Brookes Bell “see through” innovation to save time and expense

Brookes Bell announces a major new development for the superyacht industry in the field of Non Destructive Testing (NDT).

A major problem facing both superyacht yards and management companies is the ability to provide an all-encompassing and accurate quote for a refit or rebuild before a complete understanding of the scope of the works is obtained.

The new development from Brookes Bell gives the ability to “see through” teak decks, therefore offering a practical and sensible approach to tackling the problem of hidden corrosion in superyachts.

Probes are used to make a digital survey of steel through teak, paint, cladding, fairing and antifouling, and the result is a visual report of the extent of the corrosion underneath.

This is of huge benefit to the superyacht owner, management company and the shipyard. The ability to know the exact extent of corrosion and material wastage before the whole deck or surface coating is ripped up is invaluable.

The superyacht does not have to be moved or hoisted out of the water. The equipment, although hi-tech, is easily transportable and is a one, or two-man job depending on the vessel’s size. It doesn’t necessarily have to be done in the yard and can easily be undertaken at any time.

A scan image of a stern of a superyacht

A magnetic pulse is fired through the covering to the steel plate below. This briefly creates a magnetic field in the steel, which produces an electrical current. The time taken for the current to decay is relative to the remaining thickness of plate, i.e. the faster the rate of decay the thinner the plate.

The probes can sweep 100mm in length per second and 200mm wide per pass, allowing for vast quantities of data to be generated and analysed. These numbers are represented by a colour palette, providing a map of the deck, its substructure and the thickness of remaining plate. Areas of concern are then easily identifiable, as is the detail needed to assess the severity of the issue.

A cross section visual of how the scanner works

A final report is produced which can be utilised as part of a shipyard or management company quote for a client which, in a refit or rebuild situation, it makes understanding the scope of the work so much easier.