Will Launch Drones From Scottish Fishing Vessels

Texo DSI (UKCS), the dedicated offshore division of Texo Drone Survey and Inspection Limited, the owner operators of the world’s most advanced fleet of unmanned aerial vehicles for industrial survey and inspection has today announced a strategic joint venture with SFF Services Limited (SFFSL), commercial division of the Scottish Fishermen's Federation (SFF).

This unique joint venture will see Texo DSI (UKCS) incorporate specific and innovative UAV inspection applications into SFFSL’s portfolio of vessel services to offshore industries.

Since its inception, Texo DSI (UKCS) has developed a sector-leading suite of UAV deployed survey and inspection services; bringing to market a number of world-first technologies including:

• Survey-Grade LiDAR (for precise Asset Information Modelling)
• UT Thickness Testing
• Optical Gas Imaging
• Hyperspectral (for identification of hazardous materials)
• Remote/Supply Drop

These have been deployed in tandem with the company’s other service lines including Close Visual Inspection, Thermographic and Internal UAV inspection.

As a solution to cost effective deployment offshore SFFSL provides the platform for fishing vessels to be used by the offshore Oil and Gas, Decommissioning, Renewables and Subsea Cable sectors. For over 30 years SFFSL guard vessels have been protecting vulnerable subsea infrastructure such as pipelines under construction, wellheads awaiting full protection, and power, renewable energy, telecommunication and umbilical cables. With this versatile resource SFFSL can help reduce costs during routine operations by offering an alternative to larger vessel charters. Fishing vessels carry out a wide range of work including:

• Guard Vessel duties
• Debris Clearance
• Post-Decommissioning Trawl Sweeps (as per Oil and Gas UK recommendations)
• Overtrawlability Verification Work
• UAV, AUV and ROV Deployment
• Survey Work including Inshore and Seismic Support
• Environmental and Wildlife Monitoring

"This is an exciting opportunity for both organizations,: said Ronnie Genther, Principal Contracts Manager, Texo DSI (UKCS). "We have worked extremely hard to develop and bring to market what is the world’s most advanced fleet of UAV’s with integrated payload applications. A strategic partnership with an organisation of SFF’s stature further vindicates our position as the premier UAV provider for the offshore sector.”

"We have always been very much unique with regard to vessel provision, and early collaboration with the Oil and Gas sector now extends to the Decommissioning, Renewables and Subsea Cables sectors," said Steven Alexander, Managing Director, SFF Services Limited. "As offshore industries evolve more and more towards digital data and automation we’re stepping into an exciting new arena. Fishing vessels and drones may not be the most obvious partnership, but together our companies offer a resourceful approach to improving safety, cost and overall efficiency to operators adopting Texo DSI’s cutting-edge survey and inspection solutions.”

Texo DSI is currently developing novel UAV integrated solutions for a number of additional world firsts, including: Microwave sensor and ACFM & Phased Array (for weld fatigue). Further details of these will be announced later in the year.

(Image from Texo DSI news release)

FMI: www.texodroneservices.co.uk