Seabed and substrata studies are vital to the planning, design and construction phases of any offshore development. Vessels, personnel and equipment are provided to locate any potential engineering hazard such as structural faults, gas pockets, reefs and man-made obstructions. Also, in conducting pipe-lay construction projects, survey support including route reconnaissance studies, pipe-lay positioning, pipeline route surveys, surveys during pipe-lay operations and pipeline inspections can be provided. Detailed studies using terrestrial and satellite positioning, echo-sounders, sidescan sonars, sub-bottom profilers and magnetometer equipment, as well as soil sampling can also be undertaken prior to pipe-lay operations. These surveys chart water depths and locate suitable sea floor characteristics for optimum pipeline route selection.