b'FOGHORN FOCUS Thats really compellinginspections of hulls, as well as of docks and port infrastruc-ture, pipelines, and other subsea structures. With vessels to our operators becausetheyveinspected,Loeflersaidtheyregularlyfindlines around propellers which can sometimes be removed with its something they can dotheHullbot.Incasesofsuspecteddamage,underwater robots allow for immediate inspections without the need today, literally right now.toorganizeadiver.Inspectionscanalsobedonemore frequently and can be used for purposes such as building Theres a technology a 3D model of a hull. Loefler noted these models can be thats right there, right valuable for survey requirements and doing measurements and analysis without lifting the vessel out of the water. below the waterlineIn discussing the use of underwater robots in inspections, heres an opportunity toI asked if his team has worked with the U.S. Coast Guard. Loefler said that they have done a demonstration for them. keep their hull clean. Theyre also working with other regulatory groups such as the Washington State Department of Ecology and the TOM LOEFLER, HULLBOT Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. They currently work with the equivalent agencies in their home country of Australia. few months with divers. However, for more of the industry to regularly operate on such frequent cleaning schedules, theIn addition to cleanings and inspections, underwater ro-growing underwater robotics industry will be necessary. bots collect data that can be invaluable to operators. There are photos and videos of the physical state of the ship over The cost of divers is not the only limitation for underwa- time. Information can be gathered on fuel consumption ter hull cleanings. It can be dangerous for the divers dueand trends within an operation, down to such specifics as to risks associated with the marine environment and toxicper second per engine fuel rates. Data is contributing to a coatings that are sometimes used in the marine industry.change of mindset in the maritime industry, helping to drive Robots can also operate in a wider range of temperaturesthe adoption of new and advancing technologies which can and depths and for more extended periods of time.offer operators more information than ever before.Underwater hull cleanings can also be beneficial as theyFor their part, Hullbot is focused on working specifically can be done without disrupting service or requiring thewith the passenger vessel industry. Loefler said that theyve vessel to be dry docked. As Loefler put it, What we canhad great experiences with this sector of the marine industry, do is 10% or more in efficiency on existing boats withoutdescribing it as, in their opinion, the most collaborative and changes to operations, without changing the schedule, oropen part of the marine industry. Theyve worked on older any new staffing, with no upfront costs. Its delivered as avessels and newer vessels, electric and hybrid electric vessels, turnkey solution as a service. He continued, Thats reallyhydrofoils, mono hulls, catamarans, and the list goes on. compelling to our operators because its something they can do today, literally right now. Theres a technology thatsWhat lies ahead for the Hullbot team is the target of 100% right there, right below the waterlineheres an opportu- autonomy for their robots. Theyve created a pod which is nity to keep their hull clean. And theyre all dirty. Everybasically a house for the robot that can be mounted on the boat weve visited, theres been an opportunity to reducevessel or dock. The robot will deploy and clean the vessel slime fouling, and slime fouling has a massive impact. as frequently as every day and be able to do it autonomous-ly. Thats their plan. You could finish work at night, head Thecapabilitiesofunderwaterrobotsleadtotheirusehome, and come back the next morning to a vessel with a not only in hull cleaning, but for performing underwaterclean hull and smoother sailing ahead.FOGHORN 24'