Flooded tunnel inspection without dewatering
Dewatering a tunnel to inspect it costs generation, outage time and risk. AUS-ROV inspects water-filled tunnels in place using the Maestro V8, our proprietary long-range tunnel inspection ROV, designed and built in-house in Australia.
Tunnels we inspect
Our crews inspect long, flooded and hard-to-reach conveyance structures across Australia and the Pacific, with no need to drain them first.
The Maestro V8
The Maestro V8 was developed by AUS-ROV specifically for long-distance flooded tunnels. Its proprietary design gives it the reach, endurance and positioning accuracy that standard inspection ROVs lack.
- Reach: fibre-optic tether over 11 km, for inspection runs beyond 10 km from a single access point
- Endurance: extended-duration onboard power for long missions
- Positioning: integrated navigation that tags every observation with chainage and depth
- Vision: high-definition and ultra-high-definition cameras with high-output lighting
- Sonar and scanning: imaging and profiling sonar for usable data in zero visibility
- Tooling: manipulator, thickness-testing and cathodic-protection capability when the scope requires it
- Depth: rated to 500 m, with the ability to go deeper with modification
How a tunnel inspection works
Scope
We review drawings, access points, outage window and the information you need.
Plan
Safety documentation, site induction and a tailored deployment plan.
Inspect
The ROV enters through an existing access point and records the tunnel end to end.
Report
Chainage-referenced findings and recommendations, ready for your engineers.
What you receive
- Full-length HD video with date, chainage and depth on every frame
- Still-image log of defects and features, each located by chainage and depth
- Observation register of rockfalls, voids, deposits and lining defects, sized and located
- Sonar profiles and 3D models where visibility is poor
- An inspection report reviewed and signed off by industry-recognised engineering professionals
Operating capability
| Single-entry range | 10 km+ (tether over 11 km) |
|---|---|
| Longest completed single-entry inspection | 6 km |
| Depth rating | 500 m; deeper with modification |
| Visibility | Video in clear water; sonar profiling in zero visibility |
| Positioning | Chainage and depth on every observation |
| Tunnel size and flow limits | Assessed per project at scoping |
“Utilising AUS-ROV to carry out a 5 km inspection of our hydro tunnel network by ROV reduced the need to dewater the headrace tunnel, minimising operational impacts whilst reducing the risk of rockfalls. The data provided was vital to detect a substantial rockfall with the data being very accurate.” Hydropower Engineer (Civil Assets), Australian hydro operator
On site
Recent tunnel work
Hydroelectric headrace tunnels
Condition assessment of two water conveyance tunnels, around 6 km inspected.
Hydro tunnel network
Multi-kilometre inspection of flooded headrace and tailrace infrastructure.
Power station tunnels
Sonar profiling and video inspection from surge shaft to intake.
Frequently asked questions
How long a tunnel can you inspect?
The Maestro V8 is capable of single-entry runs beyond 10 km. Our longest completed single-entry inspection is 6 km.
Do you need the tunnel dewatered?
No. We inspect with the tunnel flooded; we only need a suitable access point and a low- or no-flow window.
How do you locate defects?
Every frame and observation is tagged with chainage and depth.
What if visibility is poor?
Sonar keeps collecting usable data in zero visibility.
Can we hire the Maestro V8?
Yes, as a project. The system is always supplied with AUS-ROV's own trained operators; we don't offer dry hire.
Planning a tunnel inspection?
Tell us about the tunnel and what you need to know. We'll respond within one business day.