Careers in Diving - Interview with Commercial Diver Eric Woltjen
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- Опубликовано: 8 сен 2024
- READ THIS FIRST: Before you ask a question about commercial diving, diver training, etc. READ THE COMMENTS HERE. Your question has probably already been asked and answered. If you ask a question that has already been answered, you will NOT get a reply. About the video: Eric Woltjen is a commercial diver with Global Diving and Salvage in Seattle, Washington. In this video, from our Careers in Diving program, Eric explains the pros and cons of working as a commercial diver. Included are underwater burning and rigging scenes.
This is awesome. I'm currently working as a contract worker and my latest contract was with global on PSNS over here in bremerton. I'm going to be going to DIT next year and I already have a foot in the door with global. The supervisors and safety members there let me get their information to use as a reference so hopefully I can end up working where this guy is! :D
hamsterman1995 Word of Advice?!? First of all, Know how to Swim BEFORE you start Dive School! You have to Absolutely LOVE the Water! It is Your Freind, Your Lover, Your Future and your Paycheck! You MUST also be Pretty Physically Fit! Not Navy Seal Fit but at least be able to run a couple Miles a day a couple times a week! Also get into a weight lifting/Push up/sit up Routine! It WILL come in handy! KEEP YOURSELF BUSY! You got down time? Straighten out and Inventory the Tool Shack! Keep Hoses and Lines IN order AND Good working Order! Listen and OBEY your Dive Sup, IN School as well! HE IS GOD! When it's YOUR turn to be Dive Sup in School, Remember, You are NOT God! But KNOW YOUR SHIT, BE DECISIVE AND BE RIGHT!!! Do NOT hesitate to KICK a fellow STUDENT off YOUR Job Site For ANY Safety Infractions! Want Respect? Give it! PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE AND PRACTICE AGAIN With your School Dive Chamber! I would PRACTICE for hours every single day after class and on days i was Not in Class! Also Read off the procedures and Depths Out Loud When taking your "Chamber Test" Teachers Like that Shit! ie. Get your money's worth out of your Tuition! STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY STUDY! No one else is gonna DO it for you! The drinking and bar's will STILL be there AFTER YOU Graduate! IF and it's a Freakin Big IF, You have ANY Questions about ANYTHING, ask it BEFORE you do Anything! Period! Volunteer for Anything and Everything on the Job AND in School! Helps you learn things Faster! Also remember that your NOT gonna learn Shit about the Trade until you GET on the job, "Diving" Is just a "Tool" to get to the job! So don't get Frustrated, it will come to you!
I went to the
College of Oceaneering in Wilmington, CA. as a Weld Tech, Learned from a Vietnam Era Navy Seal! Old School man! Class of 10-96, October 1996! Had a Freakin BLAST man! Was also the Top of my Class! My name Tim J Haverland is on a plaque as you walk into the main Building!
I worked for Cal Dive out of Morgan City LA. Louisiana! Not "Lost Anusesgles"! Just over a year after I Graduated 18Nov97 I was Rear ended by a Semi doing 55mph Carrying 70,000lbs of Sugar, and I was stopped on the Freeway! Fucked me up Good! Ended my Dive Career! As short as it was. But you should have seen the Semi, I ended IT'S Career as well! 😆😆😆 Ok too long,
Good Luck Bro!
hamsterman1995 One more thing, Take Scuba diving lessons! And Never EVER hold your breath under water! 😎😎😎
How’d that all end up going?
Well said and we'll spoken and defined by a true professional diver! Very impressive!
well said man. thanks!
Ha I just got accepted to DIT...as well as a school in Huston
Congratulations!
Which did you end up going to? And would you recommend it?
Nice video, very well stated!
I work with one of the divers in this video down here in TX. Cool shit.
Thanks!
Just to start off I'm a young guy, 18 years old to be specific with a mechanical background. From what I've researched over the past few months I've learned quite a bit about the diving hierarchy. I have never been scuba diving but I plan on getting certified soon to see if I even like it. My plan would be to do that, acquire a topside welding cert then go to school whether it be CDA, DIT, or the Louisiana one. Then either gain some job experience for a couple years or further my education for a saturation ticket. In the end (meaning after i'm recognized as a strong employee to various companies) I'd like to be comfortably sat diving hopefully 5-6 months out of the year. Can someone give me their thoughts or advice on my plan? I am new to most of this but very well read.
