A photo of a ship being inspected by a drone

Ship hull inspections Fast, Safe, and detailed ship Inspections. No risky dives and less paperwork

Ship inspections with little or no downtime.

Hidden beneath the surface is the ship's hull, an important element in ensuring that a ship functions efficiently. Material failure, corrosion, and unidentified structural defects can lead to disaster, making frequent ship hull inspections important. The traditional method of inspection, using human divers, is time-consuming and expensive and puts the divers at risk. The underwater inspection service provided by Engineers with Drones helps you assess a ship's hull and spot structural failure using non-destructive underwater drones, faster and safer.

Why choose us?

Qualified engineers

As licensed engineers, we also provide the expertise, understanding, and knowledge necessary to carry out a thorough inspection, with deliverables to match. Our skilled engineers are at the ready.

IAA certification

The Irish Aviation Authority has awarded Engineers with Drones full approval in accordance with the most recent European-wide EASA regulations.

Latest technology

To ensure that you always get the best possible service and cutting-edge deliverables, we purchase the most up-to-date drone technology as soon as it's available.

Rigorous HSSE standards

The operation of Engineers With Drones is governed by a comprehensive HSSE system. Our guiding principles are to reduce risk through rigorous assessment, and to maintain a high level of staff education and training.

Fully insured

We have 6.5 million in public and product liability insurance, and 13 million in employers' liability insurance. Engineers with Drones are fully insured to fly wherever you need.

Based in Ireland

As we're situated in Ireland, we can respond to your needs quickly, with zero travel complications.

First-class deliverables

As seasoned engineers in the field, we are aware of the trouble that shoddy reports and deliverables can create. For this reason, we provide you with exactly what you require.

Quick turnaround times

Thanks to our fast turnaround times, your entire project can be completed in a fraction of the time of traditional methods, without any compromise in the quality of your deliverables.

4K and VR Footage

In addition to quadrupling the resolution of an HD camera, 4K also gives you quicker frame rates, incredible contrast variations, and expanded colours. VR video takes the level of immersion and clarity to the next level.

Why use a drone for your ship inspection?

Greater Accuracy

Drones capture high-quality, impartial information that gives you an exact assessment of the status and needs of your asset.

No downtime

Downtime is expensive and inconvenient. Using a drone, our engineers can conduct a thorough survey with little to no downtime.

Safety

The safety of your personnel and our own is paramount, and we place it at the forefront of our company culture. Ask us about our HSSE systems and practices.

Detect hidden problems

We use cutting-edge technologies to detect problems that would otherwise be invisible. These include ultra-HD photography/video, LIDAR and thermal imaging.

Hard-to-reach spaces

Drones aren't just for flying up in the sky. Our specialist drones can fly into confined spaces like chimneys and boilers to look for issues that would otherwise be inaccessible.

Quick turnaround

We understand that you need answers fast. We can deliver a plain-English report with clear-cut conclusions in days. Then, you can take the steps you need to and get back to doing what you do best.

No scaffolding or ropes

Drone technology is cheaper, safer and more reliable than traditional methods such as scaffolding, cherry-pickers and ropes. It's also quicker and less labour-intensive. We will bring everything we need and be out of your way that same day.

Real-time consulting

Sometimes the brief can change even in real-time. If need be, you can be stood there right next to the drone operator, directing them as the situation develops.

Inspection is essential to maintaining your ship's hull

The hull paint is an important protective element in helping ships deal with changing water temperatures, currents, biofouling and sea environments. If your ship's hull is not properly protected, these changing conditions can cause structural damage.

Our ship hull inspection service helps our clients track the status of their vessel's hull. The build-up of plants, algae and other sea organisms (also called biofouling) can hinder your ship's performance. Even ships treated with antifouling paint need regular inspection to ensure no areas have been compromised and that the paint is holding up. The advantage of ship hull inspections using drones is that you can compare, track and inspect points of interest up close, allowing you to determine when to recoat the paint.

A drone inspection of a ship
Get a closer look without the hassle, delays or risk

Faster & Safer

Traditional inspection methods require the use of multiple divers. One of the divers will take up the role of "main diver" and the others will be in supporting roles. During an inspection, they may need to switch roles depending on the circumstances. Divers have to take breaks. This can slow down the process. Many divers can be replaced by one submersible drone.

