Diver

Divers carry out a range of tasks underwater. The work is divided into:

• inshore diving – up to 12 miles from the coastline, and


• offshore diving – work on the seabed carried out from ships or oil rigs and platforms.

The Work

As a diver in the offshore oil and gas industry, you could be:

• diving up to a depth of 50 metres using wet bells (or 'open bells') and surface chambers


• ‘saturation diving' (also called 'closed bell diving') to depths beyond 50 metres


• doing a range of underwater tasks on oil and gas installations, such as surveying, building and repairing


• carrying out non-destructive testing (NDT), for example inspecting concrete and metal joints visually, using video and still cameras


• identifying faults and weaknesses in oil and gas installations and doing repairs and general maintenance


• cutting concrete and steel


• welding – both wet and dry – involving manual metal arc welding and using underwater electrodes.

• Civil Engineering: this often involves using hydraulic and pneumatic tools in projects such as harbours, bridges, oil rigs, offshore wind farms, canals and sewage out-falls.


• Marine Science: most of those involved in diving are scientists by training, such as biologists, chemists and geologists. Diving is only part of the work they do, which could include studying the distribution of sea-life, the effects of pollution, or the testing of equipment for use at sea.


• Media Diving: this could include carrying out underwater photography, video or filming for magazines, television or the cinema. Some divers are from a scientific background (see above); others are qualified photographers.


• Nautical Archaeology: this could include surveying sunken vessels and other submerged objects, to make sure that they are not a hazard to passing shipping. Occasionally, divers might get involved in salvage work.


• Police: this could include underwater searching in lakes, rivers, canals, sewers and cesspits for stolen property or human remains, or searching for explosives for security reasons.


• Recreational Diving: in this field, diving instructors work mostly in swimming pools or tourist resorts, teaching snorkelling and scuba diving, underwater navigation and safety and care of equipment.


• Army: divers from the Royal Engineers carry out underwater searches and underwater engineering work.


• Royal Navy: this could include searching for and dealing with unexploded bombs and mines, and inspecting and maintaining the hulls of ships. Ship’s divers in the Fleet Air Arm could be involved in rescuing people from capsized vessels or crashed aircraft.

Conditions

• The work can be cold, difficult and dangerous.


• You may have to use specialised equipment in awkward conditions with very restricted vision under water.


• Your only contact with the surface might be a communication line.


• In deep-sea diving, you would have to work from a diving bell which can be cramped, and then spend long periods in a decompression chamber, in communication only with life support technicians.


• You have to wear protective clothing and breathing apparatus to survive underwater.


• You are likely to work irregular hours, although the actual time you would spend underwater is strictly controlled.


• You are likely to work on contracts which can be short-term and at short notice, and which often involve spending nights away from home.


• Likely locations include the North Sea, the Gulf of Mexico or the Indian Ocean.

Getting In

• Anyone wishing to dive professionally in Great Britain must gain a relevant qualification approved by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).


• Many commercial divers first gain academic or technical qualifications relevant to their chosen industry. For example, they may first train in science, engineering, welding or photography. They would then attend a diving school.


• There are no set academic requirements for entry to diving training. It can be useful to have experience of diving for recreation, but this is not essential.


• There are courses for those wishing to become commercial divers in diving schools in coastal centres such as the Underwater Centre at Fort William in the Highlands. These lead to diving qualifications approved by the HSE. The particular qualification would depend on the type of diving work. A full list is available from the HSE. Most courses are private, have significant tuition fees and accommodation costs and last from three to four weeks.


• To work offshore in the oil industry you must pass an offshore survival course such as the Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training Certificate (BOSIET). Contact Cogent for details.


• You need to be physically fit with good night vision. There is a strict medical examination and this must be updated each year of your diving career.


• Because of recent developments in the oil and gas industry and in the renewable energy industry there is currently a world shortage of qualified divers.


• Another area of diving showing a lot of growth is recreational instruction. However, entry is competitive, the amount of work available varies according to the time of year and pay may not be as high as in other types of diving.


• There is an upper age limit of 37 for entry to all trades in the Royal Navy, including diving.

What Does It Take?

You need to have:

• good physical fitness and stamina with excellent swimming skills


• relevant practical, technical or professional skills


• a methodical approach, with attention to detail


• good concentration to work in difficult conditions


• a strong sense of responsibility.

• highly safety conscious


• able to remain calm in an emergency


• resourceful, able to think quickly and use your initiative


• able to work alone and also as part of a team.

Training

• Commercial divers train at an HSE-approved centre such as the Underwater Centre before taking up a diving career.


• Those in other professions, for example, scientists and archaeologists may also have to pay for their own diving school training. In some cases, however, their employers may sponsor them.


• The police and armed forces have their own training schemes. Police constables can apply for diver training after their initial two year probation period is over. Royal Navy officers and ratings can train to be Direct Entry Divers or can apply for diver training from another specialisation.

Getting On

• Many professional divers are self-employed. Some contracts can be very short; others can be long-term.


• After experience as an air diver you can train in closed bell diving and become a saturation diver.


• In some areas of employment you may get promotion to posts such as supervisor or underwater inspector.


• Some divers combine teaching and diving to become instructors.


• You may need to move around the country to find work. There may also be opportunities to work abroad.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual salaries vary considerably, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of the company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

• Inshore divers carrying out unskilled work start around £120 a day, rising to £150 a day.


• Offshore divers in Scotland can earn an average of £32,000 a year.


• Experienced mixed gas divers working offshore can earn over £1000 a day.

More Information

At the end of 2006 there were 3261 operational subsea wells and it is forecast that by 2011 there will be almost 6,000. The dramatic rise in oil prices and increase in exploration has led to a worldwide shortage of trained, experienced divers.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.