CreativeChameleon.Media
Diving Off The Dock
Underwater ROV Aquatic Operations & Photography
We also specialize in underwater drone services for:
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Pier & Bulkhead Inspections
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Boat Bottoms, Props, Rudders, Keels
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Research, Recon & Discovery
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Lost Item Identification & Discovery
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Aerial Photography & Video
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Underwater Photography & Video & Discovery
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Search & Rescue
Coverage Area
Located in Gloucester, Virginia, we're centrally located in the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Region. We cover a large area up and down the Chesapeake Bay, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, Delaware, and Coastal North Carolina.
Our services are priced based on the type of mission, time estimated to perform the mission, and it's location. Please contact us for an estimate.
NOTE: We cannot guaranteed you'll find what you're looking for. Each dive is unique and water conditions vary from area to area.
Services
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Boat Hulls, Propellers, Rudders
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Piers, Bulkheads, Partially submerged structures
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Search & Rescue
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Videography
A well-maintained boat not only ensures your safety but also prolongs the life of your vessel, saving you time and money in the long run. Partof that maintenance includes regulary checking the condition and structural integrity of the hull and submerged parts of the boat.
Underwater boat inspections, also known as underwater hull inspections, are crucial for maintaining the safety and efficiency of vessels, and they can be done either by divers or remotely operated vehicles (ROVs). These inspections are often performed in lieu of dry-docking, which is a more time-consuming and costly process.
We provide unmanned underwater ROV services to visually photograph and video boats and structures, and provide you with that information so you can determine if and when you bring your vessel up for painting or repairs.
Selling or Buying A Boat?
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Inspections help identify damage like corrosion, cracks, and other structural weaknesses that can compromise the boat's safety and stability.
Underwater inspections can reveal excessive algae, barnacles, and other marine growth that can reduce fuel efficiency and increase drag.
Many classification societies and flag states require periodic underwater inspections to ensure vessels meet safety and environmental standards.
Early detection of issues through underwater inspections can lead to timely repairs, preventing more extensive and costly damage down the road.
What's checked during an underwater inspection?
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Hull Condition: This includes paint blistering, peeling, corrosion, and any signs of structural damage.
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Propeller and Shaft: The condition of the propeller, shaft seals, and bearings are inspected.
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Fouling: The amount and type of marine growth are assessed.
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Other Submerged Components: Other components like rudders, struts, and external hull features are also checked.
Known as Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) or Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) — spans over a century of innovation, blending military, scientific, and industrial interests. Here's an overview of the key milestones: 1. Early Concepts and Predecessors (Pre-1900s to 1950s) 1800s-1900s: Concepts of autonomous or remotely controlled underwater vehicles began emerging alongside early submarine development. 1864: The Confederate "H.L. Hunley" submarine, while manned, hinted at the potential for unmanned underwater systems. World War II: Underwater mines and simple torpedo guidance systems paved the way for more advanced UUV thinking. 2. Cold War Era and the Birth of UUVs (1950s–1970s) The Cold War prompted rapid development of marine technology. 1957: The U.S. Navy began developing Cable-Controlled Underwater Recovery Vehicles (CURVs) to recover torpedoes and sunken equipment. CURV-I (1961): Became one of the first true ROVs. 1966: CURV-I successfully recovered a lost hydrogen bomb off the coast of Spain — a major proof-of-concept. ROVs began to be used in offshore oil exploration and oceanographic research. 3. Commercial Expansion and Technological Maturity (1980s–2000s) Oil companies drove demand for ROVs in deep-sea operations like pipeline inspections and repairs. Advances: Improved cameras, manipulators, propulsion systems, and fiber-optic controls. Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs): Emerged with built-in navigation and onboard computing. WHOI’s AUV “REMUS” (late 1990s): Widely used for military, environmental, and mapping missions. MIT and Bluefin Robotics also developed early modular AUV platforms. 4. 21st Century: Miniaturization and Diversification (2000s–Present) Military Use: Naval forces deploy UUVs for mine detection, surveillance, and anti-submarine warfare. Programs like the U.S. Navy’s Knifefish, Orca XLUUV, and Sea Hunter represent advanced military-grade UUVs. Scientific Use: Deep-sea exploration by ROVs like Jason and ROV SuBastian, and AUVs like ABE and Nereus. Discovery of deep-sea hydrothermal vents and Titanic exploration. Consumer and Civilian Use: Low-cost underwater drones like OpenROV Trident, Chasing Dory, and BlueROV2 became available to hobbyists and small research teams. AI and Swarming: Modern UUVs incorporate machine learning, autonomous navigation, and collaborative “swarm” capabilities for distributed missions. 5. Notable Missions and Events 2009: Nereus reaches Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench. 2020s: UUVs play growing roles in marine archaeology, climate change studies, underwater infrastructure inspection, and security. Conclusion Underwater drones have evolved from cable-tethered recovery machines to highly intelligent autonomous explorers and defenders of the ocean. Their future lies in enhanced autonomy, extended endurance, and broader civilian accessibility — driving exploration and protection of the oceans more than ever before.
