Paradise Dam, operated by Sunwater, stands as a vital component of Queensland's water infrastructure, serving multiple purposes including irrigation, flood mitigation, and water supply. Ensuring the structural integrity and safety of such dams is paramount, and Remote Operated Vehicle (ROV) inspection plays a crucial role in this endeavor. Through the utilisation of ROVs equipped with advanced sensors and imaging technology, AUS-ROV conducts comprehensive inspections of structural components of dams, providing valuable insights into their condition and integrity. Despite these efforts, recent assessments have raised concerns regarding the long-term viability of Paradise Dam, prompting the decision to explore alternatives, including the construction of a new dam immediately downstream of the current structure. This decision underscores the Queensland Governments commitment to maintaining water security and safety for surrounding communities while navigating the challenges posed by aging infrastructure and evolving environmental factors.
Over the past 12 years AUS-ROV has provided underwater search, investigation and recovery services for Government Authorities including Queensland and New South Wales Water Police, Australian Maritime Safety Authority and the Australian Transport Safety Bureau.
In the spring of 2023, AUS-ROV provided critical ROV support for a Government search operation involving multibeam sonar, GPS mapping, object identification and recovery over a 10 week campaign.
While we can't share the specifics, we can share that it was one of the most meaningful operations we've had the honour to play our part in.
The Brogo Dam, operated by WaterNSW, stands as a critical component of Australia's water infrastructure, serving to supply water for irrigation, domestic consumption, and environmental sustainability in the region it serves. As with all dams across the country, ensuring the structural integrity and operational efficiency of the Brogo Dam is paramount to safeguarding surrounding communities and the environment. In this context, ROV inspection plays a vital role in maintaining the safety and reliability of dams in Australia. By employing ROVs equipped with advanced sensors and imaging technology, such as high-definition cameras and sonar systems, WaterNSW can conduct thorough and regular inspections of the Brogo Dam's underwater structures and components. These inspections enable engineers and operators to detect potential issues, such as erosion, leakage, or structural damage, in a timely manner, allowing for proactive maintenance and repair measures to be implemented. Ultimately, the utilization of ROV inspection ensures that dams like Brogo remain robust and resilient, contributing to the sustainable management of water resources and the safety of surrounding communities.
Situated on Curtis Island, Shell’s QCLNG Terminal stands as a cornerstone of Australia's liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry, serving as a pivotal hub for the processing, storage, and exportation of natural gas. Amidst its critical role in the energy sector, ensuring the integrity and reliability of its infrastructure is paramount. One essential aspect of this maintenance lies in the inspection and upkeep of the LNG jetty piles, vital structural components that support the terminal's operations. Leveraging AUS-ROV’s cutting-edge ROV technology has revolutionised this process, allowing for comprehensive and efficient inspections of these underwater assets. Through the use of remotely operated vehicles equipped with advanced sensors and tools, such as high-definition cameras, multibeam imaging sonars, high-pressure water blasting systems, ultrasonic thickness testing equipment, and cathodic potential measurement devices, the QCLNG Terminal can conduct thorough assessments of the steel piles with unparalleled precision and effectiveness. This integration of ROV technology not only enhances the safety and efficiency of maintenance operations but also ensures the continued operational excellence and safety of the QCLNG Terminal, reinforcing its pivotal role in Australia's energy landscape.
AUS-ROV’s systems come equipped with high-definition cameras and specialised sensors to provide detailed visual inspections, detecting corrosion, damage, blockages and other anomalies. Operating remotely reduces the need for human divers therefore eliminating safety risks and allowing for complete inspection of the 1.6km and 1km tunnels. Overall, ROV technology offers a safe, efficient, and comprehensive method for inspecting desalination plant tunnels, ensuring optimal performance and reliability of the infrastructure.
AUS-ROV are renowned industry front runners in underwater technology services. Our ability to capture three dimensional sonar data of underwater structures using highly sophisticated technology and modelling software makes us the superior choice for projects that do not conform to standard technical boundaries. AUS-ROV utilised the Teledyne BlueView 5000 underwater 3D multibeam sonar for point data acquisition for determining accurate spatial positioning of underwater bridge structural components.
