IR Proves that No Captain Should be without a Firstmate ©:

When a marine surveyor examines a vessel, they rely upon previous experience and what they can see, hear and feel. Now, thermal imaging lets marine surveyors take their inspection one step further, making it possible to detect problems that may have gone unnoticed by the naked eye. Infrared images are an effective tool in extending the marine surveyor’s visual abilities. They enhance the inspection, providing insight into the structural, mechanical and electrical systems on board.

Though a visual inspection confirmed that the electrical wires on a 40 foot boat were intact and showed no signs of overheating, an IR inspection indicated that one wire was so hot that it was causing the attached magnetic circuit breaker to trip intermittently. Because the electrical problem was not obvious to the naked eye, visual documentation helped the surveyor to explain the problem to the boat’s owner and justify needed repairs.

IR’s ability to capture precise radiometric images makes it a valuable tool for both commercial and recreational marine surveys. Using a ThermaCam, a surveyor can detect and confirm delamination, surface leaks, moisture accumulation and fractures or cracks. After repairs, an inspection can verify that electrical, mechanical and structural problems have been corrected, and that the vessel is seaworthy. A ThermaCam Firstmate cannot replace years of marine experience, but for experienced surveyors, it is truly the wave of the future.

Camera Used: ThermaCam Firstmate E4

Courtesy of John Allinson, J.N Allinson Associates, in Inframation Proceedings 2004

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