What Is Underwater Inspection?
F&V’s dive team answers the question of what cannot be seen below the surface of the water. We’re experts at gathering and documenting the structural integrity of bridges and a variety of other underwater structures, as well as conducting surveys and relocations of endangered species within a body of water. Each underwater inspection is thoughtfully planned out according to the unique requirements of the job.
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Types of Underwater Inspection Services
Structural Inspections:
- Bridges
- Seawalls
- Piers
- Outfalls
- Intakes
- Locks
- Dams
- Bank and shore stabilization
Endangered Species:
- Mussel surveys
- Mussel relocations
Our Underwater Diving Process
We’re experts at gathering and documenting the structural integrity of bridges and a variety of other underwater structures, as well as conducting surveys and relocations of endangered species within a body of water.
Step 1
Arrival
F&V divers arrive at the bridge site and find a safe space to park their vehicle away from errant traffic. They review the previous bridge inspection reports and evaluate the surrounding area and waterway for any safety hazards. Then they identify a place to enter the water safely.
Step 2
Plan
F&V divers establish a dive plan with the dive team members, which is made up of a diver, a standby diver, and a dive tender. They then look at water temperatures and measure stream/river velocity, and identify any potential job hazards, and plan mitigation efforts accordingly. Their dive equipment needs to be inspected to make sure that all tanks are full and all other dive equipment is operating correctly.
Step 3
Dive
Next, F&V divers get dressed into their wetsuit, and put on dive gear, and safely make their way down the steep slopes to enter the water. Once in the water, they inspect all submerged bridge substructure units visually (level I) and physically (level II) by sounding with a hammer to check for structural integrity. If any defects are found, they are photographed using an underwater camera.
Step 4
Report
Upon resurfacing, our divers communicate with the standby diver what their findings were so that they can record them on the inspection form. They then exit the water safely and remove their equipment.
Industries
Underwater inspections benefits several industries.
F&V has worked with marina businesses for environmental studies of the shoreline near their properties.