I think your plan is reasonable in terms of the sequence of events. However, 1) You may not like diving, 2) You may not have an aptitude for welding, and 3) You can't count on getting 5-6 months of saturation work per year unless you are truly an exceptional diver, and even then, given the cyclical nature of the oil industry, you could be great and not work that much every year. I truly hope you would be that successful, but I'm not sure your expectations for how much work you can expect are realistic.
Noah Lathrop Number 1 thing?!? Learn how to Swim! 🤔🤔🤔
Get experience in the Navy
Noah Lathrop dude just join the navy.......
Dumb question... ok imagine this.... you're a diver, you suit up, big process takes lots of expert help for the more intense projects, get all the stuff on, drysuit, helmet, straps and cables etc etc etc. You & your crew get you placed in the water, descend, get out your welding stick (or whatever) and your tools -- 30 minutes go by and you've done some seriously intense welding and you need a break, big time, or you'll start making mistakes. What happens then? Go back up to the surface and get out of all your gear and all that? -- or do they go a few yards away from the oil platform or whatever you're working on. Do you lay down on the sea floor, or sit in a harness and rest - or what. Abbreviated version of my question: on a project that isn't done, how do you take a break? What's the commercial diver equivalent of sitting at a work site and having a sandwich or a coffee or a smoke if you do that (I don't but it's a common 'break') or if you just need a breather? Thank you. Excellent video!
Thanks for your kind words. If you're feeling bad enough that all you can make is 30 minutes underwater you should not even start the dive. My longest working dive was 4 hours and 45 minutes at 400 feet and I was seriously dragging my butt at the end of that time underwater. Then I had to sit through another 4 hours plus of my bell mate making his lock-out. If you just need a breather for a minute or two when you have been busting butt, you'll get it, but nobody will allow you to sit around for 5-10 minutes to take a break while the clock is ticking. If you're not fit enough to handle the work, you'd better look for another job.
Wow. Thank you so much for this thoughtful reply. I appreciate it and definitely appreciate this amazingly challenging career.
You're welcome.
Hochuck Winnebago Break?!? You want a Fucking BREAK At 140 ft. AFTER ONLY 30 MINUTES?!? Your MOMMY'S NOT gonna be Down there holding your Fucking Hand Dude! You "Need" a Break, You Need a New Job! I was on a job inspecting Navy Ship Hull's and was in the Water, Fighting Currents for 12 Fucking Hours Straight! Not ONE SINGLE FUCKIN BREAK! Fucking Kids nowadays!
That was a Nice Paycheck though! 😎😎😎
Wow, Eric you're my hero. How lucky you were to get a good job with Global Salvage, perhaps you gained so much experience in the six months since leaving dive school that you were head hunted by them and you are now their CEO
This dude… 🤙🏼
Great Interview, answered a lot of questions!
Eric seems to be a legit nice guy
He is.
The big problem for me is the pay, its just not enough for the work and risk.
Don’t become a commercial diver for the money.
I’m an experienced pipe fitter and combo welder. Lots of pipeline experience also. I love the water and want to work in it so bad. Are the majority of the jobs out there based in the oil field, I know that’s always up and down. So in that case is bridge work, ship repair and salvage jobs in few and far between or can smaller jobs like that keep you afloat until oils prices go up?