AUS-ROV was commisioned to undertake structural assessment of a water filtration plant in Sydneys South East. The variability in the untreated raw water was cause for concern in reliability of high definition video camera and hence 2D multibeam imaging sonar was used in conjunction with. Combining the multibeam survey of concrete surfaces with a visual camera follow up on identified defects provides a significant time saving methodology of inspection meaning we don’t waste days on site looking at structures through murky water at close range. The quality of the sonar image in relation to a deviation in the concretes surface is demonstrated in the below comparison between sonar image and video image.
AUS-ROV utilised the Teledyne SeaBotix vLBV300 Remotely Operated Vehicle System to position and survey a dam wall surface using Teledyne BlueView M900/2250 - 130 2D two dimensional high resolution multibeam sonar to detect deviations in surface profile, concrete spalling, cracking, deterioration and condition of previously installed repairs or patchwork. The sonar data is captured and later post processed to achieve a 2D high resolution image of the entire dam wall. A UAV was utilised to capture the above water dam structure in HD Video and this data used to generat a photogrammetric model allowing AUS-ROV personnel to present the entire upstream face of the dam structure in a high resolution 2D hybrid photo mosaic.
AUS-ROV perform small footprint rapid mobilisation services for water asset owners around the country. Some of our ROV’s are small enought to check in on domestic airlines flights and enable us to urgently get observation class eyes on the subject within short timeframes… when it matters most! Dam infrastructure generally involves multiple stakeholders including hydro power generation, agriculture and domestic water supply, all of which cannot afford to have downtime. AUS-ROV understands when emergencies occur that timing is of the essence and we have a proven track record for delivering ROV inspection services within critical timeframes.
Through collaborating with commercial diving companies over the years, AUS-ROV has been able to access some intrinsically difficult to reach places. Subsea Global Solutions (formerly Gray Diving Services) are one outfit that have recognised the value in collaboration between diver and remote operated vehicle, in fact the US Navy have in recent years adopted the SRS Fusion being a hybrid ROV/AUV which also can be used as a Diver Navigation & Propulsion System. There remains a robust relationship between man and machine, one prime example is the use of diver and inspection class ROV for conduction internal surveys of tunnels and pipelines with access hatches or grates. Divers can be utilised for means of accessing underwater confined spaces however the hazards once inside pose too high a risk and physical challenge to warrant performing the inspection much beyond this point. This is where the advantages of ROV can be exemplified. In the instance of Cascade Dam, a diver was deployed to unbolt a hatch which then allowed an ROV to enter into a 400mm diameter scour pipeline and conduct internal visual inspection up to the downstream valve at a distance of approximately 220m. Both Diver and ROV have their uses in modern day underwater operations and we will continue to see this symbiotic relationship in years to come.
Desilting stormwater pipelines presents its own set of challenges for councils and state asset owners. One difficulty is providing companies with accurate quantification and composition of sediment accretion within pipelines, culverts and tunnels. AUS-ROV has developed systems which allow for accurate 3D modelling within conduits to enable stakeholders to assess the quantity of sediment within their water infrastructure. These surveying techniques can then be repeated periodically or after contractors complete pigging or desilting in order to guage the extent or success in removing foreign debris and sedimentation. Comparitave reporting can inform asset management of rates of accretion or assist in developing an understanding of the effects of storm, flood or tidal surge mechanisms. AUS-ROV’s specialist engineers, with decades of experience in stormwater and coastal engineering, can provide clarity on the general internal condition of conduits in what is otherwise typically a difficult asset to manage with traditional diving and confined space entry.
AUS-ROV carried out an ROV GVI and CP Survey of Seqwater’s Dam at Lake Wivenhoe in South East Queensland. The cathotic potential survey measured the potential in submerged structural steel elements to support GHD consulting engineers deliver their assessment. AUS-ROV's is a world leader in the water sector for delivering advanced technological robotic solutions for infrastructure inspection.
