What Aqua Survey does

Aqua Survey, Inc. is a privately held, full-service environmental surveying and ecotoxicology company headquartered in Flemington, New Jersey, founded in 1975. The company provides three core service lines: sediment sampling (using vibracoring technology including proprietary Rossfelder Electrovibracore Systems capable of collecting undisturbed 20-foot cores), geophysical surveying (using EM-ROV, Ultra Marine Magnetometer Array, airborne magnetometer gliders, and multibeam sonar), and accredited ecotoxicology laboratory testing (sediment toxicity, grain size, bioaccumulation analyses). These are supported by specialized capabilities including crime scene investigation, cultural resources/marine archaeology, vessel support, and remedial investigation. The company operates a fleet of purpose-built vessels (R/V Edison, R/V Tesla, The Manasquan, The Sandusky, The Packanack) and serves federal/state government agencies, large U.S. corporations, international environmental consulting firms, marine construction companies, and treasure recovery/maritime archaeology clients.

The business model is project-based professional services revenue, with quotes provided per project scope and a free 15-minute discovery call as the entry point for new engagements. Go-to-market is enterprise field sales targeting government agencies, large corporations, and consulting firms, supplemented by multi-channel marketing (website, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, email newsletter). The company is led by CEO and Owner Sarah Johnson, with Garrett Lawrence Hayes also referenced as CEO, Tom Dolce as President, Alex Buoyega as VP of Sales and Marketing, and Dr. Jon Doi as Vice President. Projects span the U.S. Eastern Seaboard (primarily NJ/NY), with international expeditions to Southeast Asia (Laos UXO clearance, Philippines training), Egypt (sunken cities), Bolivia (NASA/SETI astrobiology), and other locations.

Aqua Survey has built its position through five decades of accumulated field expertise, proprietary equipment, and a diversified portfolio of marquee engagements including the FEMA-funded Superstorm Sandy sediment response (2,825 cores in three weeks for New Jersey), the Atocha treasure recovery collaboration with Mel Fisher's Treasures, the Bokeo Buddha Expeditions in Laos (under Explorers Club Flag 112), and partnerships with Franck Goddio and the Smithsonian Institution for Egyptian underwater archaeology. The company has no disclosed funding rounds, no institutional investors, and operates as an independently owned corporation.

Name

Aqua Survey

Legal name

Aqua Survey, Inc.

Website

https://aquasurvey.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1975

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Aqua Survey, Inc. is a 50-year-old, privately held environmental surveying and ecotoxicology company based in Flemington, NJ, providing sediment sampling, geophysical surveying, and accredited laboratory testing to government agencies, large corporations, and consulting firms.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Surveying & Ecotoxicology Services

NAICS

Environmental Consulting Services (54162), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (541690)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Soil & Sediment Sampling (Contaminants, Nutrients, Metals) (EUAHACAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Nautical Safety, Navigation Aids & Hydrographic Services (TLAHAFAE), Aquatic Ecology & Fisheries Assessments (EUAHAHAB), Marine Surveying, Inspection & Claims (EDAOANAO)

Keywords

• Environmental surveying services
• Sediment vibracoring
• Marine geophysical survey
• Ecotoxicology laboratory testing
• UXO detection and clearance

Headquarters

HQ city

Flemington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Environmental Surveying Services: Project-based professional services for environmental surveying including sediment sampling, geophysical surveys, ecotoxicology laboratory testing, and consulting services. Revenue generated through direct project contracts with government agencies, corporations, and consulting firms.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Aqua Survey provides project-based environmental field services including sediment vibracoring (collecting undisturbed sediment cores up to 20 feet deep), underwater geophysical surveying (sonar, magnetometry, electromagnetic metal detection for UXO and archaeology), and accredited ecotoxicology laboratory testing (sediment/water toxicity, grain size, bioaccumulation). Services are delivered to government agencies, large U.S. corporations, and environmental consulting firms using a fleet of purpose-built vessels and proprietary/custom detection equipment.

