Ship operation is not possible without regular maintenance, inspection and certification by international and national regulations. Despite the increasing need for approvals from the Flag State or Classification Societies, the main objective is an efficient operation of the vessel. To achieve this it is important to reduce time and costs involved in carrying out the surveys. The article gives a small insight into the legislative requirements - for the inspection scheme, as required by the various Classification Societies, also discussed other factors that may cause In water survey (IWS), such as ship fouling, hull or propeller damage, etc. Underwater work includes visual inspection, damage and defect location marking, and registration of data using underwater television, measurement of damage and thickness of the shell plating metal. The total hull plating condition, the degree of wear, weld position, coating and protector type protection condition is evaluated. In water surveys are usually done by divers, but already the world's scientists are working on the underwater vehicles, so this work can be performed more quickly and more efficiently, making it easier for divers work. Considering the analysis of ship’s underwater hull monitoring problems equipment and the tendency around the world, the Authors according to the prior direction of states science development – Innovative materials and technologies, start the research on designing underwater vehicle for ship underwater hull survey.