A leading North-east business which specialises in thermal imaging solutions for the manufacturing and construction sectors was close to making an explosive discovery on a local beach last week.
Leak Heat, based in Cruden Bay, discovered what was suspected to be a sea mine near the company’s headquarters, whilst taking photographs for an environmental survey on the beach using a thermal imaging device.
The metal object, which looked similar to a mine from World War I or II, was discovered when director of Leak Heat, Christopher Harvey, was testing out a new system of environment scanning whilst out on a project. He immediately developed the images captured of the metal object into a digital 3D model in order to analyse and identify what the object was.
The company, which operates nationally and internationally, immediately raised the alarm with the police who liaised closely with the bomb squad down in the Boarders.
After closing off part of the beach near Cruden Bay Golf Course for several hours, the site was given the all clear due to the bomb squad reviewing Mr Harvey’s 3D model online, carrying out a number of careful tests until they were confident that the discovery was a buoy and not a mine.
Director of Leak Heat, Christopher Harvey, said: “Initially I thought the metal object was old discarded fishing gear or “bobbin”, however, in these situations it really is more advisable to be better safe than sorry”.
“Mines have been known to wash ashore as many were laid around the Moray Firth during the World Wars, so it is important to take precautions when dealing with this kind of unknown debris”. “I took 30 images with our prototype method and processed the images as quickly as possible to construct a 3D model of the object”.
“Due to the high quality 3D modelling resources we use, the bomb squad were able to look around the whole model remotely online whilst the police on the ground could feedback live information”. This allowed accurate decisions to be made quickly and, in this case, it turned out to be a redundant trawl gear.
“After the police had given me a lift home they thanked me for alerting them on the situation”, which was dealt with rather swiftly as reported. The technology we use is state-of-the-art and being able to provide remote analysis and feedback immediately to the bomb squad was an incredible step forward in this industry. “The quick development of the 3D model allowed a decision to be made promptly in what could have been a very time sensitive situation”.
Leak Heat, which specialises in thermographic inspection of buildings, mechanical, electrical equipment, and produces state-of-the-art 3D models for dedicated projects, operates immediately across Scotland.
The company has also carried out work in the Summer Isles, Arran, Shetland and Wick, and also specialises in international offshore assistance.
For more information on Leak Heat call 07718785380 or visit http://www.leakheat.com.