New South Wales and Queensland State Legislation has made it mandatory to conduct annual inspections of fire water tanks. Owners and Maintenance Managers of fire water assets have a responsibility to ensure that their tanks have been inspected for any defects that could cause the fire suppression system to fail in the event of a fire. AUS-ROV Tank Inspection Unit specialises in assessment of the condition of your fire water tanks through external physical visual inspection and ROV internal inspection. The thorough investigation of water assets AUS-ROV perform ensure’s that our customers receive the highest level of accuracy in our reporting. AUS-ROV are the tank inspectors to chose for your next fire water tank inspection and maintenance projects. QBCC Plumbing and Drainage License No. 1314467

AUS-ROV have just recovered approximately $120,000 worth of environmental monitoring equipment offshore of Port Hacking, Sydney, NSW. The scientific mooring was deployed months ago and has been collecting a range of data from the ocean floor. A hydrophone is used to communicate with the mooring however the recovery buoy release mechanism failed to activate and float a recovery line to the surface. AUS-ROV used the vLBV300 with 2 function manipulator to attach a rope and recover the device. Conditions weren’t favourable as the Australian Eastern Current was already running strong for the season. The mission was a difficult one but yet again AUS-ROV have proven themselves to be the best ROV service provider on the East Coast of Australia.

At north pine dam the SeaBotix LBV200 ROV was used to inspect 10 intake valves within a vertical riser shaft. At a depth of 30m the vertical riser turns 90 degrees to run horizontally over to the North Pine Dam Water Treatment Plant. AUS-ROV inspected the pipeline to 70m horizontal penetration to give SEQ Water’s engineers the opportunity to view the internal wall surface and inspect the main pipeline valve between the dam and the treatment plant. SEQ Water follow stringent inspection programs and have welcomed changes in available technology such as ROVs, allowing for a safer, more cost effective, non-traditional approach.

AUS-ROV has taken ownership of the newest member of the ever growing fleet of ROV’s on hand in our East Coast Workshop. The DOE M5 ROV is extremely powerful, with a forward thrust in excess of 68kg and payload carrying capability over 50kg, the M5 is capable of performing cable tracking and light work class ROV duties. This ROV brings strength, adaptability and power to the front line of AUS-ROV’s workforce. Click the button below to learn more about this ROV.

AUS-ROV have developed a remote actuated water sampling device for collection of water samples at depths. The sampler holds up to 12 x 100mL spring loaded syringes which can be activated using a sliding release plate. The system has been developed to fit the SeaBotix vLBV300 ROV which has the capability of diving to 950m when configured for it. Further testing at depths will be carried out at a later stage. Recently the system was used to take water samples up to 500m into a pipeline. AUS-ROV have a strong future in mechatronics and systems development with the addition of two in house mechatronic engineers.

Wivenhoe Power Station is the only pumped storage hydroelectric plant in QLD. It consists of two 250 megawatt units that are the largest hydro machines in Australia and weigh 1,500 tonnes each. AUS-ROV performed ROV General Visual Inspection (GVI) of the intake screens and turbine / pump shaft and bearing at the beginning of July. The operations team deployed the vLBV300 High Definition ROV from approximately 13 metres above the water level with the specially designed quick deployment and recovery system from SeaBotix. The ROV provided high resolution video of the turbine components, intake screens and concrete foundations the power station stands on.

Sydney Institute of Marine Science contacted AUS-ROV and presented an issue where 20km offshore from Sydney Harbour they had some fish monitoring devices (FMD) that failed to return to the surface after being acoustically released via hydrophone. The FMD’s are part of a worldwide project gathering data on the movement of tagged fish species. AUS-ROV successfully recovered the devices from depths of 150m. The SeaBotix vLBV300 was ‘flown’ to the seafloor within close proximity to the GPS coordinates of the deployed FMD. Once resting on the ocean floor the ROV’s sonar was used to identify potential targets. When an investigated target proved to be an FMD the manipulator was used to grab and retrieve

AUS-ROV perform ROV dam inspections throughout Australia. The high definition video footage captured by our ROV allows dam operators to get a very clear picture and understanding on the current state of their water assets. AUS-ROV have extensive experience performing dam inspections with ROV and have the engineering background to convey this information using construction terminology and presented in professionally written reports. Our engineers speak with your engineers on the same level of understanding and ensure that project objectives are achieved. Speak with AUS-ROV today to discuss your next dam infrastructure inspection on 0412291870 or email us at inspections@aus-rov.com.au

AUS-ROV has a wealth of knowledge when it comes to ROV operations across many sectors. Whether inspecting a water tank in the Middle East, performing deep sea research off Sydney or inspecting offshore infrastructure in Papua New Guinea, AUS-ROV Directors’ Alex and Adrian Jahnke have the experience and skills to successfully plan and execute the most complex of ROV intervention projects. The world’s largest oil and gas companies have put their faith in our ability to perform ROV operations of significant complexity and to date have not failed. AUS-ROV know of and understand the potential challenges of working in the marine industry and can personally provide their expert services on your next project.

