Function
Identify and address corrosion, structural and floating substructure subsystem problems above and below the water line on the floating substructure.
Who supplies them
CWind, Deutsche Windtechnik, Fugro, Global Wind Service, Mistras, Offtech Wind and Strainstall.
Key facts
Monitoring, inspection, and minor repair activities focus on the structural integrity of the substructure, the secondary steelwork, its corrosion protection and the various subsystems used on the floating substructure (see B.2 for further information). This is in addition to statutory inspections.
They are managed by the wind farm owner, although they are often subcontracted to a specialist third party provider.
On some sites, cleaning is needed to remove seabird guano, which can be a serious health and safety hazard.
Routine surveys are likely to be undertaken in the first two years but thereafter on a less frequent basis across the wind farm, until the rate of defects observed justifies more frequent monitoring and inspection. Inspection areas include:
- Corrosion protection systems
- External and internal surfaces
- Joints
- Mooring attachment points
- Subsystems (for example ballasting, auxiliary lights and power systems), and
Activity needing subsea inspections are generally carried out using ROVs. Diving is required only in exceptional circumstances and efforts are being made to maximise the use of safer, remote techniques.