Marine Infrastructure Survey  – Straits of Mackinac (Summer 2023)

Walsh Service Solutions executed a high-precision subsea inspection and survey mission involving critical energy infrastructure within the Straits of Mackinac. Operating under significant regulatory oversight, the project utilized advanced autonomous and remote technologies to verify the integrity of twin 5,000-foot pipelines in a complex, deep-water environment.

Project Overview

  • Project Value: $1.78M (Multiyear)

  • Timeline: Summer 2023

  • Location: Straits of Mackinac, Michigan

  • Key Metrics: 30 miles of AUV/ROV survey | 20 miles of CIS survey | Max depth of 295 feet

Project Scope & Operations

  • Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) Deployment: Leveraged AUV technology to conduct high-resolution mapping and data collection over 30 miles of subsea terrain, ensuring comprehensive coverage of the pipeline corridor.

  • ROV Inspection: Utilized Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs) to perform targeted, close-up inspections of critical structural supports, navigating depths of up to 295 feet to satisfy rigorous quality control standards.

  • Close Interval Survey (CIS): Performed 20 miles of specialized CIS missions to assess cathodic protection and corrosion levels, providing essential data for long-term infrastructure health.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Managed all operations under the scrutiny of multiple stakeholders, ensuring every survey met the precise documentation and safety requirements mandated for this sensitive Great Lakes waterway.

The Result

The WSS team successfully completed the multiyear survey phase within the Summer 2023 window, providing the client with a detailed, high-fidelity digital snapshot of their assets. By integrating AUV and CIS data, we delivered a comprehensive integrity report that ensured continued operational safety and met the highest standards of environmental stewardship in the Straits.