Reduce risk and maintain compliance with our specialist risk management services.
We’re proud to be a leading provider of complete life cycle risk management solutions. From ensuring asset safety and legal compliance with our thorough engineering inspections to driving operational efficiency with our specialist non-destructive testing services, (and much more in between), we’re proud of the long-lasting partnerships we have formed with our customers over the last 160 years, based on the value of our solutions.
Underwater Inspections
Assess the integrity and stability of structures submerged in water with BES Group’s Underwater Inspection service.
To provide accurate, reliable, and actionable insights about underwater structures and elements, we utilize commercial diving and advanced technology to conduct Underwater Inspections. Our engineers also provide emergency call out responses.
What are Underwater Inspections?
Inspections to accurately assess and analyse structures and components in and around watercourses.
To understand the integrity and stability of structures in water courses, our team will execute a series of Underwater Inspections in water and up to 2m above water. This includes the evaluation and recording of the waterbed profile allowing us to gauge environmental conditions impacting the structure.
At BES Group, we utilise a range of access solutions dependent on the marine environment to access underwater structures and components across the railway, highway, and energy sector. Our access solutions may include:
- Commercial diving: We’re compliant with HSE Diving at Work Regulations and are proud members of the Association of Diving Contractors (ADC). Diving engineers are frequently enlisted to carry out inspections of foundations, piers, abutments and any structural components found underwater. Our engineer-led operations enable detailed analysis of issues that could compromise structural integrity such as scour .
- Advanced Technology: To facilitate Underwater Inspections, our team may opt for advanced high-resolution photography, videography, or sonar solutions to capture accurate, precise data. This enables access in the most challenging underwater conditions. For advanced inspection and surveyance, our team may also execute Bathymetric Surveys, Sonar Surveys or Drone Inspections to provide reliable and actionable data about our clients’ underwater assets.
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How can our underwater services help you?
Peace of mind in the integrity of your structures.
It’s crucial for asset owners to understand the condition of structures submerged in water. Failure to do so introduces risks such as undermining through scour action which can compromise structural integrity, endanger lives, and inflict environmental impact.
As infrastructure specialists, we pride ourselves on comprehensive Underwater Inspections dedicated to safeguarding assets. Our engineer-led team access underwater environments to carry out structural inspections and surveys , Digital Surveys and Non Destructive Testing of structural investigations. Following an Underwater Inspection, our engineer-led team advice on remedial actions for asset maintenance.
Underwater Inspections from the BES Group support clients to understand the condition of their bridges, ports, harbours, and other underwater infrastructure. Our underwater operations also extend to the provision of:
- Scour surveys and assessments
- Removal of Soft and Hard Marine Growth
- Debris Surveys and Removals
- Floodwater and river level monitoring
- Remedial works
- Emergency call out response
Benefits of Underwater Inspections from BES Group?
Peace of mind:
Structures found in and around water are often exposed to harsh, challenging environmental conditions often not visible above water. Regular Underwater Inspections provide peace of mind in the structure, safety and condition of underwater assets.
Emergency call out
As specialists in navigating challenging environments, a subset of experts on our team also provide rapid response and emergency call out. We specialise in flood damage, assessing bridge foundations and rapid response. Learn more about our emergency response services. Our specialised team can be on-site within hours.
Technical excellence
Our team consists of highly trained engineers with expertise in accessing challenging environments. Committed to HSE standards, all underwater operations are governed by the highest safety practices and aligned with industry leading standards.
End-to-End Service
Our group offers a comprehensive approach to maintaining asset integrity. From underwater inspections to ongoing asset monitoring through to remedial procedures. We take pride in providing industry leading asset maintenance and infrastructure solutions.
Peace of mind:
Structures found in and around water are often exposed to harsh, challenging environmental conditions often not visible above water. Regular Underwater Inspections provide peace of mind in the structure, safety and condition of underwater assets.
Emergency call out
As specialists in navigating challenging environments, a subset of experts on our team also provide rapid response and emergency call out. We specialise in flood damage, assessing bridge foundations and rapid response. Learn more about our emergency response services. Our specialised team can be on-site within hours.
Technical excellence
Our team consists of highly trained engineers with expertise in accessing challenging environments. Committed to HSE standards, all underwater operations are governed by the highest safety practices and aligned with industry leading standards.
End-to-End Service
Our group offers a comprehensive approach to maintaining asset integrity. From underwater inspections to ongoing asset monitoring through to remedial procedures. We take pride in providing industry leading asset maintenance and infrastructure solutions.
Underwater Inspections FAQs
What is a waterbed profile?
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- A waterbed profile refers to the shape of the seabed or riverbed beneath a body of water, such as a lake, river or ocean. Understanding the waterbed profile is crucial for inspections, as this helps our engineers to assess the integrity of structures, determine the most appropriate inspection techniques and equipment, and identify hazards to ensure safe planning for inspections.
At BES Group, our waterbed profiles consist of upstream and downstream assessments to understand how surrounding water interacts with your submerged structures. These waterbed profiles are supplied to clients for a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impacts.
Are Underwater Inspections safe?
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Underwater inspections are generally safe when carried out by our qualified, professional inspectors.
How often should Underwater Inspections be carried out?
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The frequency of an inspection will depend on the type of structure and environmental conditions. Some structures may require annual inspections, whereas others might need less frequent assessments. We can recommend inspection frequency based on your specific project needs.
Which additional structures can be inspected underwater?
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We inspect a variety of different underwater structures, including bridges, dams and reservoirs, underwater pipelines, marine terminals, piers and docks.
Can you inspect freshwater and saltwater structures?
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Yes, our team of inspectors can carry out inspections in both freshwater and saltwater environments. We’re experts in navigating black water which contain sediments and other materials which make underwater conditions challenging.
Why choose us?
Expert infrastructure engineers
Our team of engineers are all professionally qualified and have extensive experience in the field. They have a deep understanding of instrumentation and monitoring technologies and are committed to providing you with a high-quality service.
Specialist Access
Our years of experience in infrastructure means we have advanced knowledge and expertise in Specialist Access scenarios. From hard-to-reach locations, to culverts, bridges, and underwater structures, our team of specialists can provide precise and comprehensive surveys of your site.
Unmatched capabilities for challenging environments
BES Group stands apart as a specialist in inspecting structures in even the most challenging locations and environments. Our team possesses extensive expertise in rope access, confined space entry, and underwater inspection techniques, enabling us to reach and assess structures that would otherwise be inaccessible.
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