Revolutionising fabric maintenance

Our Fabric Maintenance team aboard a floating liquefied natural gas facility has recently implemented a new robotic technology for deck maintenance. The robot is owned by Monadelphous and brings exciting capabilities and potential benefits for our customers.

The team has started using the remote-controlled robot for water blasting and vacuuming of the decks, which is significantly more efficient than traditional blasting methods and reduces the need to encapsulate the area for environmental reasons.

Fabric Maintenance Supervisor, Tim McNicol said the robot is easy to control and operate, requiring fewer personnel in the area and reducing the line of fire, ultimately improving safety on the platform.

“It’s been excellent to see the impact the robot has had, and the team are safer for it as well as an improved efficiency in the work we are completing,” Tim said.

“The vacuum effect of the robot also allows for the immediate application of the first layer of paint, making the operation even more efficient.

“We have just implemented a second robot on site and it’s revolutionising the way this type of maintenance work is completed.

The robot is equipped with a magnet on the underside, allowing the team to work on the hull of the boat, providing new possibilities for maintenance operations.

“While it is easy to move around when in use, the team does need plywood and a 2-person lift to move it safely from deck to deck due to the magnet,” Tim said.

This is a great example of how the Fabric Maintenance team is committed to delivering excellence and finding new and innovative ways to improve their services.

“This robotic technology sets a new standard for efficiency, safety and environmental responsibility so we are proud to be able to implement this on site,” said Tim.

We look forward to sharing more about the robots as they continue to play a role in fabric maintenance.