Methods and systems for remote opening and monitoring of an access hatch

A system for remotely opening an access hatch of a storage tank, comprising:

• an elongate arm having a proximal end configured to be operatively coupled to a lid of the access hatch, the access hatch further including a latch configured to secure the lid to a base of the access hatch in a closed position;
• a pull cable attachable to a distal end of the elongate arm and being extendable toward a ground adjacent the storage tank;
• and
• a latching cable attachable to the latch and being extendable toward the ground adjacent the storage tank,
• wherein pulling on the pull cable from the ground releases the latch and allows the lid to pivot from the closed position to an open position,
• wherein pulling on the pull cable from the ground when the lid is in the open position moves the lid back to the closed position, and
• wherein pulling on the latching cable when the lid is in the closed position actuates the latch to secure the lid to the base in the closed position.

A method of operating an access hatch of a storage tank, comprising:

• locating and manually pulling on a pull cable attached to an elongate arm operatively coupled to a lid of the access hatch and thereby placing a downward load on the elongate arm;
• transmitting the downward load on the elongate arm to the lid and thereby urging the lid toward a base of the access hatch;
• manually pulling on a latching cable attached to a latch pivotably mounted to the lid and thereby placing a downward load on the latch;
• and
• pivoting the latch toward a latched position and thereby engaging a catch of the latch with a pin of the base and thereby securing the access hatch in a closed position.