What offshore wind survey and inspection services does DeepOcean provide?

DeepOcean delivers offshore wind survey and inspection services across the full asset lifecycle, from pre-construction development through to operations and decommissioning. Pre-construction capability includes geophysical and geotechnical investigation, UXO Survey, Identification & Clearance route and site surveys, environmental assessment and geohazard analysis. During construction, DeepOcean supports projects with pre-lay survey, installation support, metrology and, trenching support as-built verification. In the operational phase, our teams deliver cable inspection and burial assessment, structural and foundation surveys, scour monitoring and cathodic protection inspection, alongside decommissioning survey and seabed clearance services.

Does DeepOcean provide UXO survey services for offshore wind projects?

Yes. UXO survey & identification forms a core part of DeepOcean's pre-construction offshore wind survey capabilities, utilising both multiple array magnetometer and acoustic techniques. We have experience supporting UXO ALARP survey scopes across established European offshore wind markets, where UXO assessment and clearance are often mandatory elements of project development. DeepOcean can deliver UXO survey and identification as a standalone scope or as part of a wider pre-construction survey campaign, depending on project requirements.

Can DeepOcean support both pre-construction survey and operational inspection on the same project?

Yes, and that continuity is one of the key advantages of DeepOcean's lifecycle approach. The teams and data supporting pre-construction survey inform installation support and as-built verification, which then feeds directly into operational inspection and maintenance planning. Because survey knowledge, seabed data and asset records remain within DeepOcean rather than being transferred between multiple contractors, operational inspection campaigns can be planned more efficiently and anomalies assessed against existing site information, reducing repeat survey requirements, operational risk and response time.

What vessels and technology does DeepOcean use for offshore wind survey and inspection?

DeepOcean's offshore survey capability is supported by a dedicated fleet of survey vessels, more than 50 ROV systems and the FAST ROV, a purpose-built, high-speed inspection system permanently mobilised aboard the Edda Flora. Designed for efficient cable and pipeline inspection at scale, the FAST ROV has completed more than 54,000km of survey work since 2015. Alongside the FAST ROV, DeepOcean's wider fleet provides a range of survey and inspection capabilities. The Glomar Supporter, which joined the fleet in 2026, is equipped with towed survey sensors for acquiring geophysical site data, as well as a work-class ROV for survey and inspection tasks and capabilities for shallow geotechnical solutions. The USV Challenger, launched in 2025, adds a further dimension to DeepOcean's remote survey and inspection capability. The 24m remotely operated vessel is equipped with an integrated electric Argus WROV, 1,500m working depth and DP station-keeping capabilities, with remote operations supported by multiple communication systems and onboard cameras. Its hybrid battery system and fuel-efficient generators also support lower-emission offshore operations. Together with DeepOcean's digital data acquisition, remote survey capabilities and Remote Operations Centre, this vessel and technology portfolio enables efficient data collection and processing, reduces offshore personnel exposure and supports operational efficiency across survey campaigns.

USV Challenger

Yellow underwater remotely operated vehicle (ROV) named DEEPOCEAN suspended above the calm sea from a vessel at sunset.

Why the USV Challenger?

For over 25 years, DeepOcean has led subsea innovation, delivering deepwater engineering, heavy-lift operations, and complex offshore projects worldwide. Now our uncrewed, remote and autonomous systems enable faster, safer, and smarter subsea operations.

Operates up to 30/60 days offshore, controlled from onshore.

Remote, Uncrewed Operations

Reduce vessel
mobilization and offshore manning costs.

Lower Operational Costs

Hybrid propulsion cuts emissions by over 90% per operation.

90% CO₂ Reduction

Currently equipped with a 1,500m depth-rated class ROV and advanced survey tools,

Subsea intervention capabilities

Next generation subsea services

The USV Challenger is an uncrewed vessel designed as a versatile, low-emission maritime workhorse.

A light intervention, inspection and survey support vessel supporting all the clients needs across the ocean industries.

Two industrial workers wearing yellow hard hats and reflective safety vests review information on a digital tablet in a factory setting with machinery in the background.

Collaborating to redefine subsea survey and inspection

DeepOcean is working with global operators to transition subsea survey and inspection activities to USV platforms, sharing a clear ambition to move subsea services operations to uncrewed vessels.

USV at a glance

Length: 24 m
Endurance: 30/60 days
Transit speed: (SPEC SHEET)
Service speed: (SPEC SHEET)
ROV Depth Rating: 1,500 m
Propulsion: hybrid diesel-electric battery
Operated from Remote Operating Centre (ROC) in Norway

Specifications sheet

Flexible deployment platform

Designed for deployment flexibility, the USV Challenger features a patented launch and recovery system (LARS) and open stern hangar. This enables the integration of sensor suites and subsea systems tailored to specific project requirements.

Work class ROV
Towed MBE/SSS
Magnetometer
Other

Capabilities across ocean industries

The USV Challenger is ready to support projects within all ocean industries:

Oil and gas
Offshore renewables
Defense
Aqua-farming
Fiber-optics
Deep sea minerals

CONTACT

Ready to discuss how the USV can support your projects?

Whether you are evaluating new ways of working using new technology or looking into remote capabilities, DeepOcean can support you with a tailored solution.

Group Business Development Director

Survey & Inspection

renewables@deepoceangroup.com