Underwater Inspection Thailand: Flat Bottom Inspection and UT Measurement at Kerry Siam Sea Port
- MaxiDive
- 5 hours ago
- 4 min read
MaxiDive recently completed a technical underwater flat bottom inspection and ultrasonic thickness measurement operation at Kerry Siam Sea Port, Thailand.
The scope combined underwater visual inspection, HD CCTV monitoring and ultrasonic thickness measurement to assess the condition of selected underwater hull areas while the vessel remained afloat.
For vessel managers and technical teams, this type of inspection provides valuable condition data without immediately requiring dry docking and helps determine whether additional maintenance, engineering assessment or repair planning is necessary.
Why Flat Bottom Inspection Matters
The flat bottom is one of the largest continuously submerged areas of a vessel and can be affected by coating deterioration, mechanical contact, corrosion, marine growth and local structural damage.
A systematic underwater inspection allows the commercial diving team to examine accessible areas of the hull and record the actual underwater condition.
During the operation at Kerry Siam Sea Port, the flat bottom and selected appendage areas were visually examined and documented. The general condition of the inspected bottom plating was found to be satisfactory, while a localized area requiring further technical attention was also identified.
This demonstrates an important advantage of underwater inspection: isolated issues can be detected and documented before maintenance or repair decisions are made.
Underwater Inspection Thailand with HD CCTV and UT Measurement
The underwater inspection Thailand operation was supported by HD CCTV and surface monitoring equipment, allowing the diving team and topside personnel to review the inspection in real time.
Ultrasonic thickness measurement was also carried out at selected locations.
UT measurement provides information about the remaining material thickness of steel plating without requiring the inspected structure to be removed or opened. When combined with underwater visual inspection, the readings provide technical teams with additional information for evaluating structural condition and planning the next stage of maintenance.
For vessel operators, the combination of visual evidence and measurable thickness data is considerably more useful than visual observation alone.
Assessment of Hull and Underwater Appendages
The inspection included examination of the flat bottom as well as selected underwater appendages and fittings.
The diving team checked accessible areas for signs of:
coating deterioration;
structural irregularities;
mechanical damage;
marine growth;
material loss;
condition of visible weld areas;
condition of selected underwater fittings and appendages.
The inspected flat bottom showed no evidence of widespread fouling or generalized contact damage.
A localized condition requiring further assessment was identified and documented, and UT readings were collected to support subsequent technical and repair planning.
No vessel-identifying information is included in this project publication in accordance with MaxiDive's confidentiality requirements.
UT Measurement Supports Better Repair Decisions
Visual inspection can identify the location and appearance of underwater damage, but ultrasonic measurement adds another layer of information.
Thickness readings can help technical departments evaluate whether steel has experienced measurable material loss and whether additional engineering assessment or repair is required.
This is particularly useful when a vessel needs a fast technical evaluation while remaining operational.
Instead of relying only on photographs, the vessel manager receives measurable data that can support communication between the owner, technical department, repair contractor and other relevant stakeholders.
HD CCTV and Technical Documentation
Underwater inspection is not limited to what the commercial diver sees below the waterline.
A properly documented operation creates a technical record of the inspected condition.
MaxiDive uses underwater CCTV and surface monitoring systems to support inspection operations and provide clear visual documentation for technical review.
Depending on the scope, documentation may include underwater photographs, video footage, inspection observations and measurement records.
This allows vessel managers to review the condition after the operation and use the information for maintenance planning, repair preparation and future comparison.
Commercial Diving Operations at Kerry Siam Sea Port
Kerry Siam Sea Port is one of the locations where MaxiDive provides commercial diving and underwater ship services in Thailand.
Operations may include underwater inspections, hull and appendage condition assessments, UT measurements, underwater repairs, cleaning and other ship husbandry services.
For this project, the work was performed under challenging surface conditions with limited underwater visibility, requiring controlled communication between the diving team and topside personnel.
The use of dedicated commercial diving equipment, underwater CCTV and technical monitoring helped maintain effective inspection coverage throughout the operation.
Keeping Vessels Operational While Gathering Technical Data
One of the main advantages of underwater inspection is the ability to assess underwater components while the vessel remains afloat.
For shipowners, vessel managers and technical superintendents, this can provide the information needed to determine the next maintenance action without waiting for the next scheduled dry docking.
An underwater flat bottom inspection supported by UT measurement can therefore serve as an important diagnostic tool when unexpected hull conditions are suspected or when additional technical confirmation is required.
MaxiDive provides professional underwater inspection Thailand services across major Thai ports and anchorages, supported by commercial diving teams, underwater CCTV systems and technical reporting capabilities.
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Need an underwater hull inspection, UT measurement or technical condition assessment while your vessel remains afloat?
Contact MaxiDive for professional commercial diving and underwater inspection services across Thailand's major ports and anchorages.
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