Maritime Drone?
The term "maritime drone" generally refers to remotely controlled tools utilized in the maritime sector. It’s a broad category that encompasses both unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely operated underwater vehicles that can traverse aquatic environments. While maritime drones can serve both air and water-based functions, this article will primarily focus on their airborne applications, which are more commonly seen.
Maritime drones are becoming increasingly popular, with recent developments showing their importance. For instance, in 2021, the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) signed a €30 million contract with TEKEVER for aerial surveillance across European waters. This underscores the growing reliance on drones for maritime oversight.
Drones are highly adaptable tools that can be customized for a variety of applications, leading to an uptick in marine drone services worldwide. Embracing maritime drone technology represents a significant leap forward, and it’s likely that international agencies beyond the EMSA will soon adopt drones into their fleets.
## What Are Maritime Drones Used For?
Maritime drones are deployed in environments that are often confined, difficult to navigate, and risky for human intervention. They also expedite the inspection process, reducing the time and resources needed for assessing and monitoring conditions in unknown settings.
Let’s explore some of the key uses:
### Cargo Hold Inspections
The interiors of cargo holds are typically not ideal for human presence due to the potential for contamination. Many ships fail inspections due to residual residues, peeling paint, or rust in hard-to-reach areas of the hold. Inspections are critical to ensure the hold is clean and ready for new cargo.
Strict regulations exist for maintaining cargo hold tanks, and even a single grain of contaminant can lead to inspection failure. Common contaminants include peeling paint, rust, cereal, stock feed, grains, feathers, soil, and sand. Accessing these areas is challenging, and sending a crew to inspect such vast spaces is time-consuming and resource-intensive.
Using maritime drones simplifies this process, allowing for quick and thorough inspections. This approach enhances crew safety while minimizing downtime, thus improving overall ship inspection efficiency.
### Engine Room Inspections
In the event of a fire in an engine room, it might be too dangerous for human inspectors to enter. Damaged electrical systems, fuel leaks, compromised structural integrity, and extreme heat pose significant risks.
An indoor maritime drone, like the Elios 3, can be deployed to assess the situation and confirm that the fire has been extinguished. Equipped with advanced capabilities, the drone can operate in extremely high temperatures, providing critical situational awareness.
This capability allows responders to evaluate the ship's condition prior to entry, helping them identify safe zones and target areas for suppression, thereby mitigating any lingering threats.
### Drone Ballast and Fuel Tank Inspection
Inspection of ballast and fuel tanks is inherently dangerous and extraordinarily time-consuming. On certain ships, these inspections can take hundreds of hours. They typically involve both close visual checks and ultrasonic thickness (UT) surveys.
The longer a ship remains out of operation for inspection and subsequent repairs, the greater the drain on resources. Utilizing maritime drones drastically reduces inspection times—by up to 90%. These drones can cover entire surface areas more efficiently and precisely than human-led inspections.
Certain maritime drone services provide both visual and UT data simultaneously, accelerating the collection of essential information for class certifications. Additionally, the efficiency of drones enables more frequent inspections, extending the lifespan of these vital components.
Watch the following video to see the Elios 2 inspecting a ballast tank:
### Port and Ship to Shore Crane Inspection
Maintaining large maritime cranes is costly, labor-intensive, and physically demanding. However, drones have revolutionized the inspection process, making it safer, more efficient, and data-driven. Maintenance teams can identify structural defects and create repair or replacement plans by combining visual inspections with AI-powered software.
Given their size, drones eliminate the need for humans to scale these structures. Like other inspections, integrating maritime drone services allows for more frequent assessments, fostering preventive maintenance and strategic planning.
### Security and Surveillance
Although drones excel in indoor ship inspections, they also play a crucial role in monitoring borders, combating illegal fishing, drug trafficking, human smuggling, and addressing water pollution. Military and border agencies globally utilize drones for national security and military purposes.
With a variety of sensing capabilities and interchangeable payloads, drones can be tailored for diverse maritime applications. For instance, infrared sensors can detect individuals crossing borders at night or engaging in illegal activities. Drones enable extensive border patrols over large areas without placing agents in perilous situations. Expanding patrol ranges, drones safeguard diverse terrains, including vast bodies of water and rugged mountainous regions.
