As divers, many of us have sedentary jobs that don’t seem to provide enough opportunities to get out and do what it is we really love. We sweat out our frustrations at the gym, hoping we’ll be able to fit into our wetsuits next time we get a chance to dive, and we often find ourselves daydreaming about dives we’ve enjoyed in the past as we plan for vacations months in advance. What if you could have a fun diving job in which you could earn a great salary, never find yourself leading groups of tourists around a reef you’ve seen millions of times, and be the hero of the day? If you choose to work as a commercial diver with a focus on maritime repairs, you could do just that. Let’s take a look.
What Do Maritime Divers Do?
Divers specializing in the maritime industry work to ensure that all kinds of vessels are kept in ship-shape condition. They work on private yachts and sailboats, cruise ships and industrial barges, fishing boats of all kinds, tugboats and fireboats, and all sorts of other vessels. If it floats on a hull or platform, you can probably assume that it needs the attention of a crew of maritime divers every now and again.
Divers provide routine maintenance and effect emergency repairs, they perform safety inspections and surveys, they clean hulls to prevent build up from affecting performance and reducing hull life, and they change enormous propellers when needed.
Often, these divers work for a commercial diving company which provides a full menu of services, and normally, they are cross trained to perform a variety of different functions. Travel is usually part of the job; skilled maritime divers based in one area sometimes find themselves traveling to areas that are underserved or areas which have suffered a major catastrophe.
Most jobs call for heavy duty equipment, including specialized drysuits designed for comfort and function, with built in communications systems and sometimes with surface supplied air.
Important Skills for Commercial Divers
Commercial divers focusing on barge and ship repairs need to be physically fit, since the job can be extremely demanding. In addition, these professionals need to possess underwater welding and cutting torch skills, have a good sense of spatial awareness, and be mechanically inclined.
Patching holes in hulls, repairing loose fittings, and working in tight spaces can be stressful. Fortunately, commercial diver training classes provide important skills so professionals can deal with a variety of tough, time-sensitive situations.
Training to become a maritime diver takes time since there are many skills to learn. Depending on the area you live in, you may be able to find courses at a local college or community college; or, you may decide to take advantage of specialized training offered by one of the many commercial diving schools worldwide. A basic open water certification is helpful, however some schools take complete novices and transform them into professionals in the space of about a year. Financial aid may be available, and compensation is excellent once you’ve gotten a bit of working experience. No more wishing; a career in maritime diving is closer than you might think.