Commercial divers perform underwater tasks for industries in construction, energy and infrastructure. Unlike recreational diving, it’s more work-focused. Divers use special equipment. They follow strict safety protocols. They complete different jobs that range from repairing pipelines to. Inspecting dams. It requires training, certification and adaptability to handle challenging situations.
How can commercial drivers help you?
- Commercial divers help with underwater construction. They weld or cut metals for offshore oil rigs, bridges or dams. They install pipelines and underwater structures. They use hydraulic grinders or concrete to get the work done.
- They do inspections and repairs by checking the ship’s hulls, dams or offshore platforms. They perform non-destructive testing, for example, ultrasonic scans to assess structural damage. They fix leaks, cracks or corrosion.
- Salvage operations recover sunken vessels, cargo or equipment. They clear debris from waterways to ensure safe navigation.
- They work in the sewage system, chemical tanks or nuclear facilities. They follow the decontamination procedures to avoid exposure.
- Divers perform environmental and scientific work by collecting samples of pollution. They are responsible for checking the marine ecosystem. They also specialize in underwater archaeological sites.
Types of commercial diving
- Professional commercial diving has a specialized role. Some key categories include offshore divers. They work on oil rigs or underwater pipelines. They live on ships and platforms for weeks. They use surface-supplied air or saturation systems for deep dives.
- Civil engineers get help from divers who operate in rivers, lakes or dams. They repair bridges and inspect hydroelectric plants.
- Hazmat diving handles toxic spills, sewage or contaminated water. The divers wear protective suits and undergo thorough decontamination.
- Salvage divers retrieve sunken objects and clear shipwrecks. They use rigging and lifting equipment.
- Potable water divers clean and maintain the drinking water tanks. They follow strict hygiene protocols.
- Scientific divers film underwater scenes for documentaries. They assist researchers in marine biology or geology.
All divers use a specific breathing system. It has surface-supplied air. It’s a standard for most jobs. Air is pumped from the surface via an umbilical hose. The saturation systems are used for deep dives.
The divers live in pressurized chambers and transfer to work via diving bells. They wear protective suits to keep them dry in cold or contaminated water. A hot water suit keeps them warm. It pumps warm water through the suit for long dives in freezing temperatures.
They use underwater welding and cutting gear, along with hydraulic drills, cameras and sonar devices.
Industries that rely on commercial diving
- Oil and gas industries use commercial divers to maintain offshore rigs and pipelines. The divers inspect underwater equipment.
- The infrastructure industry relies on commercial divers. They help with building and inspecting bridges, dams or switch systems. They install underwater cables.
- Maritime diving includes cleaning ship hulls to reduce drag and repairing propellers or thrusters.
- Environmental diving cleans up oil spills or hazardous waste. They observe the coral reefs along with the fish population.
Commercial diving is physically demanding. The divers have to carry heavy gear in strong currents and work in tight spaces. They also face environmental risks like extreme cold and contaminated water. The irregular work hours sometimes have them working 12-hour shifts for weeks. This job is either Seasonal or project-based.