Underwater drones eliminate the need for human divers, minimizing the risks associated with underwater ship hull inspections. The port is a busy place with a lot of traffic from other vessels, causing a huge risk of ships colliding with a diver. Anchoring ships a mile from the port to mitigate this risk exposes the divers to the dangers of strong currents and being carried deeper into the ocean. Our underwater drones can navigate these strong currents safely. The rapid pressurization and depressurization caused by diving to 12 meters and deeper also take their toll on divers, often causing decompression sickness (also known as the bends). Our drone can go up and down all day.

High-quality and detailed reports

Our High-Definition cameras and thermal imagery, allow us to compile highly detailed, actionable data that is invisible to the naked eye. This saves further time in the repair or replacement of ship components. Tradespeople and other personnel on-site can be directed to areas of concern with pinpoint accuracy and with all the information they need. These reports can also be shared digitally with anyone else that may need to examine them. For example, with stakeholders and insurance companies.

How does it work?

Reach out and tell us your idea

We take emails, phone calls, messages, everything! If you are unsure of what's possible we are happy to advise, the most important thing is to get in touch. We would be delighted to answer any questions you may have.

Start at the end

With drones, it's best to begin where you want to end up. What sort of deliverable would you like when it's all finished? If you are not sure then we can advise. We can look at what you would like and work backwards from there.

Scope of work and set a price

Once we have agreed on what is to be done, the scope of work is set and a price is agreed upon. We feel it is vital that everyone knows what they are getting and what they are paying for it. There should be no confusion.

Permits and other paperwork

Once we have confirmation you are happy to proceed, we start the ball rolling. We organise things like RAMS, site permits, Air Traffic Control clearance and much more. Basically, we generate everything needed to turn up on-site with all our ducks in a row.

Field Operations

Next, we do the work on site. We have the gear, we have the know-how, so now it's time to get the job done. This can sometimes be affected by the weather, but for the most part, we get the job done on the date specified.

Post Processing

This is where we take what we generated in the field and turn it into a final deliverable for you. This can be anything from the raw data itself, to fully processed Orthophotos, condition reports, CAD line work or thermal imagery.

Handover

The final step is the handover of the deliverables. We tend to use a cloud-based service, so you can access your data anywhere. We can also tie into your existing systems if that is more convenient.

Get a quote

Our Services Not just photos from the sky

Spoiler alert: we don't do weddings! We're professional engineers who have learned to fly drones really well. If you're looking for a photo of your garden or a swooshing shot of your wedding reception, we're probably not the right people for you. But if you need an engineer's eyes and experience, combined with next-generation UAV technology and industry-leading deliverables, then you've come to the right place.

Drone Photography

Capture high-quality imagery of your assets from never before seen vantage points.

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Thermal Imaging

Detect abnormalities within your assets that are otherwise invisible to the naked eye.

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Photogrammetry

Capture real-world locations and assets digitally, for quicker and more cost-efficient inspections.

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Internal Confined Spaces

Mitigate the risk factors of traditional confined space inspections, without compromising on quality.

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What technology do we use for ship inspections?

We purchase the latest drones as they come on the market to ensure you are getting the highest quality service from us at all times. Here is a quick look at what we would be most likely to use for a typical drone ship inspection.

Our equipment
DJI MatriceM300 RTK M300 RTK by DJI

Our flagship drone: The M300 RTK by DJI is the premier enterprise-level inspection drone on the market. With a flight time of up to 55 minutes, lots of built-in redundancy, and a host of payloads to choose from, this is our go-to UAV for inspection work. When coupled with the Zenmuse H20T camera, it is capable of safely inspecting high-value assets at a stand-off range.

  • Drone
  • Camera
  • Thermal Imaging
  • Ultra HD
  • Long range
More info
Our equipment
MultinnovStereo 2 Stereo 2 confined space drone by Multinnov

The confined space master: The Stereo 2 by Multinnov is the cutting-edge in confined space and indoor inspection drone technology. Eliminating the need to send personnel into hazardous locations, the Multinnov Stereo 2 can be deployed at a fraction of the cost, and with zero downtime. This is a drone designed from the ground up to get into restrictive and hard-to-reach places.

  • Drone
  • Camera
  • Confined spaces
  • Indoors

People often ask us about...

Our Equipment
Check out our cutting-edge drone equipment and find out what it can do for you.

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IAA Certification
We are fully accredited by the Irish Aviation Authority to the latest European-wide EASA regulations.

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HSSE
Health and safety is a core principle of our business. Find out how we put these principles into practice.