AUS-ROV received a call advising that a friend had jumped approximately 20m from a tree above a cliff into a waterhole at Dalwood Falls, NSW and failed to surface. AUS-ROV quickly mobilised their Seabotix LBV200 ROV and 3 jaw mechanical grabber to the site of the incident where NSW police officer gave permission to attempt search and recovery operations. As the full moon rose over the water AUS-ROV conducted ROV search of the waterhole. At 9.20pm the body was located at a depth of 7.4m. The 3 jaw grabber took a firm grip of the body and returned to the surface. AUS-ROV would like to thank all NSW Police and SES personnel involved in the operation.

AUS-ROV now perform CCTV pipeline and tunnel inspections using IPEK’s German made SUPERVISION® and ROVVER® tractor crawlers. The vehicles we use have the capability of surveying pipes of diameters as small as 100mm and as large as 1500mm. We can also penetrate to distances of up to 500m from one access point without the need to relocate to the next available point of entry. AUS-ROV recently surveyed the wastewater pipeline system and return brine water tunnel network for Veolia Water at the Gold Coast Desalination Plant. AUS-ROV are looking forward to securing the next project Scheduled for February 2014 with Sydney Water.

Adrian and Alex Jahnke of AUS-ROV Underwater Inspections celebrated the completion of a successful second year of operations in the ROV industry. To add to celebration on the day AUS-ROV were awarded contracts from both Shell Australia and Veolia Water. In two years AUS-ROV have achieved a solid footprint in the ROV market and specialise in water tank inspections, pipeline surveys, marine surveys, tunnel inspections, vessel hull inspections and sub marine infrastructure inspections. AUS-ROV Directors extend a huge thank you to our collaborative partner, Bill Bulloch of ROV Downunder for his continued support from his offshore postings.

With days notice AUS-ROV mobilised an ROV system and team from Perth to Bunbury and meet up with Kurt Haunold and J Cortez of Harbour Services Australia and loaded our equipment onto their launch vessel Harbour Achiever and headed to sea to inspect the anchored and awaiting Stenaweco Spirit . The propeller, 6m diameter propellor and rudder were inspected first followed by passes of the port side, starboard and undercarriage checking for damage, anti-fouling condition, marine growth and condition of the bilge keels and sea chest grates, fasteners and mousing. The inspection was completed in under 7 hours and the HD footage provided the owner a clear picture of the state of their vessel hull.

AUS-ROV and ROV Downunder collaborated with Veolia Water to execute this inspection of the Gold Coast Desalination Plant’s filtered seawater tank. The footage was captured in high definition 1080p video providing significant detail of the internal condition of the water tank and it’s components. AUS-ROV have been providing the highest standard of remotely operated underwater vehicle services for over two years at the Gold Coast Desalination Plant and look forward to the next inspection which involves a pipeline crawler system in a dry tunnel.

AUS-ROV Underwater Inspections not only inspect fire water tanks and drinking water reservoirs but also provide maintenance services such as dive cleaning and tank refurbishment. AS 1851-2012 Routine Service of Fire Protection Systems and Equipment specifies that Fire Water Tanks must be cleaned 12 months after commissioning, when the tank base is covered in sediment to a level determined by a suitably qualified tank technician to require cleaning or at a maximum interval of every ten years. It pays to shop around when looking for tank or reservoir cleaning services. Always make sure the people you engage are ADAS Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme approved. AUS-ROV can only perform building work up to the value of $3,300 in Queensland.

This sixty year old weir in the Atherton Tablelands was losing water through a corroded drain valve. SunWater engineers decided to plug the drain with a quick forming grout. The strong suction force at the intake made it unsafe for a diver to conduct work. AUS-ROV were able to use the three jaw grabber on the SeaBotix LBV200 to grip the grout injection hose and hold it at the entrance to the drain intake whilst the grout was injected. AUS-ROV can provide underwater construction support in all types of aquatic environments. We have a comprehensive spread of ROV’s and Subsea Tooling available.

