PS Pond Inspections, PLLC

Frequently Asked Questions — Durham, NC

Why are underwater inspection bids so different?

Commercial diving is quoted as a crew/spread day rate plus a separate mobilisation charge to move the vessel and team to your site. Inspection is usually priced per structure or per substructure unit, while construction is often unit-priced per linear foot or per pile. The mobilisation line explains most gaps between bids, so look there before comparing day rates.

What should a written condition report include to be defensible to a regulator?

A defensible report identifies the inspection standard used, the dive supervision qualifications, and the specific condition findings with documentation. For bridges, the applicable federal standard is 23 CFR 650.311, and the report should note whether the team leader meets FHWA-NHI requirements; state-level rules vary. For tanks, AWWA M42 and C652 apply, and for vessel hulls, 46 CFR 71.50-3 covers in-water exams. The report must be signed by the qualified team leader or supervising diver, not by a recreational scuba instructor.

How far in advance do we need to schedule, and what access permits are needed?

Scheduling depends on water conditions, environmental work windows, and the need to give the diving team room to isolate hazards like currents or vessel traffic. Access permits are often required by the local authority in Durham, NC, and you should confirm whether a marine construction permit, USACE Section 10/404 permit, or state environmental permit applies. Mobilisation to a remote site can take a full day, so include that in your schedule. The team will need a dedicated standby diver and a dive supervisor on site at all times.

Can you do the inspection in the water without hauling the asset out?

In-water inspection is often the preferred option when haul-out is impractical, such as for large vessels or fixed structures, and it uses the same OSHA 29 CFR 1910 Subpart T team requirements as any other dive. For ship hulls, an in-water exam under 46 CFR 71.50-3 can supplement or replace a dry-dock exam if visibility and access allow. The trade-off is that some defects—like coating breakdown or fatigue cracking—are easier to identify in the dry, so the report must clearly state the limitations of the in-water method. If the asset is a potable water tank, follow AWWA C652 for inspection and disinfection, and use materials listed under NSF/ANSI 61.