Underwater visual survey
Systematic, recorded survey of structures, seabed and lake bed to establish condition and record a baseline.
- Condition and baseline surveys
- Pre- and post-works records
- General visual inspection (GVI)
- 3D photogrammetry models
Tidal Robotics · ROV services
ROV survey, inspection and search for coastal, marine and inland waters
Delivering intelligent subsea survey solutions.
Tidal Robotics Ltd provides remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations from Weymouth, Dorset, backed by nearly two decades of subsea inspection and project experience. We give asset owners, contractors, marinas, water companies and dive teams a clear, recorded view of what is happening below the surface, with live video, accurate observations and a professional report.
- Live video at the surface
- 4K recording and stills
- 3D photogrammetry
- Imaging sonar
- UK-wide coverage
- Expert advice and recommendations
- Site-specific RAMS on every job
- Live support for contractors and dive teams
INSPECTION-CLASS ROVWorking with you
Expert advice, not just equipment
We work alongside you from the first conversation to the final report. Drawing on nearly two decades of subsea inspection, repair and project experience, we recommend the right approach for your site, objectives and budget, and explain what the findings mean for you.
Before
Scope it together
We discuss what you need to know, review the site and constraints, and recommend the most effective method, equipment and level of reporting.
During
Adapt on site
Your team can watch live and direct the inspection with us, and we advise on anything unexpected as it is found.
After
Clear recommendations
We interpret the findings and set out practical next steps: repair, monitoring, further investigation, or no action needed.
ROV operations explained
What is an ROV, and what can it do for you?
A remotely operated vehicle is an unmanned underwater vehicle, flown by a trained pilot from the surface. It is connected to the surface by a tether that carries power, control signals and live video, so everyone on site can see what the ROV sees, as it sees it.
The vehicle
A compact underwater platform with thrusters, a high-definition camera and lighting. Additional sensors and tools can be fitted to suit the task.
The control station
At the surface, the pilot flies the ROV from a controller with a live display. Video, depth and heading are recorded throughout the operation.
The team
A supervisor plans and controls the operation, a pilot flies the vehicle, and a dedicated tether handler manages the tether at all times.
When an ROV is a good fit
- You need to see the condition of an underwater asset quickly
- The area is confined, contaminated, deep or hazardous to access
- You want recorded evidence for maintenance, insurance or handover
- A contractor or dive team needs a pre-works look, live observation or an extra view
- An item needs to be found and its position confirmed
What affects the results
- Visibility. Silt and turbidity limit camera range. Imaging sonar can help where visibility is poor.
- Current and flow. Strong tidal flow or intake flow is planned around, often by working at slack water.
- Access. Launch points, safe working areas and tether routes are agreed before mobilising.
- Obstructions. Debris, lines and structures are identified so the tether can be managed safely.
Services
Survey. Inspect. Locate. Support.
Four core services, each planned around your site, your water conditions and the information you need at the end of the job.
Close visual inspection
Slow, controlled inspection of specific components, with 4K video and stills of every point of interest.
- Close visual inspection (CVI)
- Defect and damage assessment
- Marine growth and scour observation
Search and locate
Planned search patterns using sonar and DVL-aided navigation to find items underwater, log their position and support recovery.
- Lost equipment and moorings
- Obstructions and debris
- Recovery support
Project and operations support
ROV support for asset owners, marine contractors, engineers, surveyors and dive teams, putting live underwater information where it is needed.
- Pre-works and pre-dive site surveys
- Live observation of underwater works
- Post-works verification and handover records
Applications
Where we work
ROV operations suit a wide range of coastal, marine and inland environments. Typical examples include:
Coastal structures
Sea walls, breakwaters, groynes, revetments and coastal defences.
Condition · scour · toe erosion · armour displacementDocks and harbours
Quay walls, piles, fenders, slipways, lock gates and berths.
Wall condition · pile inspection · berth clearanceMarinas
Pontoons, piles, mooring chains, sinkers and berths.