Product overview

Aqua Survey is a full-service ecotoxicology and on-water survey company offering a portfolio of integrated environmental and geophysical services. The core service offerings include Sediment Sampling, Geophysical Survey, and Ecotoxicology Laboratory services, complemented by specialized capabilities such as Crime Scene Investigation, Cultural Resources documentation, Vessel Support, and Remedial Investigation. The company deploys specialized technology platforms including EM ROV systems, Ultra Marine Magnetometer Array (UMMA), Airborne Mag Survey systems, Airboat UXO Survey platforms, and Seamless Land & Water Surveys using combined multibeam sonar and photogrammetry. Aqua Survey operates a fleet of purpose-built sampling vessels including the R/V Edison, R/V Tesla, and newer additions The Manasquan, The Sandusky, and The Packanack. The company utilizes proprietary equipment such as Rossfelder Electrovibracore Systems and EM61 HP metal detection systems. Services are applied across diverse markets including environmental assessment, UXO clearance, marine archaeology, treasure recovery, and structural inspection. The company was founded in 1975 and has over 45 years of environmental field experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sediment Sampling Field sampling service using vibracoring technology to collect undisturbed sediment cores for environmental assessment, geotechnical analysis, and archaeological studies. Offered to government agencies, marine construction firms, and environmental consultants.
• Geophysical Survey Underwater detection and mapping services using sonar, magnetometers, and electromagnetic metal detection equipment to locate submerged objects, structures, UXO, and archaeological artifacts. Offered to government agencies, consulting firms, and treasure-recovery/archaeology clients.
• Ecotoxicology Laboratory Accredited laboratory performing sediment and water analyses including toxicity testing, grain size analysis, and bioaccumulation studies to support environmental risk assessment and regulatory compliance for government, corporate, and consulting clients.
• Crime Scene Investigation Underwater forensic investigation services to locate high-risk and high-value metallic objects such as firearms and evidence embedded in sediment, delivered to law enforcement and forensic clients.
• Cultural Resources Marine archaeological survey and documentation services supporting historic preservation and underwater heritage site investigation for museums, archaeological projects, and cultural-heritage clients.
• Vessel Support Marine vessel and platform deployment for various projects across diverse waterbodies, providing operational support for on-water survey and sampling missions.
• Remedial Investigation Environmental site characterization services evaluating the nature and extent of contamination risks and assessing potential remedial options for contaminated sites.
• Sediment Vibracoring Cost-effective method for collecting undisturbed, continuous sediment cores typically 3-4 inches in diameter to depths of up to 20 feet using vibrating-head technology, preserving sediment structure for contaminant, geotechnical, and archaeological analysis.
• EM ROV Remotely operated vehicle equipped with an electromagnetic coil for pinpointing both ferrous and non-ferrous metals without disturbing the seabed, designed for navigating narrow channels and hovering above sensitive habitats.
• Ultra Marine Magnetometer Array (UMMA) High-speed marine magnetometer system deployed to rapidly locate and map ferrous metal objects across large ecologically sensitive areas such as former military bombing ranges, harbors, and submerged archaeological sites.
• Airborne Mag Survey Airborne potassium-vapor magnetometer glider system that operates 15 feet above water at 50-60 mph, capable of mapping large near-shore areas for unexploded ordnance, shipwrecks, and buried pipelines.
• Airboat UXO Survey Non-intrusive floating electromagnetic coil survey system deployed on airboats for mapping both ferrous and non-ferrous metals in lakes and ponds, accelerating UXO clearance efforts.
• Seamless Land & Water Surveys Engineering-quality 3D reality modeling service combining water-side multibeam sonar with above-water photogrammetric techniques to create seamless transitions between submerged and terrestrial survey data.
• Multibeam Bathymetry Advanced sonar surveying method that collects detailed 3D maps of underwater terrain by emitting a fan of hundreds of sound beams, providing broader coverage, enhanced accuracy, and high-density point clouds for rivers, lakes, and coastal bays.
• Photogrammetry Services High-resolution 3D photogrammetric digitization service for documenting cultural heritage artifacts, creating detailed 3D models of recovered archaeological finds for museum and documentary purposes.
• R/V Edison (Research Vessel) 32-foot folding-wing pontoon research vessel designed for efficient sediment core collection, with capacity to collect up to 20-foot cores and onboard deck space for processing sediment samples.
• R/V Tesla (Research Vessel) Highly maneuverable jet boat designed by Riddle Marine for supporting diverse marine projects, featuring a spacious deck area for equipment deployment.
• The Manasquan (Vibracoring Vessel) Purpose-built vibracoring vessel designed by a marine architect for efficient sediment sampling and robust enough for electro-vibracoring operations.
• The Sandusky (Vibracoring Vessel) Purpose-built vibracoring vessel designed by a marine architect for efficient sediment sampling and robust enough for electro-vibracoring operations.
• The Packanack (Vibracoring Vessel) Purpose-built vibracoring vessel designed by a marine architect for efficient sediment sampling and robust enough for electro-vibracoring operations.
• Rossfelder Electrovibracore Systems Proprietary vibracore units (including the Rossfelder VT6 with dual 3-HP vibrational motors) deployed globally for collecting sediment cores for geotechnical and ecotoxicological analysis.
• EM61 HP Metal Detection System High-power electromagnetic detection system with suitcase-compatible configuration for identifying buried metallic artifacts in turbid, high-flow river systems, featuring custom transmitter and receiver coils.
• EM-3M 3 Meter Wide Sled Submersible high-powered electromagnetic metal detection sled deployed for mapping large areas of the sea floor in treasure recovery and archaeological operations.
• UXO Survey Capabilities Specialized unexploded ordnance survey services combining specialty vessels, geophysical survey instruments, precision positioning systems, and proprietary sediment sampling methods for safely collecting cores in UXO-contaminated areas.

