Page 26 - SG Nautilus Issue 47.indb

ISSUE 47 PAGE 24

PORT & STARBOARD

reinventing

marine surveys

PSA Aspen was the first
Singapore-registered
harbour tug to undergo
a remote marine survey.
Jon White explores how
this new capability sets a
template for future delivery

Since successfully piloting a remote annual survey aids, the crew onboard the LNG dual-fuel harbour
for a Singapore-fl agged harbour tug, PSA Marine tug communicated effectively and seamlessly with a

(Pte) Ltd has been making plans to further embrace surveyor located at Bureau Veritas’ Singapore offi ce
such digital marine surveys, especially during this for the annual marine survey of classifi cation and
COVID-19 pandemic period. Jointly conducted on statutory requirements. Survey instructions were
June 22 by PSA Marine and Bureau Veritas Marine conveyed ‘live’ by the surveyor, who was able to view
Singapore, and supported by the Maritime and Port and record relevant images and videos in real time.
Authority of Singapore (MPA), the project marked The survey report and archived survey material can be
the fi rst time a Singapore-fl agged harbour tug, the easily retrieved from Bureau Veritas’ electronic system.
PSA Aspen, has undergone a fully accredited annual “We are delighted to partner Bureau Veritas in
survey that was remotely conducted without a piloting the fi rst remote annual marine survey for
surveyor being present onboard. harbour tugs in Singapore,” shares Mr Peter Chew,
The remote survey was made possible by Managing Director of PSA Marine. “The innovative
leveraging smart mobile devices and an optimised technologies used in the remote survey have
live-streaming application. Equipped with these digital enabled PSA Marine to complete our surveys on
schedule despite COVID-19, while ensuring our
harbour tugs continue serving our customers
without delay or disruptions.”
Mr Goh Chung Hun, Director of Shipping and
Marine, MPA, concurs with Mr Chew, and says
that remote surveying not only helps his team to
manage the COVID-19 situation, but also enhances

standards of efficiency, safety, and sustainability
in the ship-survey process. “Since the onset of
COVID-19, MPA has been conducting remote surveys
on Singapore-registered ships,” Mr Goh relates. “We
are encouraged to see this fi rst remote survey for
PSA Marine harbour tug, and will regularly review
technologies as they mature for ship inspections to
be carried out in a transparent and reliable manner.”