UWILD: Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Dry-Docking

Meet your survey requirement without lifting the vessel. We carry out the inspection in the water, to class requirements, and document it so it stands as your dry-dock survey.

What is UWILD?

UWILD stands for Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Dry-Docking. It is a hull survey carried out by divers while the vessel stays afloat, done to class requirements so it can stand in for a scheduled dry-dock inspection. The survey is documented with visual records, keeping the vessel compliant while avoiding the cost and downtime of dry-docking.

Why operators choose UWILD

Class rules require the hull to be surveyed at set intervals. Traditionally that meant a dry-dock: book the yard, take the vessel out of service, survey, refloat. For a routine condition survey, that is a heavy price to pay to confirm what is usually good news.

UWILD does the survey in the water instead. Divers inspect the hull, running gear and fittings to the standard the class requirement calls for, and the work is documented so it holds as the survey of record. The vessel keeps trading, the yard slot is saved, and the compliance box is still ticked.

How a UWILD works

How an Octodive UWILD works

Scope to the Requirement

We confirm the class requirement behind the survey and the exact areas and standard it calls for, so the inspection is built to satisfy it.

In-Water Survey

Divers survey the hull, running gear and fittings with the vessel afloat alongside or at anchorage, recording condition throughout.

Documentation

The survey is captured with visual records, organised as evidence of condition to the standard the class society expects.

Survey Record

You receive a documented survey you can submit, with a clear account of condition and anything that needs attention.

What we survey

What a UWILD covers

Hull Below the Waterline

Condition, damage and wear across the surveyed areas.

Running Gear

Propeller, shaft and related fittings.

Rudder and Steering Gear

Condition and clearances.

Sea Chests, Gratings and Openings

The recessed areas a survey must account for.

Visual Documentation

Recorded evidence of condition for the class society.

UWILD questions, answered

What does UWILD stand for?

UWILD stands for Underwater Inspection in Lieu of Dry-Docking. It is a hull survey done by divers while the vessel stays afloat, carried out to class requirements so it can take the place of a scheduled dry-dock inspection and keep the vessel compliant.

How is a UWILD different from a normal hull inspection?

A general hull inspection checks condition for your own planning. A UWILD is carried out to the standard a class requirement calls for and is documented so it can stand as the survey of record, taking the place of the dry-dock inspection rather than just informing it.

Does a UWILD save money compared with dry-docking?

Usually, yes. A UWILD avoids the yard cost and the days of downtime that dry-docking involves, while still meeting the survey requirement. The saving is largest when the survey would otherwise have been the main reason to dry-dock at all.

What do I get at the end of a UWILD?

A documented survey of the hull, running gear and fittings, including visual records of condition. It is organised as evidence for your class society and gives you a clear account of anything that needs attention.

We carry out in-water hull surveys on commercial vessels across South African waters, scoped to the class requirement behind each one and documented so the record holds where it needs to. Each survey is planned around the vessel's schedule and turned around with as little disruption as possible. Backed by over 30 years of marine civil experience and run on site by CEO Rob Bower and GM Andre Schoeman.