I don't know of any truly large/international diving companies, like Oceaneering International, that do underwater welding exclusively. I had friends who did underwater welding, but did other diving work, too, because generally there just isn't enough wet welding work to keep a company busy all the time with that one specialty. You would have to do some research and see what you could find out. Perhaps if you were exceptionally talented, you could move from company to company as the jobs arose, but that would leave to an even more nomadic lifestyle than even most divers want or like. A quick search turned up the website listed below of companies that allegedly specialize in underwater welding. You need to do your own research and contact them to see what they have to say. waterwelders.com/top-10-commercial-diving-employers-5-is-a-behemoth-in-underwater-welding/
MrAquaImage hey you are the man for the fast response! But I’m not really too concerned with only welding. I can fit, bolt up and other labor. Just was asking if work can stay plentiful if when oil prices are down. Finding the right school is proving tough, trade school all promote a lot of bullshit at least from what my gut says. But still have to go to get started. What’s the number one school you would recommend with quality instruction. (If you even know)
The work in the offshore oilfields typically falls off when the price of oil is down. That's true. A truly versatile diver will probably continue to be able to work, but he may have to move to other places and work for other companies. I attended Santa Barbara City College's Marine Tech program. If you can move to Santa Barbara and establish residency, the school is inexpensive (but living in Santa Barbara is not).
I'm 34. Am I too old to start school and become a commercial diver?
I won't say it's impossible, but you are on the outside of the envelope. Keep in mind that if you did enter the industry, you would probably end up tending for guys where were already divers who were in their early 20s. Not everyone is ready to handle that.
Jesse Hahka yes you’re BEAT. sorry just being honest
*Dont waste ya $$$$*
Just do it.
just remember once you finally finish being a tender and become a diver you have to pass a dive physical every year . when i was 37 stuff started not working no pass physical no work .
this guy: all about dat money
+Benjamin Hornby That's right, it is ALL about the money. And if you can get paid for doing something you love, then it's a pretty good deal. Better than flipping burgers at McDonalds for a lot less and hating your work.
Benjamin Hornby and then have worn out at a age off 45 years old.
I've known divers who continued diving well into their 50's, but you're right, it's rare. By that age, most are going into supervision or management, or have left the industry to pursue other careers.
Gijs Hennnie That's when you get the BIG paychecks! Diving Sup! (Supervisor) For all you Land Lubber's! 😲 😆😆😆
Benjamin Hornby lol hehehe
I'm 16 gonna get my welding degrees, what should I be eying right now?
Scuba, fund out if you like being underwater if you haven't already, Open Water is what you want to do, its a little pricy but I paid for it myself when I was 16.
Great video, I appreciate the upload.
It did raise some questions for me, do you have any knowledge on the state of the European diving market? I'd very much like to finish my degree in maritime archaeology and split my career between commercial diving and underwater archaeology since both fields can be lacking in work. Do you reckon this is feasible? Perhaps you've had some experience or connections with scientific diving as well
Since I created this video, I have retired and I'm sorry, but I don't know the state of the current European diving market. However, I can give you some general comments based upon my 35 plus years of experience in working in diving, and my association with scientific diving which I consulted to throughout my career. If you have a valuable trade skill (welding, mechanics, pipe fitting, etc), you can usually make a lot more money working as a commercial diver than as a scientific diver. I don't think it would be very realistic to expect to split your time between scientific and commercial diving. You really should pick one or the other.
@@MrAquaImage appreciate your response, as I'm sure all the other commenters do too! Enjoy your retirement
Thanks for the video man. Wicked helpful. I am completely inexperienced in all of this and I'm just finishing college - what does rigging mean? And can you get into this career w/o having prior experience in anything mechanical/technical?
Rigging is using fiber, synthetic, or wire rope to lift or secure items either topside or underwater. For example, you might fasten a wire rope to an anchor to lift it off the bottom on a salvage job. You can get into the diving field without previous mechanical experience, but you need some other type of skill to bring to the job. Prior to attending diving school at Santa Barbara, I had zero mechanical experience, but over the course of the two year program I learned to weld, took engine mechanics, rigging, mechanical drawing, etc. I also had a strong background in photography and knew how to process film, something that was a valuable commodity at that time. I could also write and my ability to write technical reports was considered another valuable skill. You need to have something that you can do that will help to get the job done.
Awesome. Thank you. So I could teach myself some other practical skills for the job during diving school? Are those skills you mentioned the primary ones relevant to commercial diving? If I'm not a big fan of welding does that preclude me from having much success as a commercial diver considering I don't have any technical skills? The irony of college is that you can spend years and years earning a bachelors and have no actual technical or practical skills at the end of it.
Again, thank you for all this information.
