In-Water Ship & NDT Hull Survey

Professional In-Water Vessel Inspections & Non-Destructive Testing

Wells Marine provides specialist in-water ship inspections and NDT hull surveys for commercial vessels, government fleets, ports, marine insurers and vessel operators throughout Sydney, the east coast and inland New South Wales.

Routine underwater inspections are essential for maintaining vessel safety, complying with survey requirements and identifying structural issues before they become costly repairs. Conducting inspections while a vessel remains afloat can significantly reduce downtime, minimise operational disruption and avoid unnecessary slipping or dry docking where appropriate.

Using experienced commercial divers, high-definition underwater imaging and advanced non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques, Wells Marine delivers detailed condition assessments to support vessel owners, marine surveyors, classification societies and insurers.

Contact Wells Marine to arrange an in-water hull inspection or NDT survey.

Comprehensive In-Water Vessel Inspection Services

Every vessel operates under different environmental conditions, maintenance schedules and operational demands.

Wells Marine provides inspection services for:

Commercial vessels
Tug boats
Barges
Ferries
Workboats
Fishing vessels
Government vessels
Defence support vessels
Dredging equipment
Floating plant
Offshore support vessels
Marine construction vessels

Our inspections provide valuable information for maintenance planning, insurance assessments, vessel surveys and regulatory compliance.

In-Water Hull Surveys

Inspecting Hulls Without Dry Docking

Many underwater hull inspections can be completed while the vessel remains in the water, reducing operational downtime and avoiding unnecessary haul-out costs.

Our commercial divers inspect:

Hull plating
Welds
Frames
Keels
Bilge keels
Sea chests
Rudders
Propellers
Stern tubes
Thrusters
Intake grilles
Hull appendages

Detailed reports, underwater photography and HD video provide vessel owners with a comprehensive record of the hull’s condition.

Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)

Assessing Structural Integrity Without Damage

Non-destructive testing (NDT) allows critical vessel components to be assessed without damaging the structure.

Depending on the project requirements, Wells Marine can support or facilitate inspections using recognised NDT methods such as:

Ultrasonic thickness testing (UTM)
Visual testing (VT)
Magnetic particle testing (MT)*
Dye penetrant testing (PT)*
Coating thickness measurements
Corrosion mapping

*Certain NDT methods may require the involvement of qualified NDT technicians depending on the inspection scope and applicable standards.

NDT assists vessel owners in understanding the condition of structural steel, identifying corrosion loss and planning maintenance before problems become critical.

Ultrasonic Thickness Testing

Measuring Steel Thickness

Corrosion can gradually reduce the thickness of hull plating without obvious visual signs.

Ultrasonic thickness testing measures the remaining steel thickness to identify:

General corrosion
Localised pitting
Steel wastage
Plate thinning
Areas requiring repair
Remaining structural capacity

These measurements assist marine surveyors and engineers when assessing the structural condition of a vessel.

Propeller & Running Gear Inspections

Keeping Vessels Operating Efficiently

The propulsion system is critical to vessel performance and reliability.

Our divers inspect:

Propellers
Shafts
Rudders
Bearings
Stern gear
Rope guards
Anodes
Thrusters
Sea chests
Cooling water intakes

Inspections identify damage, entanglement, corrosion, missing components and marine growth that may affect vessel performance.

Hull Condition Assessments

Supporting Maintenance Planning

Routine hull inspections help vessel owners understand the condition of their assets and plan maintenance more effectively.

Our condition assessments identify:

Marine growth
Corrosion
Coating breakdown
Impact damage
Structural deformation
Fouling
Weld condition
Missing anodes
Damage to appendages

Early identification of defects helps reduce repair costs and extend vessel service life.

Insurance & Pre-Purchase Surveys

Independent Underwater Assessments

Wells Marine supports marine insurers, brokers, surveyors and vessel purchasers with professional underwater inspections.

Common applications include:

Insurance assessments
Pre-purchase inspections
Damage investigations
Collision assessments
Grounding inspections
Storm damage assessments
Asset valuations
Condition reporting

Detailed documentation provides valuable information for decision-making and claims management.

Classification & Regulatory Support

Supporting Vessel Compliance

Regular underwater inspections can assist vessel owners in meeting maintenance and survey obligations.

Our inspection services support:

Planned maintenance programs
Classification survey preparation
Engineering assessments
Dry dock planning
Vessel condition monitoring
Asset management programs

Inspection findings can be provided to marine surveyors or incorporated into broader maintenance planning.

Underwater Photography & Video

Clear Visual Documentation

High-definition underwater imagery provides a permanent visual record of the vessel’s condition.

Documentation may include:

HD video
High-resolution photography
Hull overviews
Close-up defect images
Propeller inspections
Corrosion areas
Coating condition
Marine growth levels

Visual documentation improves reporting accuracy and assists future comparisons.

Our Inspection Process

Initial Consultation

We discuss the vessel, inspection objectives, operational requirements and reporting needs.

Project Planning

Our team develops a project-specific inspection plan covering:

Vessel access
Diving operations
Safety procedures
Environmental conditions
Reporting requirements

Underwater Inspection

Commercial divers inspect the hull and underwater components while recording photographs, video and inspection data.

NDT Assessment

Where required, non-destructive testing is undertaken to evaluate structural condition and material thickness.

Reporting

Clients receive a comprehensive report detailing observations, defects, photographs, video and maintenance recommendations.

Why Choose Wells Marine?

Experienced Commercial Divers

Our divers have extensive experience inspecting commercial vessels operating in ports, harbours, rivers and coastal waters throughout New South Wales.

High-Quality Reporting

We provide clear, practical inspection reports supported by high-definition underwater photography and video.

Marine Construction Expertise

Our understanding of vessel structures, underwater repairs and marine engineering enables us to identify issues that may affect vessel performance and safety.

Integrated Marine Services

Where inspections identify maintenance requirements, Wells Marine can also provide underwater welding, hull cleaning, propeller inspections, marine construction support and underwater repairs.

Safety and Professionalism

Every inspection is completed using detailed dive plans, established commercial diving procedures and project-specific risk assessments to ensure safe, efficient delivery.

Industries We Support

Wells Marine provides in-water ship inspections and NDT hull surveys for:

Commercial shipping operators
Ports and harbour authorities
Ferry operators
Tug operators
Marine construction companies
Government agencies
Defence contractors
Fishing fleets
Offshore support operators
Marine insurers
Marine surveyors
Vessel owners