Underwater Inspection

GBA specializes in underwater inspections using a range of cutting-edge technologies and industry-certified expertise. This allows GBA access to a complete range of underwater solutions for just about every type of infrastructure. Our divers are highly trained structural engineers and engineering technicians, ensuring that the solutions we bring to the table are well-qualified and based on our collective decades of field experience.


Unparalleled underwater expertise.

Structures that feature marine components are exposed to a much more varied set of risks than those that are not underwater. For this reason, it is critical to ensure the engineering team you choose is qualified to work under these unique conditions.

Our extensive experience with state and federal safety regulations as well as our commitment to sustainable practices ensures you of a cost-effective process from end-to-end.

Carefully planned. Meticulously executed.

We provide our clients with a complete package of underwater engineering and inspection services. These include both above and below water assessment and rehabilitation.

Each underwater inspection is carefully planned and carried out according to the very specific requirements of the job. No matter what the complexity of the inspection might be, GBA quickly deploys with the right solution for the situation.

We use precision tools like underwater cameras, video cameras and sonar to deliver accurate results. These results leave nothing to chance and allow us to go far beyond what our divers would be able to humanly accomplish, whether due to water depth or other dangerous conditions.

Underwater Inspection Services

GBA has extensive expertise in underwater structures and situations including:
  • Pipelines
  • Ports and marinas
  • Docks and piers
  • Tunnels and culverts
  • Dams
  • Locks
  • Bridges
  • Seawalls
  • Storage tanks
  • Reservoirs
  • Confined spaces
  • Water treatment facilities

Project Highlight: Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge Underwater Inspection

Bob Kerry Pedestrian Bridge Spans the Missouri River in Omaha, Nebraska
Omaha, Nebraska

As a subconsultant to HNTB Companies, GBA performed an underwater inspection of all submerged substructure units on the Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge over the Missouri River in Omaha, Nebraska.

  • Level I and Level II underwater inspections were performed with a minimum of 10% Level II inspection.
  • Acoustic imaging was performed on all submerged substructure units where the water depth was greater than 10 ft.
  • A bathymetric channel scan was performed from approximately 300 feet upstream to 300 feet downstream with channel soundings along profiles at 100 feet upstream, centerline, and 100 feet downstream of the bridge.

The final report included repair recommendations, substructure condition ratings and notes, channel sounding plan and profile, bathymetric channel scan plan view and inspection photos.