Integrity assurance for iconic underwater structures
Seawater is a chemical plant. We see the damage before it breaks.
Independent underwater NDT inspection, quality control and expert assessment, from major public aquariums to architectural pools and marine infrastructure, across seven regions of the world.
Trusted on landmark projects
SeaWorld Abu Dhabi · Atlantis The Royal · One Za'abeel · Burj Khalifa · Nausicaá · Aquatis · Pairi Daiza · FIVE Luxe JBR · Aviapark · The World islands
Selected projects. On each, MAREX intervened in construction quality control, periodic inspection in operation and/or technical expertise on damage.
Seawater is not harmless. It is a chemical plant.
Seawater, life support systems, marine life and millions of litres under pressure act on every material: acrylic, structural silicone, concrete, rebar, stainless steel. MAREX brought offshore inspection methods to public aquariums and applies the same discipline to every asset we inspect. Inspection reveals how these materials degrade before failure occurs; without it, degradation progresses silently. Since 2010, at least 9 sudden failures of acrylic or glass panels, joints or tanks at public aquariums and display tanks have been reported in the press worldwide.
About MAREX →Four families of iconic underwater structures
Large public aquariums
Giant acrylic panels, tunnels, life support environments and marine mammal pools, inspected while the facility stays open.
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Architectural pools
Cantilevered, glass-bottom and rooftop pools where structure, acrylic and sealing meet at height.
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Marine & coastal infrastructure
Reinforced concrete, outfalls, moorings and coastal structures exposed to seawater.
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Expert witness for insurers & courts
Independent technical expertise on damage, disputes and claims for courts, insurers, law firms and owners.
Explore →The MAREX Integrity Process
One structured method, from desk study and site visits to the signed inspection report, applied identically on every project and in every country.
- 01
Preparation & desk study
Before any site work, we study the asset and its context.
- 02
Client meetings & technical visits
Objectives, constraints and access are confirmed with the client and on site.
- 03
Underwater inspection & investigations
Underwater and atmospheric NDT by certified diver and rope-access inspectors, with ROV and drones where relevant. Samples are taken for laboratory analysis.
- 04
Laboratory & data analysis
Concrete samples, and water that has migrated through the concrete, are analysed in the laboratory. Field and laboratory data are then consolidated and analysed before any conclusion is drawn.
- 05
Report, validation & sign-off
The report is written, controlled and validated, then signed by a certified inspector.
The deliverable is the inspection report.
Validated, signed, traceable and actionable. Every finding is linked to field evidence, and no report leaves MAREX without the signature of a certified inspector.
AI integrated into inspection since 2019
Our AI was trained for two to three years on our standards, materials, procedures and report formats, then fine-tuned on real cases. It supports preparation, field execution, data analysis and report writing. A certified inspector validates and signs every deliverable. On SeaWorld Abu Dhabi, the daily reporting cycle of 12 inspectors fell from 40 to 50 hours to 4 to 5.
AI & Data →Core material specialities
Acrylic viewing panels
Condition assessment of giant acrylic panels and tunnels for underwater viewing.
Hyperbaric silicone sealing
Inspection, leak detection and repair supervision of structural silicone joints.
Concrete & waterproofing
Thermodynamic waterproofing, tank watertightness systems and laboratory analysis of concrete.
Rebar corrosion
Corrosion of carbon steel reinforcement in concrete: potential mapping, laboratory analysis of migrated water and diagnosis.
Stainless steel in seawater
Corrosion analysis and prevention for stainless steel exposed to seawater.
Selected references
Safety, independence and traceability as operating standards
Project-specific diving safety plans, protocols for live environments with marine life, independent findings and traceable, signed reports.
QHSE & Independence →Certified inspectors, recognised professional bodies
Lloyd's Register certified underwater NDT inspection, commercial diving and inspection drone qualifications, and memberships of recognised corrosion, NDT, waterways and attractions industry bodies.
Planning an inspection programme or a tender?
Send us your scope, drawings and timeline. We return a structured technical and commercial proposal.