Underwater Photography Kamsar Port

Photographs are the backbone of any survey report. They show what the report describes, they support a claim and they allow experts who were not at the dive to form an opinion. Underwater photography in Kamsar Port is more difficult than it looks, because of silt, current and limited light. Our teams use proper equipment and method to make sure photographs are usable as evidence.

Camera and Lighting

We use digital cameras of 12 megapixels or more, in housings rated well beyond the dive depth, and strobes or LED panels for lighting. Close shooting is essential in turbid water, because every extra metre of water between camera and subject reduces contrast. For hull plates, we shoot at a distance of about 0.5 to 1 m, using a wide-angle lens to cover a good area while keeping detail.

Making Photographs Useful

• Every defect photograph includes a scale bar or ruler.
• A photograph of a wider area shows where the defect is on the hull.
• A close-up shows the detail, such as crack length or coating blister size.
• A photograph log lists image number, hull position, depth and date.
• Images are labelled by ship side and frame number.

Typical Subjects

We photograph coating condition, corrosion, dents and scrapes, weld seams, bilge keels, sea chests, rudder and pintles, propeller blades, shaft seals, anodes and the anchor and chain. For damage cases, we photograph the area before cleaning, after cleaning and during Thickness Measurement, so that the changes caused by the work are also documented.

Photographs for Propellers

A propeller is a high-value item, and small defects can cause large problems. We photograph each blade on both faces where accessible, including leading and trailing edges, tip and root. Nicks, cracks, bends and pitting are marked and measured. A set of such photographs, taken before and after polishing or repair, shows the work carried out and the resulting condition.

Delivery for Reports and Claims

Photographs are supplied in full resolution JPEG format, with a contact sheet and a log. For claims, we keep the original files unaltered and can provide metadata showing the date and time. Our team can also prepare a short photographic report with captions for submission to class, insurers or the charterer.

Order Photographs

Tell us the areas you need and the purpose of the photographs. We will plan the shooting list and provide a delivery date.

Photograph Standards for Class and Claims

Class societies and insurers prefer photographs that are sharp, well lit, labelled and scaled. We follow a simple standard: one wide image to show location, one medium image to show the defect in its surroundings and one close-up with scale. File names include ship, date and position. We avoid heavy editing, and we keep the unedited originals. This standard makes photographs easy to review and hard to challenge, which is exactly what a claim or survey needs.

Planning the Photograph List

Before the dive, we prepare a photograph list based on the class requirements and the ship's concerns: draft marks, anodes, sea chests, rudder, propeller blades, bilge keels and any known damage. During the dive, the supervisor ticks off each item, so that nothing is missed. After the dive, the images are sorted, labelled and checked against the list. This planning makes the difference between a random set of pictures and a complete photographic record that a surveyor can trust. It also shortens report writing, because the images are already organised by hull zone and position.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What resolution are the photographs?

12 megapixels or higher, supplied as full-resolution JPEG files.

Q2. How far is the camera from the hull?

Usually 0.5 to 1 m in turbid water, to maintain contrast and detail.

Q3. How many photographs are taken in a typical hull survey?

Commonly 200 to 500 images for a full Supramax or Panamax survey, depending on defects found.

Q4. Do photographs include scale?

Yes. A scale bar is placed next to every measured defect.

Q5. Can photographs be used for insurance claims?

Yes, when properly labelled, dated and kept in original form. They are routinely used for P&I and hull and machinery claims.