AUS-ROV utilised their 5km military grade fiber optic tether and the SRS Fusion ROV to inspect a 1500m intake tunnel in Adelaide, South Australia. The SRS Fusion ROV is fitted with a suite of advanced sensors and technology that enables this system to capture extremely accurate spatial data, high definition video, side scan sonar and forward facing multibeam sonar imagery all factory integrated into a compact battery powered hybrid ROV/AUV. AUS-ROV’s specialist long distance tunnel inspection team have successfully executed another long distance tunnel inspection in South Australia.
Small diameter pipelines can be a difficult type of infrastructure to internally inspect. The nature of pipelines tightly enclosed confined space environment and in-line obstacles such as valves, bends, junctions, tapers and internal foreign objects or blockages, requires inspection service providers to carry a multitude of different technology sensors, CCTV cameras, remote operated systems and inspection devices to cover the diverse range of infrastructure inspection scenarios encountered on routine inspection projects across industrial sectors throughout Australia and the Asia Pacific. AUS-ROV utilises a pushrod cctv camera when inspection methodology is governed by access limitations. In this inspection at the Agnes Water Desalination Plant, AUS-ROV was able to insert a camera into a 400mm diameter pipeline and negotiate three large radial bends before travelling a further 50m up the pipeline to inspect the internal condition. AUS-ROV maintains its commitment to our clients in that we will go out of our way to offer whatever is required to achieve a successful outcome for any inspection project.
AUS-ROV’s continues partnership with Sydney Water to assist in delivering high quality safe drinking water to Australia’s largest city of over 5.23 million people. Our potable water inspection ROV systems are providing the highest level of detail and critical information for the safe operation and delivery of Sydney’s drinking water from Palm Beach to Gerringong to the Blue Mountains. When you go to the tap for a glass of water, rest assured that AUS-ROV have had their inspection systems inside the tank that delivers to your tap. Our professional personnel, advances robotic systems and strict disinfection procedures guarantees the highest level of details are provided to Sydney Water to enable their team to make precise and informed decisions on the management of the city’s most important assets.
AUS-ROV has long partnered with Origin to perform ROV inspection services on water assets. Over the years there is one thing that always stands true in every aspect of their operations… SAFETY FIRST. The culture of safe work is deeply embedded in the daily activities of each and every staff member at Origin and through setting such examples, AUS-ROV has been able to constantly improve not only our Safety Management Systems but also ingrain safety into the minds of our personnel so that we stay switched on not only at work, but in everything we do. ROVs are a safe and reliable way of eliminating risk to personnel entering confined spaces. Prioritising elimination of the risk is the safest way of getting the job done.
AUS-ROV was engaged by an energy generation company to takeover an inspection that was attempted by a third party dive contractor who was unfortunate to proceed with an inspection of a 900m length of tunnel with an unproven ROV. By splicing copper umbilical beyond the effective limit of copper data transmission the ROV lost comms and became lodged when the dead sub was being retrieved via it’s umbilical. AUS-ROV was contacted by the energy generator and mobilised to Mount Beauty in Victoria that week. AUS-ROV recovered the lodged ROV and completed the inspection flawlessly. We are professional and experienced in everything we do and repeat business is not an objective but a pleasure. We look forward to supporting our energy sector clients throughout the operational lifetime of AUS-ROV.
AUS-ROV have been inspecting dam structures in South East Asia for many years and understand the value in confirming not only structural integrity, but design and dimensional details as well. Dam safety is a critical consideration for owners of these assets and given the recent increase in catastrophic failure of a number of dams around the world, it makes sense to utilise evolving remote technology which can assist in understanding the current condition of water assets and potentially preempt an unwanted event. AUS-ROV provides ROV inspection services to WaterNSW who own and operate 42 dams across New South Wales, a number of which we have been inspected with using our Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles.
The environmental survey is repeated every year by AUS-ROV on behalf of MCC to ensure that this particular outfall pipeline is operating to the design specification. At the surface, the corals that have been growing on the pipeline since its installation, appear to be flourishing in these rich with life waters off Madang Province in Papua New Guinea. The Teledyne SeaBotix vLBV ROV fitted with Sony HD Zoom Camera returns superior high definition video which enables us to identify the smallest of defects or anomalies when performing surveys. AUS-ROV have been performing work in Papua New Guinea since 2011 and have developed a strong understanding of the ways in which work must be carried out. We look forward to working again in PNG in the near future.