Mooring checks · chain wear · lost itemsVessels
Hulls, running gear, rudders, sea chests and anodes.
Hull condition · fouling · damage surveyReservoirs and dams
Intake towers, draw-off works, screens, spillways and upstream faces.
Intake inspection · screen condition · debrisWater systems
Raw water intakes, outfalls, tanks, chambers and treatment structures.
Outfall survey · tank inspection · blockagesBridges and piers
Piers, abutments, jetties and piled structures in rivers and estuaries.
Scour observation · pile conditionLakes, pools and tanks
Inland waters, leisure pools, test tanks and training facilities.
Leak investigation · condition · trainingCapability
Equipment matched to the task
Equipment is tailored to each client's requirements. We build the ROV spread, sensors and tooling around each project's depth, access, water conditions and deliverables. Our core inspection system is shown below, with further equipment available to suit each project.
Our core system
Deep Trekker PIVOT
A portable, battery-powered inspection ROV with 4K video and six thrusters for precise, stable positioning close to structures.
Our PIVOT is upgraded beyond the base model, and every Tidal Robotics operation includes:
- Imaging sonar for low-visibility work
- Laser scaler for accurate measurement
- Advanced positioning with DVL and GPS
- Dead-reckoning underwater navigation
- 150 m tether for extended reach
Handheld surface controller with a 7-inch display and onboard recording.
305 mDepth rating
4K UHDVideo at 30 fps · 8 MP stills
6Independent thrusters
All-dayOperations, with field-swappable batteries
1,000 lmDimmable LED lighting, expandable to 4,400 lm
150 mTether, neutrally buoyant
Manufacturer’s specifications for the PIVOT, with the 150 m tether as configured for Tidal Robotics. All-day operation is achieved by rotating charged batteries. Capability for each project depends on the equipment and configuration selected.
Advanced imaging
Photogrammetry and sonar
Beyond video, we capture measurable 3D models of underwater structures and see through water where cameras cannot. Together they turn an inspection into accurate, repeatable data.
Photogrammetry
Measurable 3D models from underwater imagery
Photogrammetry builds an accurate 3D model of a structure from hundreds of overlapping high-resolution images. Instead of a video you have to scrub through, you get a model you can rotate, measure and compare over time.
- 3D models of walls, piles, outfalls, hulls, wrecks and seabed features
- Measurements of defects, spalling, scour holes and displacement
- High-resolution orthomosaic images of whole faces of a structure
- Repeat surveys to show change and deterioration over time
- Laser scaling and positioning to give the model true scale
Sonar
Seeing where the camera cannot
Many UK harbours, rivers and reservoirs have poor underwater visibility. Imaging sonar uses sound instead of light, producing a live image of the surroundings in turbid or dark water, well beyond the reach of the camera and lights.
- Imaging (multibeam) sonar: a live, forward-looking view for navigation, searches and approaching targets
- Scanning sonar: 360° sweeps to profile walls, map scour and measure distances around structures
- Search and locate in zero visibility, with targets then confirmed on camera
- Sonar images captured for the report alongside video and stills
What you receive
Clear, usable information
Every project ends with information you can act on, file and share. Measurements are taken against the ROV’s laser scaler, so sizes in your report are accurate rather than estimated.
Video
Recorded footage
Full 4K video of the operation, organised by location or asset.
3D
3D models
Measurable photogrammetry models and orthomosaics of surveyed structures.
Stills
Annotated images
Key stills of findings, labelled with location, time and observation.
Report
Written report
Scope, method, conditions, findings and recommendations in a clear, professional format.
Live
Live viewing
Your team can watch the live feed on site and direct the inspection as it happens.
Reporting tailored to you
Reports are customised to each client’s requirements and budget, from a quick handover to a full engineering-grade record. Format, structure and asset references can follow your own templates and specifications.