### Maritime Drone Search and Rescue
For years, first responders have relied on drones on land for firefighting and locating missing persons in hazardous scenarios. Deployed faster and at a fraction of the cost of traditional vehicles like helicopters, drones have proven lifesaving.
Until recently, drones weren’t widely used for maritime search and rescue due to challenging weather conditions and technological limitations. However, their track record for saving lives has spurred rapid advancements in search and rescue drone technology.
For instance, lifeguards are testing drones equipped with flotation devices that inflate upon impact. In Australia, two teenage boys were saved when a Ripper Lifesaver drone deployed a life-saving flotation device. Interestingly, the first responders didn’t have to venture into the sea, enhancing safety and reducing resource consumption.
### Drone to Ship Deliveries
Operating ships is expensive, and docking at ports for supplies, documents, or other necessities incurs additional costs. Boat delivery services, though effective, still come with significant price tags.
As drones are already used for land deliveries, it makes perfect sense to leverage them for maritime deliveries in the future. They offer a more affordable and practical solution.
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## Benefits of Using a Maritime Drone
Maritime drones are designed to enhance operational efficiency. Here are some of their key advantages:
- Reduced downtime for ships, cranes, and other critical infrastructure due to prolonged inspection times.
- Elimination of risks to personnel by avoiding exposure to heights, heavy machinery, and hazardous gases.
- Using maritime drones for UT and close visual inspections can cut inspection times from days to hundreds of hours.
- Drone inspections require fewer personnel and resources, significantly lowering expenses.
- Inspections are more detailed and precise, with drones providing data that can serve as long-term records.
- Inspections are conducted more frequently due to the time and cost savings offered by drone technology.
- Maritime drones contribute to securing military bases, ships, and sensitive infrastructure.
- Search and rescue teams can deploy drones to locate missing persons and deliver life-saving equipment, allowing more time for responders to strategize.
- Drone-assisted search and rescue improves response times and minimizes exposure to dangerous conditions.
- Maritime drone deliveries can transport essential documents, medicine, or parts to ships without returning to port.
## Case Studies of Maritime Drone Services
The adoption of drones in the maritime industry is expanding daily, with specialized contractors offering marine drone services for inspections, class surveys, and asset management. A burgeoning area of innovation involves inspecting interior ship components such as ballast and cargo tanks, engine rooms, and more. Here are some case studies showcasing the use of maritime drones.
### Saving 15,000 Hours of Work with a Maritime Drone
**Application:** Special Periodical Inspection of oil tanks in a mid-sized ship
**Mission:** Conduct UT and close visual inspections in the cargo oil tanks (COT) and the transverse bulkheads between each COT
**Results:** The drone eliminated the need for scaffolding, which can take up to 15,000 hours to install and require teams of 10+ people. Instead, the inspection was completed by a pilot and a certified inspector. The maritime drone inspection was approved by the class society.
**Maritime Drone Significance:** This case highlights how maritime drone technology can drastically reduce time and costs for complex ship inspections. The success of this inspection demonstrates the immense potential of drones in the maritime industry.
Read more about this case study of maritime drone inspection of cargo oil tanks.
### Marine Drone Services Save $1 Million for a Hull Inspection
**Application:** Hull inspection for ship class certification
**Mission:** A vessel underwent its class survey, where costs can reach $1 million for larger ships.
**Results:** Using the maritime drone Elios 3 eliminated risks and reduced the workforce by replacing scaffolding or rafting with drones. Since the Elios 3 is a UT drone, it allowed simultaneous close visual inspections and UT surveys.
**Maritime Drone Significance:** Significant cost savings and safety improvements solidify this drone technology as a viable inspection method. The marine drone service provider involved in this project certified their results with the American Bureau of Shipping.
Read the full story on using a maritime drone for a hull inspection.
### Inspecting Oil Tanks on an FPSO with a Marine Drone
**Application:** Inspecting tanks on a floating production, storage, and offloading vessel (FPSO).
**Mission:** Vessels with a crew of 50-70 people require stringent safety and operational standards. A traditional inspection of the oil tanks onboard can take weeks, involving 4-5 rope access technicians working on 2 tanks at a time.
