The member companies worked closely together for many years prior to the formation of the Alliance. They established themselves as members of the Subsea Propeller Inc. (SPI) underwater propeller repair network in 1988. A former LIPS Propellers product (Now Wartsila Corporation), the SPI network gave the member companies the capability to perform cold static load straightening of propellers underwater. 

In 1998 the team formalized their relationship by establishing the Subsea Solutions Alliance with the common goals and objectives to:
  • Better serve clients with cost effective underwater repair and maintenance solutions globally.
  • Create a Research and Development organization to develop cutting edge underwater repair techniques.
  • Establish industry safety and performance standards for underwater repair processes.
  • Create and maintain a training program by establishing facilities and standardized programs for all member companies to utilize. This ensures that all divers would learn the “Best Practices” created by the alliance, and by the individual companies alike.

Shortly after it’s formation in 1998, The Subsea Solutions Alliance formalized an agreement with Blohm and Voss Industrie GMBH (BVI) to be their exclusive approved underwater seal repair and replacement company globally. To achieve this milestone in the industry, the Alliance had to produce three TransHab systems and successfully demonstrate the quality and workmanship of the procedure by the destructive testing of lip seal bonds carried out within TransHab at a depth of 12 meters. To further prove the TransHab system, the (SSA) commissioned engineering studies and tests to confirm that safety factors applied to the TransHab materials and design are more than three (3) times the working load exerted on the unit. 
 
These engineering studies and tests resulted in the Subsea Solutions Alliance obtaining classification society approval for the TransHab to confirm that it is Fit for Purpose. Since 1998, Subsea Solutions Alliance diver / technicians have attended numerous hours of factory training on the OEM procedures for lip seal systems.

The Subsea Solutions Alliance has been credited with many achievements over the years including the following:

  • TransHab - the world’s first underwater inflatable habitat for underwater seal replacement. Winner of the Coveted EMERGO award for innovation in the Netherlands
    • Demonstrated SSA’s commitment to product innovation, without funding from external sources and working together as an international organization to support the product development.
  • Cofferdams for tunnel thruster repairs or extractions of compact design capable of being broken down and shipped as checked baggage on commercial airliners.
  • Pocket Press - a propeller straightening press designed to be broken down and shipped as checked baggage on commercial airliners.
  • First diving companies to produce “A” class underwater weld procedures with six of the major Class Societies.