ABSTRACT:This paper deals with the development of a measuring procedure and an experimental set-up (stereo camera system in combination with a projecting line laser and a positioning unit) which are intended to detect the surface topography, particularly of welds, with high accuracy in underwater environments. The system concept makes provision for the fact that the device can be positioned in space and manipulated by hand. The development, optimization and testing of the system components for surface measurements as well as calibration and accuracy evaluations are the main objectives within this research project. Testing procedures and probes are constructed and evaluated to verify the results. First results will be shown, where the test objects are underwater. The development considers conditions for a future adaption to underwater use.