Level 1 · Essential
Footage and summary
Recorded video and key stills, with a short summary of what was seen. Fast turnaround at the lowest cost.
- Organised video files
- Selected stills
- One-page findings summary
Level 2 · Standard
Inspection report
A structured written report for maintenance planning and records.
- Findings by location or asset
- Annotated, scaled images
- Condition notes and recommendations
Level 3 · Comprehensive
Detailed technical report
A full record for engineers, insurers and asset managers.
- Measured defects and condition grading
- Photogrammetry models and sonar imagery
- Mark-ups and comparison with previous surveys
Approach
Planned, safe and documented
Every project follows the same five stages, from your first enquiry to the final report.
STAGE 1
Scope and advise
We agree the objectives, location, conditions and deliverables, and recommend the best approach for your budget.
STAGE 2
Plan
A site-specific risk assessment and method statement (RAMS) is issued for your approval.
STAGE 3
Mobilise
Equipment is checked and the team briefed with a toolbox talk on site.
STAGE 4
Operate
The ROV is flown to the agreed plan, with the tether managed throughout and live video at the surface.
STAGE 5
Report
Footage, images and a written report are delivered in the agreed format.
Safety first
Site-specific RAMS, a dedicated tether handler, clear stop-work authority and emergency arrangements agreed with the site owner.
Working with your procedures
We integrate with your site rules, permits and emergency plans, and coordinate with dive teams and other contractors on site.
Documented and accountable
Toolbox talks, daily progress records and a post-job close-out on every project, so you have a clear record of what was done and found.
Experience
Nearly two decades of subsea operations
Tidal Robotics is led by Ian Newton, a former commercial diver and dive supervisor who has managed subsea inspection, repair and construction projects in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia and West Africa. That experience shapes how every ROV project is planned, run and reported.
2007Working in subsea operations since
0Lost-time injuries across his career
5Dive teams managed at once, with 2 dive support vessels
22Offshore platforms inspected in one campaign
$2–10MTypical project values managed
42 mSupervised diving depths on UK infrastructure
Ian Newton
Managing Director · ROV Supervisor
- HSE Commercial Diver (Parts 1, 3 and 4)
- CSWIP 3.2U underwater inspection
- OPITO Offshore Safety Representative
- OGP Client Representative
- Associate, Chartered Management Institute
- Associate, The Welding Institute
- MSc Project Management (in progress), University of Liverpool
- Operational Excellence award from a major energy operator
- 2025 – 2026
Company Site Representative · West Africa
Client-side representative for a major energy operator on major capital projects and offshore construction.
- 2022 – 2025
Project and Operations Manager · UK and international
UK inshore and onshore commercial diving operations, a platform hot-tap project in the Netherlands, an inspection, repair and maintenance (IRM) campaign on offshore platforms in Turkmenistan, and an FPSO mooring system replacement in West Africa.
- 2021 – 2022
Diving Technical Authority · UK and West Africa
Technical authority and tender support for offshore renewables and diving projects, and interface manager between commercial and project teams.
- 2017 – 2021
Diving Unit Head · West Africa
Ran five dive teams, two dive support vessels and two jack-up vessels on a field-wide IRM programme, coordinating vessel positioning and scheduling subsea works.
- 2013 – 2017
Projects Manager to General Manager, Projects · West Africa
Led platform inspection campaigns (ACFM, flooded member detection, UT and CP surveys), jacket reinforcement, riser clamp installation, pipeline repair and CALM buoy inspection for international energy operators.
- 2007 – 2013
Diver, Dive Supervisor and Operations Manager · UK and international
Inspection, repair, salvage and construction diving, including supervising underwater works on a major estuary bridge crossing in Scotland and a port development on the Thames, working alongside ROV and survey teams.
Selected project experience
Projects Ian has managed or delivered during his career with diving and offshore contractors.
UK · Marine civil
Ferry fendering replacement
Three-month, £1m replacement of a ferry fendering system, delivered on time and within budget.
