RIT Close-Up Survey
Close-range survey of structure that supports classification-society survey.
Service
Confined-space drone inspection — without sending anyone in
A collision-resilient drone flies into the tank, hold, or void instead of a person, carrying its own lighting and capturing high-resolution visual coverage of the structure inside.
ABS-recognized
Confined & Enclosed-Space RIT Inspection
We fly a collision-resilient drone into tanks and holds so people don’t have to enter them.
Visual inspection of ballast tanks, cargo holds, void spaces, cofferdams, and similar compartments using a collision-resilient UAV — with no human entry required. Remote Inspection Technique (RIT) provides an alternative means of access to spaces that would otherwise demand staging, rope access, or confined-space entry. Performed as an ABS Recognized Service Supplier.
What replaces staging and rope access
Reaching internal structure traditionally means erecting staging, rigging rope access, or sending a person in under a confined-space permit. A collision-resilient UAV covers the same structure instead — its protective cage lets it absorb contact with frames, stringers, and bulkheads and keep flying, and LiDAR-based stabilization lets it navigate where GPS does not reach. The space is still prepared and assessed for safety before flight under standard confined-space procedure; what RIT removes is the need for people to work inside it.
What gets captured on a single deployment
High-resolution visual coverage of the compartment, with every frame tagged to its position in a 3D model of the space. Ultrasonic thickness readings and 3D LiDAR capture can be flown on the same deployment, so visual condition and remaining steel thickness come back from one visit rather than two separate campaigns.
FAQ
Confined-Space Drone Inspection — common questions
Does anyone have to enter the space?
For many inspections, no — the drone performs the survey while the crew stays outside. The space is still prepared and assessed for safety before flight under standard confined-space procedure. RIT reduces confined-space entry significantly; exactly what it removes depends on the scope and the space.
How large a crew comes aboard?
Two people — a pilot and an observer/data monitor. No staging crew, no rope-access team, and no large entry party.
Can the drone fly inside a steel tank where there is no GPS?
Yes. Stabilization is LiDAR-based (SLAM) rather than satellite-based, so the aircraft navigates and holds position inside steel tanks and holds where GPS does not exist. Onboard lighting covers compartments with no light of their own.
Do you fly outdoors or around the outside of the hull?
No. Novatrace operations are indoor and confined-space only — internal compartments of ships and offshore structures. We do not conduct outdoor or open-air flight operations.
Related
Other services
Most inspections combine several of these on a single deployment into the space.
Hull Gauging / Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement
We measure how much steel is left in the structure to assess corrosion and wear.
3D LiDAR Point-Cloud Capture
Dense 3D scans of the inside of a space — a navigable digital twin.
Inspection Reporting & Data Deliverables
Clear, organized reports and data packages owners and surveyors can rely on.
Keep your people out of confined spaces
Talk to our team about remote inspection of your tanks, holds, and internal structure.