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FAQ

Straight Answers About How We Work

We keep communication direct. If you’re evaluating H&A or working through what you need for an underwater project, these are the questions we hear most often — answered plainly.

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01 About Henderson & Associates

H&A is an ocean engineering and naval architecture firm focused on complex underwater projects where execution matters. We deliver specialized engineering and inspection services across underwater infrastructure, vessels, and marine construction, including underwater inspection and condition assessment, ocean engineering and naval architecture, quality assurance, quality control and NDT, and dive operations and project execution support. Every project is led with a hands-on approach that keeps plan and performance aligned.

Most firms approach underwater work from the surface. Plans get drawn in offices, then handed off and executed with fingers crossed. H&A was built differently. Our founder, Shawn Henderson, P.E., is a former U.S. Navy diver and underwater welder with over 30 years of diving experience. That dual background — real field experience combined with engineering discipline — is what separates us.

  • Engineering decisions are grounded in what underwater conditions actually demand.
  • Dive operations are guided by engineering knowledge, not assumptions.
  • The same leadership that plans the work stays connected through execution and final verification.
  • Clients do not deal with the gap between design and field performance because we close it.

Henderson & Associates was founded by Shawn Henderson, P.E., a licensed professional engineer and former U.S. Navy diver with over 30 years of diving, underwater welding, and commercial diving experience. Shawn has worked in demanding underwater environments including high-security federal installations such as Pearl Harbor and Kings Bay. His background in both engineering and field execution shaped the firm’s core approach: every project planned, executed, and verified by a team that understands both the design and the dive.

H&A serves projects nationwide. Our team has experience working on federal installations, commercial shipyards, and marine infrastructure projects across the United States. For project-specific coverage questions, contact us directly.

H&A operates as a lean, senior-level firm. That structure is intentional. A smaller team means faster response, clearer communication, and hands-on leadership on every project without the delays and delegation layers common in larger firms. Clients work directly with the people who understand the work and are accountable for the outcome.

H&A serves clients across defense and government, marine construction, commercial shipyards, maritime and vessel operations, and municipal infrastructure.

  • NAVFAC and USACE project managers overseeing naval infrastructure and waterfront facilities.
  • Prime contractors managing underwater scopes on large marine construction projects.
  • Shipyard operations managers responsible for vessel maintenance, repair, and dry dock operations.
  • Maritime executives and commercial fleet operators focused on asset performance and long-term reliability.
  • Directors of public works and municipal infrastructure leaders managing bridges, waterways, and marine assets.

02 Services

H&A provides four core service areas:

  • Underwater Inspection and Condition Assessment — engineering-led inspections, hull and vessel surveys, condition assessments, documentation, and repair planning support.
  • Ocean Engineering and Naval Architecture — structural analysis, naval architecture, finite element analysis, rigging and lifting engineering, ships husbandry support, 3D scanning, and PE-stamped drawings.
  • Quality Assurance, Quality Control and NDT — independent QA/QC oversight, NDT Level I, II, and III support, welding inspection, WPS/NDE procedures, and compliance documentation.
  • Dive Operations and Project Execution Support — dive planning, field coordination, project execution support, technical oversight, and closeout verification.

H&A provides engineering oversight and management for dive operations, including dive planning, operations management, and engineering-integrated inspection. Where physical dive work is performed, H&A ensures it is guided by engineering discipline throughout. Our leadership’s direct diving background means we understand what happens underwater and can direct operations with the authority that comes from firsthand experience, not just desk knowledge. Contact us to discuss how your specific scope would be structured.

H&A is structured to provide end-to-end accountability on underwater projects, from initial engineering through field execution and final verification. That full-scope capability is one of our key differentiators. Clients gain a single accountable team rather than multiple vendors whose responsibilities do not fully overlap. H&A also works on specific scopes within larger projects, such as third-party QA/QC oversight or engineering design on a defined scope. We will work with you to define what involvement makes sense for your project.

Yes. Structural and mechanical drawings are stamped by a licensed professional engineer when the project scope requires sealed deliverables. PE-stamped documentation is a standard part of H&A’s engineering work, especially for government and federal projects requiring documentation that meets strict compliance standards.

