Commercial divers perform a range of underwater activities related to construction, salvage, search, inspection, repair work and photography. They work for commercial diving contractors, shipping and marine construction companies, engineering companies, and oil and gas companies with offshore operations.
As a commercial diver, you are expected to be able to perform a number of different tasks. Much of your work involves construction and inspection. You examine vessels, docks, piers, pipelines, and other structures in order to assess their condition. In some cases, test sampling and underwater photography, both still and video, may be used to assess a particular situation. Plans are drawn up from the assessment and you are assigned specific tasks to carry out in conjunction with other members of the dive team.
Your construction duties may involve the use of hand and power tools, compressed air, and pneumatic equipment. Welding, burning, and drilling are a few of the tasks that you may carry out during your dives. Salvage operations may involve using cranes, winches, cables, and derricks, to raise sunken objects. In some circumstances, explosives may be used.
You can either work full-time for one company or work on contract for specific projects with a number of different companies. Contract work will give you an opportunity to gain a wide range of experience by doing many different tasks. If you are a full-time worker, you will draw a salary. If you specialize in contract work, you will probably be paid by the hour.
Work is seasonal and the market for this occupation is competitive. The work is demanding but with the right credentials, you may find yourself anywhere in the world.
Experience is key in this business. Diving certification alone does not qualify you for underwater construction. You have to dedicate yourself to learning in this profession. If you are just entering the field, you will probably be placed in a support position until you become familiar with the equipment and techniques used for particular jobs. You will, however, be continuously challenged to adapt to new environments and to acquire skills with new equipment.
The work can be physically demanding and , in some cases, it is dangerous. Safety is extremely important in this job.
You usually work with other people, sometimes in frigid water temperatures or dark environments. You are expected to be able to work year-round in all sorts of conditions. Furthermore, travel is involved with many of the assignments and you should be prepared to take up a job at very short notice.
You must be flexible with your time since there are no set hours for this work.
Given the nature of the work, the equipment it involves, and the conditions under which it is performed, you must be extremely safety conscious. You should be cool and collected at all times. Mechanical ability is a must since you are expected to carry out a wide variety of tasks often with machinery.
As a commercial diver, you are likely to work in teams. Since communication under water is limited, pre-planning is essential to ensure that a job is fully understood by all members of the team. If you are in a supervisory position, you must be well organized and have a clear plan as to how jobs are to be carried out.