SMH thermal image inspection of a damaged yacht

Ultrasound carbon fibre component quality inspection

Thermal image inspection of damaged carbon fibre mast

SMH & specialist contractor verifying the quality of X-rays (Radiographs) for a steel superyacht hull on owners behalf

SMH thermal imaging detecting water in a composite deck

Ultrasound rudder stock & skin inspection

SMH ultrasound inspection of a keel attachment after serious grounding damage

SMH keel structure ultrasound grid inspection to determine the extent of delamination

Ultrasound damage inspection carbon fibre mast

SMH thermal imaging MTU exhaust system on sea trials

SMH thermal Inspection of a composite 155' superyacht hull to locate hidden bolts within a hull, to assit the classification society

Ultrasound outer skin slam area condition inspection

Saunders Morgan Harris Ltd (NDT) Non Destructive Testing

Both Hugo Morgan-Harris and Duncan Saunders have trained to use specialist NDT equipment and have passed Level 1 & 2 Exams in Ultrasound and Thermal Imaging.

Ultrasound can be used in several key areas, more normally when looking at the thickness of a hull/ mast or any other FRP skin. Ultrasound is also ideal for inspecting hulls for damage, such as delamination/ deep cracks or viods within an FRP laminate. In short the equipment allows us to see deep within a laminate without the need to carry out destructive tests.

Saunders Morgan Harris Ltd are in a unique position whereby we are experienced surveyors who understand where the equipment can and cant be used to achive its full potential. The main areas we perform ultrasound testing is to:

1/Check the thickness of a laminate (boat hull)

This process can be used to determine the thickness of a single hull panel or we can grid out the hull and take multiple thickness readings to allow a full analysis. This is particulary useful for builders in order that we can verify that the hull was laid up to the builders own specification, especially when the quality of the build is in question, or to verify that the hull was laid up correctly when new build processes are used. Hull thickness readings are also very useful for boat owners and insuerers when a problem with the hull arises. In some cases we are asked to determine if a fault with a hull has occured from misuse, heavy weather or from problems that stem from build.

2/Check the quality of a laminate

We can comment on viods, porosity and determine if they are at normal levels for the FRP being examined or if the levels are higher than anticipated, whereby the strengh properties of the laminate have been weakned.

3/Check for damage within a laminate, such as delaminations

Ideal for motor and sailing yacht hulls & FRP parts following damage. Prime examples are keel structures and keel stubs, impact damage on hulls and grounding damage. The ultrasound process can save consideable time and costs when looking at larger more expensive insurance claims and can save having to cut samples into the hull, especially in good laminate.

4/Check the quality of repairs

Following large and expensive repairs ultrasound can be used to confirm the quality of a repair, such as to confirm if a full bond has been achived and to check the the repair specification has been met.

Thermal Imaging works by detecting variations in temperature on an FRP hull or structure using a thermal imaging camera. We are able to detect defects within the laminate or core such as:

1/Moisture within a cored hull or deck or moisture within a monolithic skin (moisture meters do not work on carbon fibre laminates)

2/Delamination/ damage within the cored or monolithic skin.

3/Dry laminate/ poor repairs/ blisters and other anomalies within an FRP skin.

Both active and passive methods of thermal imaging are used pending on the specific project undertaken.