We deliver in-service hull inspections and condition surveys using our deck-launched ORCA, providing accurate condition assessments above and below the waterline while vessels remain in service, supporting improved availability and reducing the need for dry-docking.
Following a comprehensive programme of engineering development, testing, and industry engagement, ORCA is now available to the wider marine and offshore market.
The system represents a significant advancement in in-water inspection, combining high-accuracy wall thickness measurement and condition data with efficient, low-risk deployment.
ORCA is underpinned by TSC Subsea’s proprietary Acoustic Resonance Technology (ART), which has received validation from Lloyd’s Register for the application of quantitative Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement (UTM) for both internal and external corrosion defects in ship hull carbon steel plate through coating.
The system has also undergone extensive industry engagement, including demonstrations with international naval stakeholders focused on reducing dry-docking requirements and improving vessel availability, as well as a successful in-water inspection of an FPSO hull.
Its omnidirectional drive system provides high levels of coverage and manoeuvrability, reducing the number of deployments required to inspect large or complex areas efficiently.
Client Benefits of ORCA & TSC Subsea’s Hull Inspection Service:
In-Service Hull Inspection Without Downtime
- ORCA enables full hull integrity assessments while vessels remain operational at sea, removing the need for dry-docking, minimising production disruption, and improving operational availability.
Diverless, Deck-Launched Deployment
- The crawler is deployed directly from the deck, improving safety and reducing inspection costs by removing the requirement for divers, ROVs, or dedicated support vessels.
Sub-Millimetre Accuracy Through Coatings
- Powered by proprietary ART, ORCA delivers wall thickness measurements with ±0.22 mm accuracy through marine paint and protective coating systems, eliminating the need for coating removal.
Improved Maintenance Planning and RBI Confidence
- Reliable, repeatable inspection data supports risk-based inspection (RBI) programmes and enables more effective maintenance planning and integrity management.
ORCA has been developed to address key challenges faced by FPSO operators and vessel owners, including dry-dock dependency, diver exposure, access limitations, and inconsistent data quality from traditional inspection methods. By delivering high-quality data suitable for risk-based inspection (RBI) programmes, ORCA supports more informed integrity management decisions.
ORCA is now available for commercial deployment worldwide across naval, commercial shipping, and offshore production assets.
