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UAVOffshoreVisual

Drone Visual
Inspection

Offshore-certified UAV platforms that capture high-resolution imagery and real-time data, without scaffolding, rope access, or putting anyone at height.

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What We Do

UAV Inspection for the Toughest Environments

Osprey deploys offshore-certified drones to inspect structures that are difficult, dangerous or costly to reach by conventional means.

All pilots hold valid offshore safety certifications (BOSIET, HLO, HUET) and are qualified for operations on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

High-resolution cameras capture millimetre-level detail of corrosion, cracks, coating damage and structural deformation.

Structured digital reports with annotated imagery and prioritised findings after every campaign.

Reduces inspection time by up to 80% compared to traditional rope access or scaffolding methods.

Key Benefits

Why It Matters

80%

Faster Inspection

Drone campaigns typically wrap up in a fraction of the time scaffolding or rope access would take. Less downtime on the asset.

Zero

Personnel at Height

Nobody has to climb, rope up or step into a hazardous area, which takes most of the incident risk out of the job.

4K

High-Resolution Imagery

4K video and high-resolution stills pick up surface anomalies you'd miss from a conventional inspection position.

Digital

Structured Reporting

Digital reports with annotated findings, GPS-tagged imagery and prioritised recommendations.

NCS

Offshore Certified

All pilots and operators certified for NCS operations with BOSIET, HLO and HUET qualifications.

Live

Real-Time Streaming

Onshore engineers watch the live feed as we fly, so they can weigh in without getting on a helicopter.

Value Delivered

What clients save

80% faster
vs. rope access
Same coverage, fraction of the time
0 personnel at height
Eliminated risk
No scaffolding, no rope, no climb
No scaffold lead-time
Single-day mobilisation
Skip permit-to-build and rope access prep
Applications

Where We Deploy

01

Offshore Oil & Gas Platforms

Topside structures, flare towers, pressure vessels, pipe racks, cranes and living quarters on fixed and floating installations.

02

Industrial Facilities

Refineries, process plants, storage tanks, chimneys, cooling towers and other tall or inaccessible industrial structures.

03

Bridges & Infrastructure

Underside inspection of bridges, viaducts and elevated structures without lane closures or scaffolding.

04

Marine & Port Assets

Vessel superstructure, quay walls, fenders, mooring dolphins and port infrastructure.

05

Wind Farms

Turbine towers, nacelles and wind farm support infrastructure. Blade inspection is handled by our dedicated service.

06

Construction Monitoring

Progress documentation, volumetric surveys and as-built verification during construction and installation campaigns.

Access Method

Which access method fits your asset?

Three quick questions give you a starting recommendation. The reference table below covers the same ground without the form, if you'd rather just read it.

Recommended method
Typical mobilisation
Confirm before flying
Quick reference by asset type — same recommendations the tool above generates
Asset type Recommended method Typical mobilisation Confirm before flying
Offshore platformDrone visual inspection, BOSIET/HUET-certified pilotsOne day, weather-dependentSIMOPS window and OIM sign-off
Industrial facility (onshore)Drone visual inspectionSame day to one daySite flight permission and any ATEX zone rules
Bridge / infrastructureDrone visual inspectionSame dayAny lane closure or waterway authority permit
Wind turbineDedicated wind turbine blade inspectionOne day per turbine clusterTurbine lockout status and operator clearance
Tank (interior)Confined space drone inspection, not open-air visualSame day once gas-freedAtmosphere check and permit-to-work

Larger assets and sites that need to stay operational during the flight generally add mobilisation time for coordination — SIMOPS scheduling offshore, or a job safety analysis and agreed flight window onshore. None of this affects pricing, which depends on scope and is quoted separately.

Common Questions

FAQ

How does drone inspection compare to rope access?

Drone inspection is typically about 80% faster than rope access for the same coverage, and nobody has to go up. You also get digital records — photos, video, georeferenced findings — that rope access simply doesn't produce. For most surface-condition work like corrosion, coating and structural deformation, drone footage matches what rope access gives you, often better.

We saw the gap in practice on Deepsea Bergen, a semi-submersible drilling rig Odfjell Drilling operates on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. We documented the derrick, crane boom and helideck underside while the rig stayed in production, coordinating every flight with the OIM and platform crew inside approved SIMOPS windows. No production stop, no personnel at height, and the imagery met the NS 415 visual-structural-assessment standard. Read the full project →

Can you inspect during ongoing operations (SIMOPS)?

Yes. SIMOPS is part of every offshore campaign. We coordinate with the OIM and platform crew, develop a job safety analysis, and operate within agreed flight windows. Many campaigns proceed with zero production stoppage.

What deliverables do clients receive?

You get a structured inspection report: GPS-referenced photographs, 4K video, a defect register with severity ratings, annotated findings and prioritised maintenance recommendations. A 3D photogrammetry model of the inspected zones is available on request.

Are your pilots certified for offshore work?

Yes. All offshore-deployed pilots hold valid BOSIET (offshore survival), HUET (helicopter underwater escape), HLO/MOB and offshore medical certificates. Drone operations under EASA Specific Category and BVLOS approval.

Choosing a Method

Drone vs. Rope Access vs. Scaffolding

Comparison of drone inspection, rope access and scaffolding across access, mobilisation and documentation.
MetricDroneRope AccessScaffolding
Personnel at heightNoneYesYes, during erection
MobilisationOne dayDaysWeeks, with permit
Operations during inspectionCan continue (SIMOPS)Often restrictedOften halted
Digital documentation4K video, GPS-tagged stills, defect registerManual notes and photosManual notes and photos
Best forSurface condition: corrosion, coating, deformationWork requiring physical contactExtended work at one location
LimitationNo physical contact or repairRisk, time, access planningLead time, cost, footprint

Drone inspection for your asset?

Tell us the asset, location and inspection scope. We'll quote based on access complexity and reporting requirements.