Specialised service · Special missions
Search & Recovery Underwater
Professional underwater search operations with ROV and sonar: location, verification and recovery preparation with documented search strategy. Objective, traceable, evidence-grade — for authorities, insurers, expert witnesses and operator contexts.
Problem & Triggers
When an object, component or piece of equipment is lost underwater, the client faces the same question as the insurer or the responsible authority: where does the object lie, in what state, and can its position be documented so that recovery can be planned and the result later traced?
ScanSustain is engaged in three typical contexts: (1) searches for lost objects, components or measurement equipment; (2) verification and documentation of a known find position before planned recovery; (3) evidence preservation after an event (casualty, damage, incident) where the state before recovery must be fixed audit-grade.
Method & Technology
We work with raster-based search strategies: the target area is divided into defined cells that are systematically traversed. Coverage of every cell is logged with position and timestamp — so it is demonstrable which area was surveyed when and with which sensor. That is what distinguishes a documented search from uncontrolled wandering.
Depending on visibility and target size we combine ROV Inspection and Sonar & Scanning. Sonar delivers the wide-area detection, the ROV camera visually verifies each candidate. Find position is documented with coordinate, visual record and timestamp — and remains unchanged until a recovery decision is made.
Typical Applications
- Searches for lost tools, components or measurement equipment in industrial or hydraulic contexts
- Localisation of found objects to prepare recovery
- Verification of a known find position with audit-grade positional description
- Evidence preservation after casualty, leakage or incident (as-is state before recovery)
- Systematic survey of a defined water section after an event
- Documented pre-reconnaissance before diver deployment to reduce effort
Search & Recovery Mission Workflow
- Commission clarification
Target object, known facts, suspected area, legal or insurance context and timeframe are captured in a structured briefing. - Search strategy
Definition of raster or transects, sensor selection (sonar / ROV / combined), risk check and safety concept. - Systematic deployment
Traversal of all planned cells with documented coverage. Every candidate point is visually verified and positioned. - Find & position documentation
Position, state, surroundings and accessibility of the find are recorded — as a basis for the recovery decision. - Handover & optional recovery support
Documented findings handed to client, authority or response team. On request we support coordinated recovery with ROV gripper.
What You Receive
Search protocol
Documented raster with coverage record, time and position trail per cell.
Find report
Position, state, surroundings and identification features of every relevant find with images and coordinates.
Evidence data package
Unaltered raw data (video, sonar, telemetry) with timestamp — evidence-grade for insurers, expert witnesses and authorities.
Benefits for the Client
- Objective, reproducible search instead of improvised diver attempts
- Documented coverage — demonstrable which areas were checked
- No personnel risk during first-contact underwater
- Evidence basis for insurers, expert witnesses, authorities and court
- Clear basis for recovery decision and planning
- Option for coordinated recovery with ROV gripper or handover to dive team
Relevant Sectors
Search & recovery is typically relevant in these contexts:
Adjacent Services
Search & recovery is not a standard inspection. If a known-damage structural inspection is required, ROV Inspection is the right service. If a large water area should be acoustically scanned without a specific target, Sonar & Scanning is the correct path. Search & recovery combines both methods with a targeted, documented search logic and a find/recovery dimension.
Frequently Asked Questions
From what water size is an ROV search worthwhile?
It depends less on area than on visibility and target size. Even a typical harbour basin, a river section or an industrial reservoir yields reproducible results from a documented ROV search.
Does ScanSustain recover finds itself?
For smaller items we support recovery directly with an ROV gripper. For larger or complex objects we coordinate recovery with a dive team or specialised partners — our role then is documented location, verification and evidence preservation.
Are the recordings admissible in court?
Raw data is delivered with timestamp, position data and unaltered method protocol. The format is common for expert opinions and court proceedings — legal assessment is with the reviewing body.
How is it demonstrated that the entire search area was covered?
Every search cell is logged with time, position and sensor signal. The search protocol shows coverage fully — gaps are transparently shown and can be targeted for follow-up.
Are short-notice deployments possible?
For acute events (casualty, time-critical loss) we aim for deployment within 24–48 hours. Actual availability depends on location, event type and ongoing missions.
Related pages
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