Quantifiable outcome

• Collected 2,825 sediment cores in three weeks for New Jersey Superstorm Sandy response, enabling FEMA funding qualification
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• The Explorers ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2024Flag 112 issued to Aqua Survey for Bokeo Buddha Expeditions 2025. Flag returned October 13, 2025 after successful expedition identifying lost 500-year-old temple complex in Laos. Flag was flown on survey catamaran during field operations.
• Lao National Museum / Bokeo Province Provincial AuthoritiescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Sponsored partnership for Bokeo Buddha Expeditions to locate legendary bronze Buddha statue and identify lost temple complex. Lao government granted full clearance for technical staff and equipment entry. Full filming freedom granted with stipulation documentary not be accessible within Lao PDR.
• Geonics Ltd.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2022Collaboration with Geonics for EM61-LX2 development and deployment. Aqua Survey supported Geonics' development of this powerful, lightweight detection system for UXO clearance in Laos. Also used EM61 HP systems for survey operations.
• Franck Goddio / H2i DiscoverymajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Marine archaeologist Franck Goddio engaged Aqua Survey for sediment vibracoring in Egypt's sunken city of Heraklion and Alexandria's Eastern Harbor over Cleopatra's submerged palace. Cores shipped to Smithsonian Institution for analysis.
• Mel Fisher's TreasurescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Collaboration for Atocha treasure recovery operations in Key West, Florida. Aqua Survey provides EM metal detection equipment and seabed mapping while Mel Fisher's divers handle excavation and recovery.
• NASA / SETI InstitutemajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007High Lakes Expedition partnership for astrobiology research. Aqua Survey served as dedicated laboratory partner receiving water samples from Licancabur lake in Bolivian Andes and performing quantitative analyses of nutrients, trace metals and microbial indicators.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Ocean Infinity: Marine data and subsea surveying company using autonomous vessels and advanced sensors for geophysical and environmental surveys. Comparable marine survey capability but with much larger capital base and AUV/ASV fleet.

Broad incumbents

• Fugro: Global geophysical, geotechnical, and survey services firm with extensive marine site characterization capabilities. Comparable to Aqua Survey's geophysical survey and sediment sampling lines but at vastly larger scale and broader geographic footprint.
• GHD: Global professional services firm with environmental, water, and geotechnical practices. Overlaps with Aqua Survey's sediment sampling, ecotoxicology, and remedial investigation services for government and industrial clients.
• Woolpert: Architecture, engineering, and geospatial services firm with strong hydrographic survey, lidar, and marine mapping capabilities. Comparable in geophysical and bathymetric survey delivery, particularly for federal and port authority clients.
• Tetra Tech: Large environmental and engineering consulting firm with water, sediment, and contaminated-site practices. Overlaps with Aqua Survey's ecotoxicology lab, remedial investigation, and sediment sampling services, particularly for government and municipal clients.
• AECOM: Global infrastructure and environmental consulting firm with significant marine and coastal restoration, dredging support, and site assessment practices. Comparable client base (government, port authorities, prime consultants) and overlapping service scope.

Direct peers

• Geonics Limited: Manufacturer of EM61 and related electromagnetic detection systems used in UXO and environmental surveys. Aqua Survey is a named development and deployment partner for the EM61-LX2, making Geonics a direct competitor/collaborator in the same instrument and survey niche.
• Klein Marine Systems: Manufacturer of side-scan sonars and marine survey systems used in hydrographic, harbor, and subsea detection applications. Comparable technology class to Aqua Survey's multibeam and sonar-based geophysical survey offerings.
• CSA Ocean Sciences: Specialized marine environmental consulting firm providing oceanographic, geophysical, and diving-based survey services. Comparable niche focus on marine environmental assessment and underwater survey operations.
• BLS Engineering: Hydrographic and marine surveying firm offering geophysical, bathymetric, and underwater inspection services. Comparable in scale and service mix to Aqua Survey for nearshore and inland waterway survey projects.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/AquaSurvey
• Facebookfacebook.com/aquasurvey
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aqua-survey-inc.
• Instagraminstagram.com/aquasurveyinc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aqua Survey