Third-party QA/QC means independent quality assurance and quality control oversight, separate from the contractor performing the work. For underwater projects, this often involves engineering review of welding procedures, NDT inspection, structural verification, and compliance documentation. H&A offers this as a core service because quality control disconnected from engineering oversight misses things. Our PE-led QA/QC keeps verification aligned with design intent so the work does not just pass inspection on paper; it performs correctly in the field.

Yes. Cofferdam design is part of H&A’s ocean engineering and structural design capability. Cofferdams require careful structural analysis given hydrostatic loads and site-specific conditions. H&A approaches cofferdam work with both engineering rigor and a field understanding of how structures will be installed and operated underwater, producing designs that are sound on paper and executable in practice.

Yes. H&A is structured to mobilize quickly when situations require it. Our lean team means faster response and decision-making without administrative bottlenecks. If you are dealing with an active underwater issue — a failed inspection, a structural concern, or an urgent assessment need — contact us directly and we will respond promptly.

03 Credentials & Qualifications

H&A’s core credentials include:

  • Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) leadership.
  • NDT Level III certification and NDT Level I, II, and III training and certification support.
  • U.S. Navy diving background and decades of operational experience.
  • WPS/NDE procedure development capability.
  • Experience at high-security federal sites including Pearl Harbor and Kings Bay.
  • Insurance and credentials for federal and regulated project environments.

Yes. H&A has direct experience supporting projects at federal naval installations, including work governed by NAVSEA and NAVFAC standards. Our founder’s U.S. Navy background and experience at high-security sites like Pearl Harbor and Kings Bay reflect an organization that understands federal compliance requirements, documentation standards, and the operational environment of defense projects.

H&A designs and inspects to the codes and standards applicable to each project, including ABS vessel and marine structure standards, AWS welding procedure and inspection standards, ASME mechanical and pressure vessel standards, NAVSEA and NAVFAC standards for defense and federal projects, and state or local codes applicable to the scope.

H&A carries professional liability coverage as well as general liability coverage. We are structured to engage quickly on federal sites without the administrative delays that can slow down less-credentialed firms. For specific insurance requirements tied to your contract or RFP, contact us and we will provide documentation directly.

Yes. H&A has supported projects at facilities including Pearl Harbor and Kings Bay, environments with strict access requirements, security protocols, and compliance standards. Our team understands how to operate in these environments without creating administrative or operational friction.

04 Project Process & Working With H&A

H&A keeps the process direct. A typical engagement moves through four phases:

  • Scope conversation — we discuss your project, timeline, location, and specific requirements.
  • Proposal — we provide a clear scope of work and deliverables aligned to your requirements.
  • Execution — engineering and/or field work is led by the same senior leadership involved in the proposal.
  • Verification and close-out — deliverables are reviewed, documented, and confirmed before the project closes.

H&A integrates into the project structure of the prime contractor or client. We communicate directly, respond promptly, and maintain clear documentation throughout. Our goal is to reduce coordination overhead, not add to it. The same leadership that knows the engineering knows the project schedule, which means fewer surprises and faster problem-solving when issues arise.

To scope your project accurately, we generally need the project location and site conditions, a description of what needs to be designed, inspected, or verified, applicable codes or contract specifications, the timeline and milestones, and any existing drawings, inspection reports, or documentation relevant to the work.

No. Our team is self-directed and experienced enough to manage the work without constant client oversight. You receive clear updates at defined milestones, direct communication when decisions are needed, and consistent follow-through from the same people involved from the start. You know who is responsible, and you do not need to chase the work.

Underwater conditions are unpredictable. That is exactly why H&A’s model matters. When conditions change, engineering judgment needs to be available in real time, not delayed by a chain of handoffs back to a desk-based team. Our leadership understands the field and can make informed decisions quickly while keeping the project on track and fully documented.

Rework and delays often trace back to plans that did not account for real-world conditions, miscommunication between engineering and field teams, and quality checks that happen too late. H&A addresses all three. Engineering is designed with execution in mind, the same team covers design and field oversight, and quality control is built into every phase rather than performed only at the end.

