Applying Thermal Imaging To Metal Boats

Applying Thermal Imaging To Metal Boats

This was a topic that fellow marine surveyor Jack Allinson and I presented at the 2013 IBEX ( International Boatbuilders Exhibition & Conference). I am new to thermal imaging, but over the past year Jack Allinson has proven its worth when it comes to metal boats. Mr. Allinson has been applying thermal imaging to marine surveying since 2003. Here at DBYS I am working on my Level 1 certification and have acquired a Flir Thermal Imager to add to my tool box for my metal boat inspections. Thermal imaging or also known as Infared Thermography, has been used in factory inspections, home inspections and marine surveying of composite boats for years.
When we apply it to metal boats it gives us  "better set of eyes" along with visual inspection and audio gauging. We have found that often where thermal anomalies are found there is trapped moisture and/or corrosion, and paint voids. One of the benefits is the ability to see the structure of the boat and location of the tanks. I find this very helpful to speed up my layout for UT/audio gauge inspection 

  From our presentation:
Infrared thermal imaging and correct interpretations of surface thermal patterns can be a real boon to cost-conscious clients keen on the price point required to find metal wastage, trapped and hidden moisture, and to document the water routes (trails) created when dewatering a vessel. On most UTM jobs, as much as 60% of the work effort goes into planning and implementing where to take the random spot checks for plating thickness. With the right environmental conditions this work can be easily reduced by half by scanning the shell plate with an infrared thermal imager.

 

In the images below the transverse framing and longitudinal stringers are visible.  I will post other photos at a later date that I have been able to locate corrosion.

Steel Brewer Schooner

Steel Dix 47

Steel Dix 47

Aluminum Utility Boat