I have no idea of your abilities, so whether you could teach yourself practical skills is something I can't tell you. The diving school I went to had the classes I already told you about as well as small boat handling and navigation, hydraulics, oilfield technology, etc. I seriously doubt you can learn all of these subjects on your own. You don't need to be proficient in every topic, but you need to at least be familiar with them. For example, you don't necessarily need to be a coded welder, but you need to at least be able to tack a piece of equipment down to a steel deck so that it doesn't move. You should have one area of expertise that you are proficient in, whether you are pipe fitter, a welder, a mechanic, an electrician, etc. If there's nothing you're good at, your value to a diving crew is not very high. The diving is just the vehicle to get you to the job. The more skills you have, the more employable you will be. As the sign on the wall at my school used to say, "Nobody will pay you to make bubbles."
Thanks for the info.
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it.
Does a dive med tech weld? Or stay top side?
I'm 25 years old and thinking of switching to commercial diving (from boring tedious IT, need more adventure and excitement), but am I'm I too old to pursue this path?
Not really too old. But you have a couple of things to think about. If you have zero diving experience, you really should take scuba lessons to see if you like being underwater. If you go to commercial diving school, it may take a few months to get hired and then you will have to serve an apprenticeship that may last anywhere from 6 months to several years. Finally, most people don't make a lifetime career out of commercial diving. People generally do it from 7-10 years before either promoting into management or finding a different career.
Thanks for the info! There is actually a scuba class near me I've been planning on taking.
On the positive side, if you really like diving, attend commercial diving school, and go to work in the dive industry, your IT skills will be highly valued.
Interesting, good to know. Thanks!
I'm excited Indian Navy diver..my age is 34.can I become commercial diver and how much money monthly in this field?
Does the dive helmet help in relieving pressure on the head and/or inner ear? Or is it more of an underwarter 'hard hat'
Ive only ever been scuba diving but when I do I sometimes get strong pain in my ears and cannot equalise. Does that stop my chances of ever being a commercial diver?
Relieving pressure is NOT the function of the diving helmet. The pressure inside the helmet is equal to the surrounding water pressure. The purpose of the helmet is to provide breathing gas, communications to the surface, to keep the head warm and dry, and to provide mechanical protection against impacts. I was one of those people who frequently had trouble equalizing, but actually found it easier to equalize in a diving helmet than with scuba, because in addition to pinching my nostrils to equalize, I could also wiggle my jaw and yawn (something you can't do well with a regulator in your mouth). If you are serious about becoming a commercial diver, you should go see a diving physician and/or ENT doctor (ear, nose, and throat) and have them determine whether you have a physical problem that might preclude you from becoming a commercial diver.
MrAquaImage Thank you very much for this very informative and rapid reply. I must say that from just scrolling through the comments in a few of your videos your dedication to replying to your viewers is excellent
Thanks for your kind words.
hey got couple question as everyone else. So i'm thinking about pursuing this career ,i'm currently 21 never been scuba diving but i'm familiar with welding, what advice would you give? would you recommend DIT and their 7 months?
Learn to scuba dive first and see if you even like being underwater. If you do, DIT is a decent school. If you are a diver AND a skilled welder, you would be a valuable commodity. If you are just "familiar" with welding, your value is not as high as if you are a coded welder, a pipeline welder, etc.
question when you go to work do you need your own equipement or is it provided?
The diving company you work for is going to provide all major equipment, such as compressors, diving hoses, chambers, etc. You will generally have to provide all your personal equipment, such as a wetsuit, steel toed boots, safety helmet, gloves, etc. Some diving companies will provide their divers with a helmet, but some don't. It just depends who you work for. This will generally be explained to you when you get an interview to be hired. If it isn't you need to ask.
As an old Navy Diver from MK12 to the MK21 I will say a nice intro to the industry. One piece of constructive criticism, you brag about your pay in the "North West". You should tell viewers that the "Union" money is earned, not given! It is a very dangerous job in a market that is flooded by fresh recruits out of dive schools every 6 months looking for the money from the 80's. Not the case! But a great tutorial on the industry.
I live in the gulf south of Louisiana. I recently decided to check commercial diving school in Morgan city and a guy i know said that they don’t do it anymore no more underwater welding bc everybody uses robots is this true or not?