05 Quality, Safety & Compliance

Safety is one of H&A’s five core values, not a compliance checkbox. Underwater work carries real risks including limited visibility, hydrostatic pressure, unpredictable conditions, and equipment failure scenarios that surface-based teams may not fully appreciate. H&A approaches every project with a deep understanding of those risks built from decades of actual dive operations. Every decision prioritizes the protection of personnel, infrastructure, and operations.

Quality control at H&A is engineering-led and built into every phase of the project. Key elements include PE-led oversight through design and execution, NDT support for welding and structural verification, WPS/NDE procedures developed to project-specific requirements, documentation aligned to applicable codes and client requirements, and direct accountability from the same leadership that directs and verifies the work.

H&A’s experience at federal installations means compliance is not a new challenge we figure out project by project. We understand the documentation standards, inspection requirements, and reporting expectations that govern NAVFAC and NAVSEA work. Our PE-led structure ensures deliverables are traceable, defensible, and built to hold up under scrutiny.

When a defect or structural concern is identified during inspection, H&A’s integrated model means the finding moves directly from the field to engineering judgment. We document the finding accurately, assess the engineering implications, and provide a clear path forward. Clients get a problem identified and a recommended response, not just a report that creates more questions.

Inspection findings are documented in engineering-integrated reports that include clear descriptions of observed conditions, photographic documentation, technical assessment, and recommended next steps. Reports are structured to be actionable and are produced by or under the direct oversight of a licensed professional engineer.

06 Working With Specific Client Types

H&A works comfortably within federal project structures. We understand compliance requirements, documentation standards, and the accountability expectations that govern NAVFAC work. Our experience at federal installations means we do not require significant hand-holding on process. You get a firm that respects the structure, communicates clearly, and produces work that holds up under audit.

H&A is designed to integrate seamlessly into a prime contractor’s project structure. We communicate directly, execute our scope without creating delays or liability, and keep you informed without requiring constant oversight. Our commitment is to protect your schedule and reputation, not add risk to it.

Yes. H&A works with shipyards on vessel maintenance, repair scopes, and inspection programs. We understand that downtime is expensive and timing matters. Our team mobilizes quickly, executes with minimal disruption to ongoing operations, and delivers clear findings and recommendations.

H&A supports maritime and vessel operators with underwater inspection, hull assessment, structural engineering, and QA/QC on repair work. Our focus is protecting the long-term performance and reliability of your assets. If you are dealing with a vessel condition concern or planning a maintenance program, we are ready to discuss what your fleet needs.

H&A has worked on projects involving bridges, waterways, and marine assets managed by public agencies. We understand the pressure of operating within budgets, under public scrutiny, and with accountability to elected officials and community stakeholders. We work to provide clear scope definitions, predictable outcomes, and long-term solutions.

07 Getting Started

The best way to start is a direct conversation. Use the contact form on our Contact page. We respond directly, and you will hear from someone who understands the work, not an intake coordinator.

You do not need a fully defined scope to reach out. A general description of the project, location, and timeline is enough to start a useful conversation. Existing drawings, inspection reports, or contract specifications help us give a more accurate initial response, but they are not required to make first contact.

We respond promptly. Underwater projects often have tight timelines, and we do not create unnecessary delays in the engagement process. If you are working against a deadline, tell us and we will prioritize accordingly.

Yes. H&A responds to RFPs and government solicitations for ocean engineering, underwater inspection, QA/QC, NDT, naval architecture, and dive operations support. If you have a specific solicitation or are evaluating H&A for an upcoming procurement, contact us directly with the details.

Yes. H&A can provide past performance documentation and references relevant to your project scope. Given the sensitive nature of some work, particularly on federal sites, we handle reference and past performance conversations directly rather than posting client details publicly.

Yes. Long-term relationships are how H&A prefers to work. Clients who engage H&A on a recurring basis benefit from a partner who already knows their infrastructure, standards, and operating environment. That continuity reduces setup time, improves coordination, and builds trust that makes complex underwater work easier to manage over time.

Still Have Questions?

We keep communication direct.
Reach out and you’ll hear back from someone who knows the work.

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