Pier Pilings Inspection (PPI) Overview

The Pier Pilings Inspection operation is a technique that can be used to visually inspect or search individual or groups of pier pilings. The purpose for this procedure is to maximize the chances of success and ensure that each pier piling is systematically inspected so there is no question that the entire pier area has been completely inspected or searched.

The recommendations for this SOP come from some of the world's leading experts in the field and have been formulated after many hours of field experience. However, they should be considered a starting point since every possible scenario cannot be anticipated. Be prepared to make adjustments and fine tune the settings to adapt these recommendations to your specific circumstances and environment.

General Concept

The Pier Pilings Inspection consists of two main operations:

1. Inspecting an individual piling circumferentially from surface to seafloor.
   • This can be done in one of two ways:
     1. By inspecting the complete circumference and then changing to different depths as determined by the visibility and length of the piling.
     2. By inspecting using vertical passes spaced circumferentially around the piling.
        • This may be better for pilings that have cross bracing structures.
2. Navigating from piling to piling without putting undue stress on the tether or getting it tangled.

This SOP includes procedures for all of the above approaches.

Applicability

The Pier Pilings Inspection operation is applicable to piers that consist of pilings. Pier wall structures should be searched using the Piling Wall Inspection Standard Operating Procedure.

Prerequisites

Participants in a Pier Pilings Inspection should be familiar with operating a VideoRay Defender running the Greensea Workspace control system. For more information about these products, see the Education Resources Library.

Searching for Threats or Hazards

If conducting a Pier Piling Inspection for the purpose of ensuring there are no threats or hazards in the pier area, it may be required to clear an the bottom area around the pilings.

There are two schools of thought about which part to search first, the pier pilings or the bottom.

• If you will be operating from the pier, it is best to clear the pier pilings first to avoid the ROV or tether from contacting a threat device on the pier while searching the bottom. This can prevent accidentally contacting something on the bottom while navigating the ROV to observe the pier pilings.

• If you will be operating from a vessel, it makes more sense to clear the bottom before starting to search the pier. The tether is less likely to contact the pier when operating from a vessel, so clearing the bottom first does not represent a risk of accidentally contacting a threat on the pier.

Tether management is critical when searching for threats or when operating in an area that may have other vessel traffic. Exercise caution when managing the tether in such situations.