Underwater Video Inspection Kamsar

Video turns the underwater hull from something unknown into something that can be reviewed, shared and stored. An underwater video inspection in Kamsar gives a ship's owner a visual record of the hull, propeller and rudder at a specific date, and gives charterers and insurers a neutral reference. This page explains how we produce video that is useful as evidence, and not only as a record.

Why Video Is More Than a Picture

A still image shows a moment. A video shows how areas connect, how large a defect is in relation to nearby structures and how deep a dent or scrape runs. When a Diver moves along a hull plate, the viewer sees the plating, the weld seams and any breaks in the coating in order. This continuity makes video much harder to misread than isolated photographs and is the preferred form of evidence for most surveyors.

How We Record

• Each video file begins with the ship's name, date, location and Diver's name, spoken or on screen.
• A time and date overlay runs on all recordings.
• A scale and a reference point, such as a draft mark, are included where possible.
• Long inspections are divided into clearly named files by hull zone.
• A summary index lists the time stamp of each defect or finding.

Before and After Records for Charter Parties

Many Bauxite Carriers load at Kamsar under time or voyage charters that include hull condition clauses. A video taken before a loading call and a second taken after provides a clear comparison. If a ship is later said to have been damaged at the port, the video shows whether the damage existed beforehand. Because the diving contractor is independent, the evidence carries weight with both parties.

Video After an Incident

After a grounding, a collision with a barge, a line fouling the propeller or contact with the berth, video evidence should be recorded as soon as possible. We attend the ship, document the damage and provide a summary the same day. Early documentation helps the P&I club, the owner and the classification society decide on repairs and on the next steps in the claim.

File Delivery and Security

We provide files on secure media or by encrypted transfer, in common formats that play on standard software. Originals are retained unaltered. If a dispute arises, the original files and the log of the diving operation can be produced to show the chain of evidence.

Request a Video Inspection

Send the ship's details, location and purpose of the video, and we will agree the scope and delivery format.

Using Video in Disputes and Claims

Video evidence is especially useful when two parties disagree. If a charterer claims that a ship's hull was fouled on delivery, or an owner claims that a berth caused damage, a dated video of the area settles many questions. The video must be genuine, unedited and traceable. We keep the original files, record who made them and when and can show the chain of custody. This approach protects all parties and avoids the cost of long arguments.

Limits of Video in Turbid Water

Video has limits. In very turbid water, even strong lights reveal only a small area, and a clean look may require cleaning a patch first. We tell the client when conditions limit what the video can show, and we describe the Diver's tactile findings separately, so that the report never claims more than was actually seen. Clear statements about limits make the evidence more credible, not less. Where visibility is poor, we may propose a second dive at a better tide.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Is underwater video accepted by class societies?

Yes. Class surveyors regularly accept time-stamped video as part of UWILD and damage surveys, subject to their own procedures.

Q2. How long should an inspection video be?

A full hull video for a Supramax or Panamax often runs 3 to 6 hours in total, split into files by hull zone.

Q3. What file format is delivered?

Standard MP4 video at 1080p or higher, plus JPEG still images.

Q4. How quickly is video available after the dive?

A preliminary copy can be handed over on the same day. The indexed set follows within 24 to 48 hours.

Q5. Who owns the video?

The client who commissions the work owns the footage. We retain a secure copy for record-keeping unless instructed otherwise.