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Fully insured
We hold 13m employers' liability insurance and 6.5m public & product liability insurance.

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Deliverables
Tell us what you need in your inbox, and we will start planning from there. Fully customised.

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Expert engineers
We are experienced engineers with strong technical backgrounds.

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Irish location
Based in Ireland, we'll be with you quickly - ready with all the correct permits.

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The Weather
Find out how we factor the weather into when we provide drone services.

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We have worked with...

All assets and industries

Our specialities don't begin and end with ship inspections, we perform surveys and inspections across a wide variety of industries. Click on an asset or industry below to find out more.

A UAV performing a drone bridge inspection on an old stone road bridge

Bridge Inspections

Safer, more cost-efficient, with less downtime

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A UAV performing a drone building inspection

Building Inspections

Clearer, faster results without the risks

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A DJI inspection drone inspecting the wall of a coastal pier

Coastal Infrastructure

Monitor coastal assets safely and with more precision

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A confined space drone inspection with a Flyability Elios 2 drone

Confined Space Drone Inspections

Eliminate safety concerns, save costs and reduce downtime

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An image of a construction site taken by a drone performing drone services for construction.

Construction Services

Instant, actionable data with no downtime

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A drone performing a wind turbine inspection

Energy Inspections

Inspect and maintain energy assets without risk or downtime

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TODO

Farm Mapping Services

Accurate and efficient analysis of crops and land

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An aerial image of an oil refinery taken with a drone conducting a flare stack inspection

Flare Inspections

Safer and more cost-efficient flare (oil and gas) inspections

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A photo of an agricultural field taken with a drone

Forestry and Agricultural

Faster, cheaper and more accurate analysis of land

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todo

Forestry Mapping

Faster, cheaper and more accurate analysis of land

Find out more
An old round martello tower building taken with a drone

Historical Buildings

Analyse historical buildings without risk to people or property

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A photo of a load of industrial chimneys taken with a drone

Industrial Chimneys

Actionable data from a safe distance, with less downtime

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A photo of industrial infrastructure taken with a drone during an inspection

Industrial Inspections

Keep production running while collecting instant critical data

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An image of a damaged building taken by a drone performing drone services for insurance.

Insurance Services

Record and document reliable visuals without safety concerns

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A view of the landscape taken by a drone on a survey

Landscape Inspections

Endless perspectives, without manned aircrafts or structures

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A photo of a cell phone tower taken with a drone

Line of Sight Surveys

Reduced risk, damage to towers and delays

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A photo of a quarry taken with a drone

Mines, Quarry and Landfill

Monitor status and progress without downtime

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A photo of an oil refinery taken with a drone during an inspection

Oil & Gas Inspections

Fast, actionable data without the risks of traditional inspections

Find out more
A close-up photo of an electrical pylon taken during a drone inspection

Power Grid Inspections

Instantly usable data via a safer and more cost-effective process

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A photo of a railway tracks and a bridge taken with a drone

Rail Inspections

Eliminates downtime and safety concerns, at a fraction of the cost

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A house next to a river taken by a drone performing drone real estate services

Real Estate Drone Services

Add "Wow Factor" to residential and commercial property listings

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A photo of a river taken with a drone during an inspection

Rivers and Waterways

Safer, more precise data collection at a fraction of the cost

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A drone performing a roof inspection

Roof Inspections

Accurate, safe and instantly actionable data collection

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A photo taken by a drone of rooftop solar panels during an inspection

Rooftop Solar Inspections

Ensure solar panel efficiency from precise data collection

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A photo of a ship being inspected by a drone

Ships and Marine

Safe, precise and instant reports on vessels and infrastructure

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Solar panels being inspected by a drone

Solar Farms

Get actionable data on quality and operational health

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An image of a storm-damaged building and roof taken by a drone during a storm damage inspection.

Storm Damage

Assess damage quickly and with pinpoint accuracy

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A photo of a storage tank being inspected by a drone

Tanks, Silos and Vessel Inspections

Get fast, usable data from a safe distance

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A telecommunications tower being inspected by a drone

Telecommunications

Get critical data on cell and telecommunication infrastructure

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A drone performing an inspection of a communications tower

Tower Inspections

Instantly view complex structures, keeping risks to a minimum

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A photo of a water tower taken by a drone during an inspection

Water Tower Inspections

Critical, pinpoint details with none of the risk

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A drone inspecting a wind turbine in ireland

Wind Turbine Inspections

A more cost- and time-effective way to receive critical data

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