Faq

Why ‘GEMS’?

GEMS stands for Geotechnical Engineering and Marine Surveys. For more information on the history of GEMS and the GEMS Group visit the About GEMS section.

What sort of work does GEMS do?

GEMS supplies geotechnical, engineering and metocean expertise and services around the world. Company personnel and equipement are employed to investigate the nature of a site on which any type of project or construction is about to take place. Typically, this will mean offshore platforms, surveying a potential route for cables or pipes, mapping the seabed, investigating local climate and oceanographic regimes, or determining the stability of land. GEMS is equipped to provide a wide range of services, and can consult on design issues as well.

What markets can GEMS support?

Work is usually conducted in support of the oil and gas, ports and harbours, cables/pipeline or dredging industries. However, in recent history GEMS has expanded their remit to include services such as governmental seabed mapping projects, renewable energy projects e.g. offshore wind farm construction and tidal barrage schemes.

How big is GEMS?

Although a fairly new company, GEMS has already grown to over 150 employees spread across six countries. Operations are conducted globally and can be supporting by an expanding fleet of vessels which is currently standing at six vessels.

Is GEMS certificated for health and safety?

The GEMS Group as a whole is fully compliant with all national and international legislation regarding quality, health, safety and the environment. With a particular emphasis on UK policies, the company is determined to work to the strictest standards in all its operations. The Belgium Head Office is currently VCA ** accredited and the UK divisions are almost complete in their certification process.

Who should I contact to ask about services?

This should be the person running the department relevant to your needs. However, if you have a general enquiry then you can send an e-mail to info@gems-group.com.

Where are GEMS’ offices?

the company has offices around the world with its Head Office based in Zeebrugge, Belgium. The UK is home to the geotechnical/engineering office (in Bath) and the geophysics/metocean office (in Devizes), both in the south-west of England an hour or so from London. Regional offices also exist in Qatar, Egypt, Nigeria and the UAE together with other representative offices and agencies around the World.  

GEMS is a small company, can it support large projects?

Although relatively small in nature, and expanding rapidly, GEMS can support the needs of virtually any size of project. From the simple mapping of a riverbed to a fully integrated investigation using all departments, the company’s structure and remit allows for a complete profile of services.

When was the company set up?

The Group was established in 2004, expanding quickly around the world. For more information on company history visit the About GEMS section.

When you say ‘integrated’ what do you mean?

The structure of the GEMS Group is such that it enables complete cooperation and interaction between departments. This encourages, for example, the geotechnical division to assist and be assisted by geophysics or metocean personnel. Such a flexibility results in a streamlining of work, seamlessly blending multiple disciplines together and reducing or removing the need for subcontracting while retaining core expertise in each discipline. Work conducted by GEMS is completed using in-house personnel and equipment, increasing efficiency and maintaining the high standards.