This month the team at AUS-ROV were safety inducted to work on Shell Petroleum sites throughout Australia. The first assignment was an ROV Fire Water Tank Inspection of the internal condition of the fire water tank at the Brisbane Shell Distribution Centre. The inspection provided strong evidence to support the health of the tank structure and allowed the Tank Integrity Engineers to determine the maintenance and further inspection requirements of the tank using the High Definition Video taken of the entire internal surface of the tank. AUS-ROV will be performing inspections throughout Australia on behalf of Shell Petroleum. Fire Water Tank Inspections are required under legislation for Fire Service Maintenance.

AUS-ROV are the experts in conducting fire water tank inspections in line with AS1851-2012. We offer complete inspection, cleaning and maintenance services to keep your fire service tank operating effectively. We provide ROV inspection services which eliminate the safety hazards posed by entering personnel into a confined space. Inspections are carried out in accordance with the new Fire Tank Standard AS2304-2011 Water Storage Tanks for Fire Protection Systems and AS1851-2012 Routine Service of Fire Protection Systems. NOTE: AUS-ROV are not licensed perform building work valued in excess of $3,300 in Queensland.

AUS-ROV were in Papua New Guinea where they accompanied a team of marine scientists from FRC Environmental to fulfill the ROV component of a marine and coastal environment assessment for a future port development on the remote island of Daru near the head of the Fly River. AUS-ROV conducted ROV transects at GPS coordinates around the island which were filmed in high definition video for species identification and soft coral monitoring during the construction of the port. Use of ROV technology was adopted by scientists to perform the underwater filming as the local environment is habitat to large saltwater crocodiles, sharks and marine stingers.

AUS-ROV performed an offshore operation with diver assistance to undertake inspections of the Gold Coast Desalination Plant’s seawater intake riser approximately 2km off Tugun Beach. The dive team from Gilberts swiftly removed the access panel to the intake structure and assisted AUS-ROV’s SeaBotix LBV200 ROV with conducting an internal visual inspection of the concrete riser and tunnel. Objectives were to identify levels of marine growth, presence of sea life, structural integrity of the concrete casing and sediment buildup in the sump at the bottom depth of 90m. Gilberts divers conducted weld and sacrificial anode inspections around the intake dome structure as the ROV performed the inspection inside the tunnel.

The team at AUS-ROV have been busy travelling to and from Gladstone to execute underwater inspections of the internal walls and base of two test pilings that have been driven into the bedrock at Curtis Island in Gladstone Harbour. The engineers and geotechs will use the footage captured to identify the means necessary to prepare the foundations prior to placement of concrete. Visibility was a difficulty which was encountered with a sediment layer of around 6m hampering the ROV’s ability to get to the bottom of the piling. After several attempts and pumping the sludge out from the bottom, AUS-ROV were able to successfully capture footage that clearly identifies the geological condition of the seabed within the piling.

AUS-ROV won a tender to perform rov inspections at the Gold Coast Desalination Plant. The pre-treatment water tanks under inspection perform flocculation where destabilised particles conglomerate into larger aggregates so that they can be separated from the pre-treated water. This processing ensures unwanted fine particles and minerals in the water are removed before it enters the reverse osmosis system. It is important to ensure that all process infrastructure be inspected and maintained to mitigate against the disruption of water supply to residents of South East Queensland. ROV’s allow inspection of infrastructure with minimal disturbance whilst removing the safety risks posed to commercial divers.

AUS-ROV Underwater Inspections have been contracted to conduct inspections on all of their Fire Service Tanks across Queensland. Thankfully industry has shifted focus toward the importance of human lives on work sites throughout Australia and with greater access to technology these days, ROV’s are quickly becoming the norm when conducting inspections in confined spaces. There is no risk to human life as we deploy our ROV inside the confined space of a Fire Water Tank to inspect the internal condition of all components and identify sediment depths. If your Fire Service Tanks or Potable Drinking Water Tanks require inspection and maintenance think Remotely Operated Vehicles… Think AUS-ROV!

The SeaBotix LBV200 was put through it’s paces whilst conducting an observational survey of benthic habitats at two local reefs off the South East Queensland Coast. The study was performed alongside research divers under taxing conditions with a surging ground swell and strong currents creating a difficult dive environment. Despite the conditions the SeaBotix fared well and AUS-ROV pilots captured some great video footage for the client. Setting up the ROV System on-board the work vessel was complete and ready to descend in under fifteen minutes. AUS-ROV achieved positioning of fish monitoring devices and retrieval of survey apperatus.