Method and apparatus for launching and recovering a remote inspection device

A method for deploying an inspection device into a hazardous environment containing a mass of vaporizable liquid, comprising:

• providing a launching system comprising a closed vessel with an inspection device disposed therein;
• forming a vapor suppression layer on the liquid mass at an access passage of a storage tank;
• attaching the closed vessel of the launching system to the access passage;
• inerting an internal volume of the closed vessel of the launching system;
• opening the closed vessel to the access passage;
• and
• passing the inspection device from the launching system into the liquid mass.

A method for inspecting a storage vessel, comprising:

• injecting a vapor suppression foam into an opening of the storage vessel, the vapor suppression foam forming a vapor suppression layer over a liquid mass within the storage vessel;
• coupling a launching system to the opening of the storage vessel, the launching system containing an inspection device disposed therein;
• inerting a volume between the launching system and the vapor suppression layer by injecting one or more inert gases into the volume;
• opening a closure of the launching system;
• unwinding a cable removably coupled to the inspection device to lower the inspection device into the liquid mass;
• and
• uncoupling the inspection device from the cable when the inspection device is in the storage vessel.