Engineering Design & Permitting

In addition to our marine surveying and mapping capability, the Hydro EMI team includes State registered professional ocean and civil engineers and computer-aided drafting and GIS mapping technicians. Assisted as needed by subcontracted structural and geotechnical engineers, and biologists we can provide services to design and observe construction of typical marine facilities such as: boat ramps, docks, aquatic farms, marinas, moorings, sub-aqueous utility crossings, erosion controls, water control structures, storm water and water supply impoundments, surface water pumping stations and breakwaters.

Projects are most appropriately delineated into specific phases to organize the work effort and efficiently utilize available client resources. They usually include:

1. Feasibility Study

   We strongly encourage clients to conduct a thorough feasibility or due-diligence study either before purchasing a project site or planning a marine-related development. A typical study should include preliminary environmental and physical reconnaissance missions to identify protected environmental habitats, and physical conditions such as prevalent wind and wave patterns, tidal heights and currents, mean depths, boating traffic, and bottom geology. It should also include preliminary discussions with local, State and Federal agencies having jurisdiction to assess potential problems in obtaining necessary governmental authorizations and other development constraints.

2. Preliminary Design

   Based on the results of the feasibility study, the client can move forward with more assurance in developing a preliminary or conceptual design for facilities that meet the project goals while having a high potential of being permitted. In this phase a conceptual plan would be prepared showing the extent and nature of the proposed improvements.

3. Survey, Physical Testing and Environmental Analyses

   After completion of the preliminary design process final marine bathymetric and boundary surveys, geotechnical tests and environmental studies should be completed. This information will be used to prepare the final design, construction drawings and permit applications.

4. Final Design and Permit Application

   At this point, the facilities are designed and drawings are prepared for the construction. Work elements needed to protect important environmental features, such as erosion control and monitoring are generally included. The drawings, surveys and environmental data are compiled as needed to prepare applications for permitting as prescribed by each jurisdictional agency. We often caution the client at this phase that the permitting process is often complex, slow and fraught with unforeseen issues raised by both the agencies and other interested parties. However, a carefully conceived project concept that attempts to proportionately address environmental issues will usually survive the process.

5. Construction Observation

   Aside from the fact that most agencies require some level of construction observation by the design engineer and biologist, we believe it is in the client’s best interest for these professionals to be involved in the construction process. Full time or periodic observations of the work will assist the client in assessing progress, assessing conformance of the work with the permits and design, and adjusting the design to accommodate unforeseen conditions.