Commercial Diving; Workers of the Deep
Have you ever wondered who builds offshore oil platforms, places the foundations for bridges and dams, or maintains the cooling tanks for nuclear reactors?
Introduction
Have you ever wondered who builds offshore oil platforms, places the foundations for bridges and dams, or maintains the cooling tanks for nuclear reactors? The answer is simple: Commercial Divers. These skilled professionals are the backbone of a wide range of critical infrastructure projects, working in some of the most challenging environments on Earth. From underwater construction to salvage operations, commercial divers play a vital role in ensuring the integrity and safety of structures that support modern life. At The Ocean Corporation, we train the next generation of commercial divers, equipping them with the skills, certifications, and safety protocols needed to excel in this demanding and rewarding field.
What is Commercial Diving?
Commercial diving is a specialized profession that involves inspecting, maintaining, and repairing underwater structures and equipment. This can include everything from bridges and oil rigs to ships, wind turbines, and even nuclear reactors. Unlike recreational diving, commercial divers use surface-supplied air, subsea communication systems, and large decompression/recompression chambers to perform their duties safely and efficiently. The Ocean Corporation’s comprehensive program provides the training and certifications required to work in this challenging field, preparing divers to tackle the most demanding underwater tasks.
What Do Commercial Divers Do?
Commercial divers perform a wide range of tasks depending on the specific job and industry they are working in. Some examples include:
Inspection: Using nondestructive testing techniques, divers inspect underwater structures for signs of wear and damage, such as cracks or corrosion. The Ocean Corporation’s training program covers these essential skills, ensuring our graduates are ready to perform thorough and accurate inspections.
Maintenance and Repair: Divers use specialized tools and equipment to repair and maintain underwater structures. This includes underwater welding, cutting, and the installation of new components. Our program includes hands-on training in underwater welding and other critical maintenance techniques.
Construction: Commercial divers are often involved in the construction of new underwater structures, such as oil rigs and offshore wind turbines. The Ocean Corporation teaches the necessary skills for safely and effectively building these complex structures.
Salvage: Divers may be involved in recovering sunken ships and other underwater objects. Many of our graduates have worked on high-profile salvage operations, like the recovery of the Costa Concordia, the largest ship salvage operation in history.
Environmental: Divers also perform ecological monitoring, cleanup, and sampling, contributing to the preservation of our underwater environments.
Hazardous Materials Handling: Some divers are trained to handle dangerous materials, such as chemicals or radioactive substances, found underwater. All Ocean Corp diving graduates receive HAZWOPER and contaminated water training to prepare for these high-risk situations.
Technology in Commercial Diving: With the advancement of technology, commercial diving now incorporates the use of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and advanced sonar systems, which increase safety and efficiency. TOC’s program ensures students are well-versed in these modern tools, preparing them for the future of diving.
Safety in Commercial Diving
Safety is paramount in commercial diving. Divers face various hazards, such as pressure changes, dangerous marine life, and equipment malfunctions. The Ocean Corporation emphasizes rigorous safety training, ensuring that every diver is prepared to handle these challenges.
Key Safety Measures
Pre-Dive Checks: Thoroughly inspecting all equipment before each dive.
Adequately Staffed Team: Working in teams ensures that help is available in case of an emergency.
Emergency Procedures: Having detailed plans in place for emergencies, including decompression sickness and equipment failure.
How Do I Become a Commercial Diver?
Becoming a commercial diver requires rigorous training and certification. In the United States, the primary certifications needed to work as a commercial diver are issued by the Association of Diving Contractors International (ADCI) and the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA).
The Ocean Corporation is the only commercial diving school in the U.S. that can issue both certifications, providing our graduates with a significant advantage in the job market.
Training Program Overview
The Ocean Corporation’s commercial diving program is a 30-week course designed to equip students with the practical skills and technical knowledge necessary for a successful career in commercial diving. Our program includes:
Core Diving Skills: Covering essential skills such as rigging, diving physics, equipment maintenance, and emergency procedures.
Advanced Diving Skills: Including advanced mixed-gas diving, bell and saturation diving, and underwater welding and cutting, with opportunities to earn certifications in accordance with AWS D3.6M.
Technical and Inspection Skills: Focused on nondestructive testing (NDT) methods like Magnetic Particle and Ultrasonic Testing, ensuring our graduates are prepared to assess the integrity of submerged structures.
Career Development: Offering guidance on job search strategies, resume writing, and interview techniques, as well as an overview of the commercial diving industry and its history.
Sign Up Today and Dive into Your Future!
With the demand for commercial divers at an all-time high, there has never been a better time to start your career in this exciting and rewarding field. The Ocean Corporation provides the comprehensive training you need to succeed, with classes starting every five weeks.