Reliance on remote capability surged as COVID-19 restricted global movement. Access challenges have since been eased cautiously, but with certain travel restrictions still in place, we take a look at a number of recent remote survey success stories.
Throughout 2020, LR has grown its remote survey offering to support our customers, and now, 1 in 3 of the 30,000+ surveys we perform each year is completed without physical attendance. When used in appropriate scenarios, remote surveys hold great value for LR and our clients as a time-efficient solution when vessels are inaccessible or extremely remote. By offering streamlined decision-making through real-time livestreams with surveyors and other stakeholders including flag States, remote surveyors enable immediate feedback and transparency.
At the end of October, LR surveyors in Singapore carried out a remote renewal survey on a Singapore-flagged yacht located in Phuket, Thailand. A remote solution was required as the vessel’s certificate validity was expiring, and due to travel restrictions, the vessel was still inaccessible.
Following engagement with the yacht owner’s representative and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) team, all parties downloaded the LR Remote app so that they could view the survey livestream in real-time. The full renewal remote survey was then carried out using the LR Remote app to livestream and record videos/photos, which provided a complete picture of the vessel for the LR surveyors to review.
LR received MPA’s support for remote surveying following a demonstration of its capabilities. MPA accepted LR’s robust procedures and surveyor guidelines for performing remote surveys, which led to the approval for LR to carry out remote surveys for Singapore-registered pleasure craft on a case-by-case basis.
"The industry has just scratched the surface of what is possible with remote surveying techniques, but we have already seen many advantages."
LR’s remote surveying capability has been of great assistance to MPA. With many pleasure craft operating outside the Port of Singapore, there was a clear need for a remote solution given current travel restrictions and the approaching expiry of the validity of pleasure craft certificates.
LR has carried out hundreds of remote surveys in South East Asia and has trained 15 surveyors in the region to carry out remote surveys on pleasure craft specifically, and to date has completed remote surveys on three yachts (two in Thailand and one in Turkey), with a further five in the pipeline.
Mr Cheah Aun Aun, Deputy Director of Shipping and Marine, MPA, said: “Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, MPA has been consistently exploring and reviewing the technologies and operating models involved in remote survey aboard Singapore-registered ships (SRS). MPA’s strong commitment to digitalisation has supported LR in combining its long-standing technical expertise with cutting-edge tools and technologies. Despite initial challenges, we have worked closely with our stakeholders, such as Recognised Organisation and SRS operators, to carry out successful remote surveys on a range of vessels. MPA will continue to support and review remote survey capabilities given that the trend of remote surveying is likely to persist as a new normal in the shipping industry.”
Chris Willsher, LR’s Product Manager for Compliance Systems, said: “Thanks to the collaborative capabilities of the LR Remote app and the experience of our remote survey specialists, MPA Singapore has gained substantial confidence in our remote surveying capabilities. LR envisages that traditional physical attendance surveys will become enhanced and supplemented by remote surveys and data, using digital technology.”
Full annual survey completed remotely in Canada
At the beginning of October, LR’s Marine & Offshore team in the Americas completed a fully credited Class and Statutory Annual Survey for the vessel CSL ACADIAN using the LR Remote app. This is the first ever full annual survey that LR has completed remotely. CSL ACADIAN is a Panamax self-discharging bulk carrier owned by the CSL Group and managed by V.Ships USA, currently in transhipment operations on the Liberian coast.
After numerous failed attempts to arrange attendance to the vessel due to the ongoing travel restrictions, a prompt and thorough solution was required. The remote survey ensured that our surveyors could continue to support the owners in maintaining the safety and compliance of their vessel.
Gary Gallagher, LR Account Manager, North America North East, said: “This survey was the result of tremendous cooperation between the vessel management, class society and the Liberia flag Administration. It is a pivotal leap forward and this proactive approach to such challenging circumstances demonstrates LR’s ability to go above and beyond in delivering our services to keep our customers and the industry running safely and efficiently.”
Subodh Rebala, General Manager, V.Ships USA, said: “On behalf of V.Ships USA and CSL teams I would like to express our gratitude to the LR Teams that made this possibility a reality. It is indeed a proud moment for us to be sharing this historic first with LR. This has been a result of the concerted effort by LR, Onboard Management Team and V.Ships. It was indeed a great job done by all three teams involved. We expect this approach to get remote surveys done using technology is here to stay, and while staying within the rules & regulations, will continue post COVID.”
