INTRODUCTION

This document describes the benefits, functions, and underlying philosophy of the Underwater Inspection System (UIS) developed by RMR Systems Design Ltd

The UIS is designed to be a "Turn-key" Underwater Inspection System providing engineers with the tools to plan inspection programmes, define the data to be recorded/archived and report on the inspection findings. It is the only corporate underwater inspection system currently available that combines planning and data handling functions without compromising the requirements of either aspect of the operation

The UIS is primarily an engineering system to which computer techniques have been applied toassist routine data handling and verification. It was necessary to develop a practical manual system, in the first Instance, to prove engineering design, before computer techniques were introduced to improve the efficiency of the system and enhance the capabilities.

The UIS consists of a number of modules which perform discrete functions (technical data Handing, operations data handling, real-time data recording interface, drawing manager) which are integrated permitting a level of interaction and data exchange The modules are

  1. Technical Module - The "component orientated and anomaly based" core of the UIS. This module incorporates the functions to identify structural components, define data, and therefore inspection specifications, and report on results

  2. An Operations Analysis System - To record task times and analyse the results. This provides for the analysis of both "Spread" and "In-water" times.

  3. The Offshore Information Manager (OIM) - Which permits the simultaneous real-time logging of inspection and operations data

  4. The Drawing Manager - A database front-end to "AutoCAD ©, the PC CAD package, which provides a practical solution to drawing management

OUTLINE BENEFITS

Application of the system to his subsea inspection programmes will provide the end-user with the following benefits

  1. Increased efficiency offshore as inspection programmes are rationalised, with corresponding cost savings

  2. Increased efficiency onshore with planning and workbook production, as many of the manpower-intensive tasks are performed by the system

  3. Consistency and confidence of recording and reporting

  4. Elimination of duplication of inspection

  5. Direct manpower savings onshore if real-time data-logging is carried out offshore

  6. Ease of data access and retrieval

  7. High level of data security by the introduction of selective password access and the storage of data in write-protected files

  8. System software user-friendly, menu driven, and micro based

  9. Aids the decision-making process offshore when used real-time

SYSTEM FUNCTIONS

The UIS provides the end-user with the tools to perform the following functions

PLANNING
  1. Compilation of an inventory of structural components

  2. Definition of the Criteria of Recording for each component type and attribute within each Structure

  3. Definition of Anomaly Limits for each attribute

  4. Definition of additional Inspection activities to be undertaken on discovery of a particular Anomaly

  5. Creation of a 5-Year Plan, identifying sub-structures and component types with applicable inspection activities

  6. Development of Annual Workscopes, detailing inspection activities for every occurrence of a component type on sub-structures

  7. Definition of operational parameters for spread types

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