Outfall Inspections, Token Repairs, and Major Remedial Works

The coastal marine environment is fraught with risk for any exposed or minimally-buried seabed structure such as an outfall. Thus, conduits of this type should be inspected on a regular basis, whether by divers, remotely operated vehicles, or manned submersibles. Small deficiencies may be handled upon detection by the same person or system. Major problems will require a competent marine contractor and an elapse of time. The paper lists a number of outfall malfunctions of various scales and, in most cases, the remedial measures pursued. With care, a typical pipe of this type should function efficiently for many years.