Nolvis, a manufacturer of industrial drones specialized for indoor and confined-space inspection, has announced that its inspection drone Nolvis X1 is being deployed by Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore (BV) for remote inspection activities. The use of Nolvis X1 supports BV’s efforts to deliver safer, more efficient vessel and offshore inspections with its Remote Inspection Techniques (RIT).
Inside large vessels, most of the internal equipment and spaces, such as ballast tanks, cargo holds, boilers and stacks, are confined spaces. These environments are often unlit, inaccessible to satellite positioning systems and may present hazards such as oxygen-deficient atmospheres, toxic gases, high humidity and elevated temperatures. Traditional inspection methods can require extensive preparation, including scaffolding, rope access, re-oxygenation procedures and entry permits, increasing both cost and operational complexity.
To address these challenges, BV has developed RIT as an advanced inspection methodology that combines specialist surveyor expertise with drone-enabled inspections and digital technologies. During an RIT survey, qualified surveyors use drones to capture inspection data from confined and hazardous spaces while retaining full responsibility for the inspection assessment. Technology extends the surveyor’s reach and precision while keeping human expertise at the centre of the decision-making process.
RIT can help reduce confined-space entry, improve inspection efficiency and minimize operational disruption, while providing shipowners and offshore operators with high-quality inspection data to support maintenance and asset-management decisions.
Nolvis is supporting BV’s remote inspection activities through the deployment of Nolvis X1 in several locations, including France, Türkiye, Greece, and Denmark. The imagery and 3D data captured by the Nolvis X1 form a measurable record tied to the geometry of each asset, supporting the creation of structured digital inspection records and long-term asset-integrity management.