Project Completed Under Budget and Ahead of Schedule Using Commercial Divers and ROV Technology
Precision, planning, and safety are essential when conducting underwater inspections at nuclear power facilities. As an experience nuclear diving contractor, Underwater Construction Corporation (UCC) recently completed a comprehensive inspection of a discharge/intake pipe at a North American commercial nuclear power plant, safely finishing the project ahead of schedule and under budget.
The inspection covered more than 600 feet of underwater piping at depths approaching 160 feet. By combining remotely operated vehicle (ROV) technology with the capabilities of experienced commercial divers, UCC delivered a detailed assessment of the critical underwater infrastructure while minimizing operational disruption.
A Challenging Underwater Inspection at a Nuclear Facility
The length and restricted access points within the nuclear facility’s discharge/intake system presented several challenges. A diver-only inspection would have required considerably more dive time, increasing the project duration, personnel exposure, and overall cost.
Some interior portions of the pipe were also difficult to access using conventional diving methods. Protective grating and limited entry points required the project team to carefully coordinate diver activities with the deployment of specialized ROV equipment to ensure maximum safety.
Weather created an additional challenge. Inclement conditions during the project window reduced the number of days available for diving, placing pressure on the schedule. UCC’s integrated approach allowed inspection work to continue with the ROV on days when conditions prevented diving but still permitted safe ROV operations.
Commercial Nuclear Divers and ROV Technology Working Together
UCC developed an inspection strategy that assigned each portion of the work to the resource best suited for it. Commercial divers performed the hands-on work necessary to inspect and address the exterior grating and other accessible components. The ROV was then deployed to conduct an extensive visual inspection of the pipe’s interior, including areas that would have been difficult or disruptive for divers to access.
The ROV provided high-resolution video, giving the project team a detailed view of the pipe’s condition. The technology also enabled the inspection team to evaluate restricted areas without requiring extensive grating removal or additional diver entry.
During diving activities, the ROV supported the operation by observing the work area from a safe distance and transmitting live video to the topside team. This additional perspective improved situational awareness, supported communication, and provided another layer of operational oversight.
Combining the two methods allowed UCC to complete a more comprehensive assessment while reducing the amount of time divers needed to spend in the water. Learn more about our ROV underwater inspection capabilities.
Underwater Nuclear Inspection Completed Ahead of Schedule and Beyond the Original Scope
The efficiency of the combined diver-and-ROV approach enabled UCC to complete the discharge pipe inspection ahead of schedule. The remaining project time was then used to inspect additional underwater areas at the facility and collect valuable condition information beyond the original scope.
The completed inspection provided a level of detail that exceeded what had been obtained during previous diver-only surveys. By accessing restricted areas and capturing detailed visual and sonar data, the ROV helped provide the facility with a more complete understanding of its underwater infrastructure.
Most importantly, the project was completed safely, efficiently, and with minimal impact on facility operations.
An Integrated Approach to Underwater Infrastructure Inspection
ROVs do not replace experienced commercial divers. Instead, they expand the capabilities of the overall inspection team.
When properly integrated into a commercial diving operation, ROV technology can:
- Access areas that are difficult or impractical for divers to reach.
- Reduce unnecessary diver exposure and underwater work time.
- Provide live video and sonar information to the topside team.
- Maintain progress during some weather-related diving delays.
- Improve the quality and completeness of inspection data.
- Reduce project duration and operational disruption.
UCC provides commercial diving, ROV inspection, underwater maintenance, and infrastructure-assessment services for nuclear facilities and other demanding industrial environments. As an experienced nuclear diving contractor, UCC integrates these capabilities to safely inspect, maintain, and assess critical underwater infrastructure.
If your facility is facing a complex underwater inspection or maintenance challenge, contact UCC to discuss how our commercial diving and ROV capabilities can support a safe, efficient, and well-documented solution.