**Results:** TEXO provided their marine drone services for the inspection, requiring just 2 people to complete the task in 4 days compared to the traditional timeframe of 2 weeks.
**Maritime Drone Significance:** The Elios 3 delivered results quickly with minimal labor, keeping personnel safely out of the tanks and away from potential hazards.
Read more about the oil tank inspections on an FPSO with a maritime drone.
### Inspecting 63 Tanks with 2 Elios Drones in 2 Weeks
**Application:** Tank inspections at a rig off the coast of Brazil
**Mission:** Perform 63 tank inspections to ensure no rust, corrosion, or structural damage. Priority was efficiency to reduce the number of People on Board (PoB).
**Results:** Using the Elios 3 drone, the inspections were completed in just 14 days by 2 staff members—compared to the traditional method that would require teams of 3+ people for several months.
**Maritime Drone Significance:** The maritime drones provided a faster inspection method without putting staff in confined spaces or at risk. The minimal crew required optimized PoB during operations.
Learn more about inspecting 63 tanks with drones.
## Types of Maritime Drones
Selecting the right maritime drone depends on whether your intended applications are indoor or outdoor.
### Indoor Maritime Drones
#### Flyability Elios 3
The Elios 3 is engineered to digitize the inaccessible and swiftly transform data into actionable insights. Its spherical design and FlyAware software ensure safe inspections inside ballasts, tanks, cargo holds, engine rooms, and any enclosed structure.
Its dual thermal 4K camera system and 16K lumen dust-proof lighting system help detect cracks, corrosion, and structural issues. The Elios 3 is future-proof with a modular payload bay featuring a dedicated LIDAR port and another for auxiliary payloads. In 2024, the Elios 3's payload portfolio was expanded to include an ultrasonic thickness payload developed in collaboration with Cygnus Instruments. This payload transforms the Elios 3 into a UT drone capable of simultaneous close visual inspections, laser scanning, and UT spot measurements.
Using the Inspector 5.0 inspection software, workers can prioritize maintenance efforts effectively.
**Flyability Elios 3 Specs / Features:**
- **Dual Thermal/ 4K Camera Sensor:** 12 megapixels HD live streaming
- **Lighting:** 16k Lumen dust-proof lighting with oblique lighting
- **Flight Time:** 12 minutes
- **Flight Speed:** Up to 7 m/s
- **Transmission System:** Beyond visual line-of-sight
### Outdoor Maritime Drones
#### DJI Matrice 300 RTK
The Matrice 300 RTK is built to withstand harsh maritime conditions. With an IP45 rating, 6-directional sensing, and self-heating batteries, it thrives in any environment. Its compatibility with a range of Zenmuse and third-party sensors offers flexibility for various inspections.
With a hot-swappable battery system and 55 minutes of flight time, you’ll never run out of power. Aviation-grade situational awareness provides aircraft attitude, altitude, velocity, wind, speed, and wind direction in DJI’s all-new Primary Flight Display.
Learn more about the DJI Matrice 300 RTK.
#### Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100
The Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100 is a versatile helicopter-style drone for civilian and military applications. Its long range, performance, high-tech sensors, and navigation equipment make it ideal for maritime operations.
360° coverage aids in tracking and identifying maritime-based objects and events. The CAMCOPTER S-100 requires only two people to operate and has a small equipment and logistical footprint.
Integrated spotlights and loudspeakers are also available for search and rescue applications.
Schiebel offers a wide range of sensor options, including:
- Electro-Optical / Infrared
- Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
- Laser Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR)
- Signals Intelligence (SIGINT)
- Hyperspectral
Learn more about the Schiebel CAMCOPTER S-100.
#### Maritime Drone Services
In many instances, shipowners opt not to purchase their own drones and instead rely on specialist service providers. In the case of maritime drone services, this includes operators who are UT-certified to gather ultrasonic thickness measurements with UT drones. These services are available globally, with consultants promising significant cost savings, safety enhancements, and improved inspection efficiency.
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Stay tuned for more updates on the evolving world of maritime drones!