Underwater Infrastructure & Bridge Inspections

Professional Underwater Inspections for Marine & Civil Infrastructure

Wells Marine provides specialist underwater infrastructure and bridge inspection services for government agencies, local councils, ports, engineers, utilities, civil contractors and asset owners throughout Sydney, the east coast and inland New South Wales.

Many of Australia’s most important infrastructure assets are supported by submerged foundations that cannot be assessed from the surface. Regular underwater inspections are essential for identifying deterioration, structural defects and safety risks before they develop into costly failures.

Using experienced commercial divers, high-definition underwater imaging and specialist inspection equipment, Wells Marine delivers detailed condition assessments that help clients make informed decisions about maintenance, repairs and future asset management.

Contact Wells Marine to arrange a professional underwater infrastructure inspection.

Comprehensive Underwater Inspection Services

Every marine structure operates in a unique environment, with factors such as tidal movement, water quality, vessel traffic and marine growth affecting its condition over time.

Wells Marine provides underwater inspections for:

• Bridges
• Wharves
• Jetties
• Marinas
• Pontoons
• Seawalls
• Slipways
• Boat ramps
• Marine piles
• Pylons
• Culverts
• Stormwater outlets
• Water intake structures
• Flood mitigation infrastructure
• Retaining walls
• Industrial marine facilities

Our inspection services provide valuable information for routine maintenance, engineering assessments, compliance reporting and infrastructure upgrades.

Bridge Inspections

Protecting Critical Transport Infrastructure

Bridge foundations are constantly exposed to flowing water, scour, corrosion and structural loading.

Our commercial divers inspect:

• Bridge piles
• Pylons
• Footings
• Abutments
• Bearings
• Cross bracing
• Concrete elements
• Steel members
• Protective coatings
• Scour protection

Early identification of defects helps asset owners plan repairs before structural issues affect bridge performance or public safety.

Marine Infrastructure Inspections

Detailed Condition Assessments

Marine infrastructure experiences continual exposure to saltwater, tides, vessel movements and severe weather.

Our inspections assess:

• Structural integrity
• Corrosion
• Concrete deterioration
• Cracking
• Marine growth
• Protective coatings
• Joint condition
• Foundation stability
• Impact damage
• General asset condition

Detailed assessments help prioritise maintenance and extend the operational life of valuable infrastructure.

Underwater Pile & Foundation Inspections

Inspecting Below the Waterline

Structural foundations are often hidden beneath the water where deterioration can progress unnoticed.

Our divers inspect:

• Steel piles
• Concrete piles
• Timber piles
• Foundation systems
• Pylon bases
• Scour zones
• Structural connections
• Marine borer damage
• Settlement
• Undermining

Accurate inspections provide engineers with the information needed to determine whether restoration, strengthening or replacement is required.

Scour Assessments

Identifying Foundation Risks

Scour is one of the leading causes of bridge and marine infrastructure failure.

Water movement around foundations can remove supporting material, reducing structural stability over time.

Our inspection team assesses:

• Scour depth
• Foundation exposure
• Sediment movement
• Erosion patterns
• Riverbed stability
• Seabed condition

Early detection allows remediation works to be undertaken before structural integrity is compromised.

Asset Condition Reporting

Supporting Better Asset Management

Following every inspection, Wells Marine provides comprehensive reporting that assists engineers, councils and infrastructure managers with future planning.

Reports may include:

• Structural observations
• Underwater photography
• High-definition video
• Location plans
• Defect identification
• Maintenance recommendations
• Priority repair items
• Condition summaries

These reports provide valuable information for maintenance planning, budgeting and regulatory compliance.

Commercial Diving Inspections

Safe Access to Challenging Environments

Commercial divers provide access to areas that cannot be inspected using conventional methods.

Our divers work safely within:

• Harbours
• Rivers
• Lakes
• Dams
• Canals
• Ports
• Marinas
• Industrial facilities
• Water treatment infrastructure
• Coastal environments

Surface-supplied diving systems and continuous communication ensure inspections are completed safely and efficiently.

Inspection Support for Engineers

Working Alongside Engineering Teams

Wells Marine regularly supports consulting engineers and civil contractors by providing accurate underwater information for design, maintenance and remediation projects.

Inspection support includes:

• Structural measurements
• Verification of engineering drawings
• Defect identification
• Material condition assessments
• Dimensional checks
• Underwater photography
• Video documentation
• Construction verification

Our inspection findings provide engineers with reliable information for structural assessments and future project planning.

Preventative Infrastructure Maintenance

Identify Problems Before They Become Costly Repairs

Routine underwater inspections help identify developing issues long before they become major structural problems.

Benefits include:

• Improved public safety
• Extended asset life
• Reduced maintenance costs
• Better budgeting
• Earlier defect detection
• Improved infrastructure reliability
• Reduced emergency repairs
• Better long-term asset management

Preventative inspections often save significant costs by allowing repairs to be completed before deterioration becomes extensive.

Advanced Inspection Technology

Accurate Underwater Documentation

Wells Marine uses modern inspection equipment to capture accurate information from beneath the waterline.

Inspection technology includes:

• High-definition underwater video
• Digital photography
• Measuring equipment
• Underwater lighting
• Diver communication systems
• GPS positioning (where applicable)
• Structural measuring tools

Combined with experienced commercial divers, this technology provides a comprehensive picture of an asset’s condition.

Our Inspection Process

Initial Consultation

We discuss the infrastructure, inspection objectives and reporting requirements.

Project Planning

Our team develops a detailed inspection plan covering site access, diving operations, safety procedures and environmental considerations.

Underwater Inspection

Commercial divers inspect the structure while collecting measurements, photographs, video and condition information.

Reporting

Inspection findings are compiled into a detailed report identifying defects, observations and recommended maintenance priorities.

Client Review

Our team reviews the findings with the client and discusses suitable maintenance, repair or restoration options where required.

Why Choose Wells Marine?

Experienced Commercial Divers

Our commercial divers have extensive experience inspecting critical marine and civil infrastructure throughout New South Wales.

Detailed Reporting

We provide clear, practical reports supported by high-quality underwater photography and video, giving clients confidence in their asset management decisions.

Marine Infrastructure Specialists

Our knowledge of marine construction, restoration and underwater engineering allows us to identify issues that may affect the long-term performance of infrastructure assets.

Integrated Marine Services

Where inspections identify defects, Wells Marine can also provide underwater repairs, pile restoration, marine construction, underwater welding and ongoing maintenance.

Safety-Focused Operations

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

Industries We Support

Wells Marine provides underwater inspection services for:

• Local councils
• State government agencies
• Civil engineering consultants
• Infrastructure asset managers
• Ports and harbour authorities
• Marina operators
• Utilities
• Industrial facilities
• Commercial property owners
• Defence contractors
• Construction companies

Underwater Infrastructure Inspection Enquiries

To help us understand your project, please provide:

• Asset location
• Type of infrastructure
• Inspection objectives
• Existing reports (if available)
• Engineering drawings
• Water depth
• Site access
• Required reporting format
• Project timeframe
• Any known structural concerns

Our experienced team will recommend the most suitable inspection methodology and reporting solution for your asset.

Contact Wells Marine today to arrange an underwater infrastructure or bridge inspection.