Magnets make hull inspection safer

摘要

Inspection and servicing capabilities for ships' hulls, platforms and large steel structures have been improved by the development of a magnetic crawler. The SteelClimber has been developed as a partnership between its inventor Leif Stana and engineers at the Norwegian firms of Bratberg Producter and Miko Marine. It is capable of carrying a pay-load of up to 200kg and, unlike thruster-driven units, the Steel-Climber does not need to be deployed by a crane and submerged before it can function. The unit can simply be attached to a hull and then driven down the side of the ship and into the water.