UK · Environmental
Polluting wreck intervention
Six-week subsea intervention project addressing polluting wrecks off Plymouth.
UK · Marina
Marina pile renovation
Six-week, logistically complex renovation of marina piles.
Offshore · Inspection
Platform inspection campaigns
Multi-platform inspection campaigns using CP, UT, flooded member detection and ACFM, plus semi-submersible inspection.
Offshore · Repair
48-inch pipeline repair
Major export pipeline damage rectification by sectional replacement, with flange and spool installation.
Offshore · Moorings
CALM buoy and SPM works
CALM buoy refurbishment and installation, buoy inspection, and SPM hose replacement for an FPSO connection.
North Sea · Construction
Platform hot-tap hook-up
Gas production platform hook-up using a hot-tap system, with tie-in and mattress installation.
Offshore · Pipelines
Route clearance and tie-ins
28 km pipeline route clearance, lay support, debris removal, scour protection and closing spool tie-ins.
What colleagues say
“Ian has consistently demonstrated exceptional skills in managing and delivering a diverse range of complex subsea and marine civil projects from inception to completion.”
“From board rooms to back decks Ian has always led with confidence that was backed up by hours of diligent information gathering.”
“He has excellent IT, interpersonal and multi-tasking skills, and can set, track and deliver complex project deliverables internally and for Clients.”
Full references available on request.
FAQ
Common questions
How deep can you work?
Our core inspection system is rated to 305 m. In practice, most coastal, harbour and inland work is in much shallower water. We confirm the right equipment for your depth at the scoping stage.
What if the water is murky?
Visibility affects camera range. We plan around it, use lighting to get the best images close to structures, and our ROV carries imaging sonar, so we can still navigate, search and locate targets when visibility is very poor.
Can you support our project team or contractors?
Yes. We provide ROV support to asset owners, marine contractors, engineers, surveyors and dive teams, including pre-works surveys, live observation of underwater works and post-works checks. Operations are coordinated with your team under a combined plan.
How do you record where findings are?
Our ROV uses a doppler velocity log (DVL), GPS and dead-reckoning navigation to track its position underwater. Every finding, image and measurement can be tagged with its location, so it can be found again and compared on future surveys.
Do you need power or facilities on site?
Our core system is battery powered, so no generator is required. Batteries are swapped in the field, so operations can run throughout the working day. We need safe access to the water’s edge and an agreed working area.
How long does a typical job take?
Many inspections are completed in a few hours on site. Larger surveys are planned in phases. We give a clear programme when we quote.
Will you provide a RAMS?
Yes. Every project has a site-specific risk assessment and method statement, issued for your approval before we attend.
What will I receive at the end?
Recorded video, annotated stills and a written report with findings and recommendations, in a format agreed at the start.
Which areas do you cover?
We are based in Weymouth, Dorset, and operate nationally across the UK. We mobilise to sites anywhere in the country.
About
Tidal Robotics Ltd
Tidal Robotics Ltd is an ROV services company based in Weymouth, Dorset, led by Managing Director Ian Newton.
We deliver underwater survey, inspection, search and project support using inspection-class ROV systems, giving clients reliable, recorded information about assets and environments below the surface.
Ian brings nearly two decades of subsea experience as a commercial diver, dive supervisor, project manager and client representative, much of it on inspection, repair and maintenance work for international energy operators. He understands what asset owners and dive teams need from an underwater inspection, because he has been on both sides of it.
We operate UK-wide from our Weymouth base.
Our work is built on careful planning, safe operation and clear reporting, so clients can make confident decisions about maintenance, repair and further investigation.
Contact
Discuss a project
Tell us what you need to see underwater, where it is and when. We will come back to you with options and a clear quote.
To help us quote
- Location and type of water: sea, harbour, marina, river, reservoir, tank or pool
- What you need surveyed, inspected or found
- Approximate depth and size of the area
- Access arrangements and any site rules
- Preferred dates and reporting needs