The safety of port waters is an essential prerequisite for efficient and safe navigation. Regular depth measurements (bathymetry) often reveal various underwater objects that may pose a threat to ship traffic. To address this problem, procurement procedures are being organized, such as the open procurement "General Agreement on the Removal of Underwater Objects".
SIA “DroneLab”, a company with experience and specialization in underwater work, offers its professional services for performing such tasks, ensuring the highest safety and quality standards.
Underwater obstacles in port areas
The technical specification states that objects discovered during bathymetric measurements whose elevation exceeds the specified maintenance ground level must be surveyed and highlighted. These objects can be very diverse:
- Reinforced concrete structures
- Tree trunks
- Dock fenders
- Road transport tires
- Various metal objects
- Fishing gear (e.g. nets)
- Boulders
Sometimes objects may be partially submerged or washed into the bottom, while others may be so large that their removal requires breaking them into smaller pieces or cutting them off along with the bottom. The removal of such obstacles is critical to guaranteeing safe navigation in the port area.
DroneLab SIA's solution is competence and equipment
DroneLab Ltd. is fully prepared to perform the following complex underwater works, in accordance with the requirements of the technical specification:
- Certified divers: Our team consists of experienced and certified divers qualified to perform underwater survey and recovery work at depths of up to 18 meters.
- Suitable watercraft and equipment: The company has a commercially equipped vessel at its disposal. This includes:
- Precise positioning equipment for determining the location of an object.
- Powerful lifting devices, winches and slings for lifting objects of various weights and sizes.
- Specialized underwater flushing, cutting and welding equipment that allows you to deal with complex objects (e.g., large metal structures).
- Other necessary tools for performing a wide range of tasks.
- Work in different conditions: We are prepared to work within certain hydrometeorological limits, as long as it does not endanger safety:
- Flow speed: up to 2m/s
- Ripple height: up to 0.5m
- Wind speed: up to 10m/s
- Air temperature: not lower than −10∘C
- Conditions: There must be no floating ice in the work area.
Work process and responsibility
DroneLab SIA provides a full work cycle in accordance with the procurement conditions:
- Receiving coordinates and locating the object: We receive information about the location of the object from the Client (e.g., the Port Authority). It should be noted that the data provided about the material and size may be informative, therefore we perform an accurate localization and survey of the object.
- Object highlighting: We perform safe removal of the object, using cutting or splitting methods if necessary.
- Documentation: After the work is completed, we prepare and submit to the Client a certificate of removal of the object and a certificate of acceptance and handover of the work.
- Landing and disposal: We transport the removed objects to shore and ensure their disposal in accordance with applicable laws and environmental protection requirements.
Conclusion
SIA “DroneLab” is a reliable partner in performing complex underwater works. Our experience, professional team and modern technical equipment allow us to effectively and safely conduct surveys and removals of underwater objects, thus making a significant contribution to improving navigation safety in the waters of Latvian ports. We are ready to participate in procurements and implement projects with the highest sense of responsibility.
Contacts, https://dronelab.lv/contacts/
Keywords: DroneLab SIA, diver services, underwater work, object lifting, commercial diving, port waters, shipping safety, procurement, bathymetry, underwater cutting, underwater welding, disposal, certified divers.
