Thames Safety Boat Services

Safety boat operator on the Thames tidal waterway. Our rescue and safety boats operate across all category waters of the tidal Thames from the estuary to the Thames navigation.

Our safety boats are licensed under the PLA - Port Of London Authority and are skippered by some of the most skilled and experienced marine personnel on the Thames. Our skippers include current serving and ex Thames river boat firemen, commercial divers and RNLI. Contact us today for a competitive quote.

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Values And Principles Of A Leading Underwater Services Company

Customers

Our clients voice will be made heard throughout our company.We will focus all of our energy towards satisfying the needs of our customers in an efficient and effective manner.

Skilled Staff

Our highly skilled and experienced staff are our most valued asset. It is the work of our trained employees that is the hub of our business. We will involve staff on all levels in the continuous improvement of our quality services.

Health And Safety

The Health and Safety Policy of UK Diving Services is to undertake everything reasonably practicable to prevent injury and ill health to all employees and others affected by our operations.

Environment

We recognize that we all share this Earth and thus UK Diving Services is committed to using environmentally safe (green) products, recycling and energy conserving equipment whenever possible. UK Diving Services is fully committed to researching new procedures, chemicals and products that will add weight and move our environmental mission forward.

Equipment, Methods & Supplies

We will use the best available engineering, construction, cleaning and finishing supplies, equipment and methods. New products and ideas will be incorporated on a continuous basis to help maximize the value of the services to our clients.

Integrity

We promise to do what we say.

We promise stand by all of our work.

We promise not to compromise our commitment to:

The environment

The ethical conduct of our business

The policies and rules our clients have in place at any work site.

UK Law

UK Diving Services Ltd

Sub Sea Archives

COMPANY NEWS

Underwater Pier Jetty Structural Condition Survey

February 27, 2026

Case Study: Specialist Structural Inspections for a Major UK Waste-to-Energy Facility

Location: Major Waste-to-Energy (WtE) Power Station, UK

Project Type: Integrated Above- & Below-Water Structural Condition & Scour Assessment

Contractor: UK Diving Services Ltd

Project Overview

UK Diving Services Ltd (UKDS) was contracted to provide a comprehensive structural integrity assessment for one of the UK’s largest waste-to-energy power facilities. Given the critical nature of power generation infrastructure, the facility required a highly specialised inspection programme to evaluate the condition of its marine and cooling water assets.

Our team delivered a holistic survey encompassing underwater foundations, above-water superstructures, and the highly vulnerable "splash zone" interfaces.

Scope of Services

1. Multi-Level Structural Condition Inspections

Underwater Investigations: Our commercial dive team conducted detailed visual and tactile inspections of submerged concrete and steel elements. This included assessing cooling water intakes, discharge outfalls, and primary structural foundations for signs of degradation.
Above-Water Surveys: Engineers performed high-level visual inspections of the superstructure, identifying any defects in the concrete or steelwork that could compromise the facility's operational safety.
Splash Zone NDT Testing: Recognising the splash zone as the area most prone to accelerated corrosion, we performed Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). Using techniques such as Ultrasonic Thickness (UT) gauging and Magnetic Particle Inspection (MPI), we measured material loss and identified sub-surface flaws in ferromagnetic components without damaging the existing structure.

2. Scour Risk Assessment

To ensure the long-term stability of the facility’s foundations, a rigorous scour assessment was integrated into the programme:

Bathymetric Profiling: Utilising advanced sonar technology, we mapped the riverbed/seabed topography surrounding the structure to identify any significant material migration or erosion.
Foundation Integrity: We checked for undermining and voids at the base of the piers and walls, providing the facility operators with a clear understanding of current scour levels in accordance with UK standards.

3. Data-Led Reporting & Compliance

All findings were compiled into a data-rich technical report designed to meet the stringent safety and regulatory requirements of the energy sector.

Defect Mapping: High-resolution imagery and NDT data were used to pinpoint the exact location and severity of any structural anomalies.
Asset Life Extension: Our recommendations provided a roadmap for future maintenance and remedial works, helping to prevent costly unplanned shutdowns.

Contact UK Diving Services Ltd

For specialist inspections of power generation and industrial water assets:

Website: diving-services.co.uk
Telephone: +44 7455 123182
Expertise: Power Station Outfalls, Intake Screens, Splash Zone NDT, & Scour Surveys.

UKDS Credited With Chartered Institution of Highways & Transportation Award

January 8, 2020

UK Diving Services have been credited with the CIHT safety award 2019 for implementation of safety systems and procedures during inspection diving operations on the Menai Strait Suspension Bridge. Congratulations Team!

Underwater Inspection Of Bridge Structures In Scotland

November 28, 2019

Our specialist diving services has recently provided numerous underwater surveys on several bridge structures within Scotland. The surveys included scour investigation and structural damage inspection of masonry stone and concrete bridge structures and culverts. Various structures exhibited undermining of the pier and abutment walls and recommendations for urgent repair remedial works including grouting and grout bags as well as rock armour rip rap placement.

Our Underwater Surveyors Survey A Nine Arch Masonry Bridge Structure With 3D Sonar

April 15, 2019

Our dive service supported by 3D sonar as pictured below is an advanced sonar imagery system allowing engineers to use an accurate working model in CAD as a point cloud .xyz file. The acoustic sonar produces high resolution images where underwater voids, undermining, scour and structural section loss can be identified in zero visibility water conditions

Scour Protection As Part Of Bridge Repair Programme

March 5, 2019

Our dive service recently provided a full principle inspection of a seven span masonry stone arch bridge. The report concluded scour present and immediate remedial works were undertaken by placing of scour pack grout filled bags and raising the river bed with granite rock armour scour protection.

Northamptonshire Council Engage Our Diving Services For Principle Bridge Inspections

February 6, 2019

Our inspection diving teams have been engaged by Northamptonshire council for the purpose of surveying several multi-arch stone bridge structures. The scope of works includes both GI and PI inspections including the placing of scour protection and pointing as part of the specified remedial works.

Tags principle bridge inspectors bridge surveyors bridge survey services river wall surveyors

Diving Surveyors Provide Dive Surveys On Bridge And Marine Structures Nationwide

January 27, 2019

Our dive teams have recently undertaken numerous underwater video and sonar surveys on structures across the UK on behalf of Transport Scotland and the MOD. The structures varied from Bridges, Jetties, docks, moorings and river walls.

UKDS Contracted To Atkins On Behalf Of Severn Trent Water

May 12, 2018

UK Diving Services have been commissioned by ATKINS to undertake numerous bridge inspections and sonar surveys on behalf of Severn Trent Water. The inspections include a variety of structures and bridges spanning small stream like waterways to large muti-span structures spanning 30 meter deep reservoirs. The works include diving and confined space access to flooded bearing chambers as part of principle inspections of both the submerged and exposed components of the bridge structures

UK Diving Services Deliver Principle Bridge Inspections For Angus Council

April 9, 2018

Once again Angus council have contracted UK Diving Services as their primary choice to undertake their culvert and bridge inspections. The surveys included multiple small stone arched bridges to box culvert structures. Full HSE dive teams were utilised to inspect the below water elements of each structure as per scope of works