Underwater Inspection: The Engineer vs. The Diver

The safety of a hydraulic structure is more than foundations and concrete. The steel in the various components that regulate the water flow plays a significant role in maintaining the safety of the hydraulic structure.
In order to keep steel structures in good working condition, periodic testing and inspection are required. Since a significant amount of this equipment is underwater, inspection by divers, in conjunction with video and audio recording, are excellent tools to assess the condition, provide a permanent record, and maintain the equipment with minor repairs.
Diving is expensive – especially when deep dives, high elevations, or cold water is involved. For an underwater inspection, depending on location, mobilization/demobilization costs can exceed the actual cost of diving time in the water. Careful planning and communication before the dives and effective use of time during the dives are keys to successful completion of diving inspections and/or subsequent repairs.
Using case histories of underwater inspections involving the authors, this paper provides discussions on how to: Schedule the dive; Select diving team members; Determine what equipment should be on site; Conduct safety and kick-off meetings; Conduct pre-dive meetings between the engineer and diver; Take effective notes; Record video and audio during the diving inspection