Not true. There are many people who still work underwater. There are remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) that do a some of the work that was performed by divers, but there will probably always be a need for divers. Here's a link to one of the very large commercial diving companies in the world, Oceaneering, www.oceaneering.com/diving/. They also use ROVs, many times in conjunction with divers.
MrAquaImage thanks for responding to me. I’m a pipe welder with no diving experience and I want to become an underwater welder ASAP. How long will it take and do you think it’s worth it? I’m already 31 years old. I def would like to know if there will be job security or not bc of the robots r whatever rovs
At 31 you're reaching the high side from the standpoint of age. You can do it, but there are a number of considerations. If you've never been diving, how do you know you will be able to handle being underwater? If you have zero diving experience, take sport scuba diving lessons and see if you can handle being underwater. Also, realize, unless you are the world's greatest welder, in super high demand, you're probably going to spend anywhere from 1-3 years as a tender once you get out of diving school. Maybe if you're a coded welder, and you happen to get hired by a company that has a major pipeline repair job, and you have a fabulous attitude and are easy to get along with, you might move up faster, but that's a lot of maybes.
MrAquaImage no I see your point and that’s what I was really concerned about is the demand
LoL!!!!! ........ You gotta learn to get on with him, "You might save his life one day!" I wouldn't want to be in the Bell with you pal!!
how to work can come like this. do I have to have any certificates?
Yes, you must have a certificate from a recognized commercial diving school. You cannot get a job without one.
100 dollars in one hour. Minimun paid for 4 hours. WTF. It´s pretty weird that it all pays of for the diving company. And not only that. What about all the gear they need to do the work.
+grimlund Sorry, but I don't understand your questions. If you can clarify them, I will try to answer them.
I´m from sweden. My english is not the best.
I just thought it must be pretty expensive bussines for the diving company. Not just the pay check to the divers but then all the gear.
There must be a lot of special gear. Weilding underwater and stuff like that.
Do you use warm water suits sometimes or is it just dry suits?
+grimlund Since I don't speak any Swedish, I think your English is pretty good! I've spent a good amount of time in Sweden since I used to work for Viking dry suits. Yes, diving is an expensive business. The equipment represents a very large capital investment for the company, but Global Diving & Salvage is a big company. Yes, many of the diving companies use hot water suits. When I worked in the North Sea, that is how my diving was done most of the time, except for a few dives in dry suits and wet suits.
+Steve B I now back in the early days of off shore diving in the North Sea before the warm water suits came some divers actually froze to death on their job. Really horrible.
+grimlund I worked in the North Sea from 1976-1980. Don't know of anyone who "froze to death" although there may have been divers who died of hypothermia before that time, although I doubt it.
Great video. I post commercial diving too
What do you guys think about International Divers Academy in Charleston SC
I have no familiarity with that school. The only thing I can tell you is that they are not a member of the Association of Commercial Diving Educators. They list their staff as former diving company CEO's (which ones?), EOD (doesn't qualify you to teach commercial oilfield diving), a doctor (doesn't qualify you to teach commercial diving) and a dive store owner (doesn't qualify you to teach commercial diving).
so between there and CDA you would go with CDA
I would recommend that you visit both schools, see the facilities, and talk to the students AND the instructors. Things can look great in pictures but may not reflect how they actually are. CDA is an ACDE school, which is a good sign, but until you go, you won't know how things really are. Remember, these schools are in business to make money.
Thank you both for your advice, I'm looking into all that now. if you think of anything else that could help me please feel free to email me at Ryanyon21@gmail.com
MrAquaImage
Hey there I'm looking to go into the navy as a mine clearance diver. Do you know of any ex military personnel in the business and what does a working year look like. Thanks
I don't personally know any mine clearance divers. I have filmed the FBI bomb disposal team for a video that's not on here, and also the Belgium Navy EOD team. See the link at the end of this. My advice would be to talk to a Navy recruiter and see if they can put you in touch with someone to talk to. Here's the link to the Dive Teams in action video I filmed for Viking, which includes the Belgium EOD. ruclips.net/video/vMLruHAtFyY/видео.html
Thanks mate ill check out the vids. Just wanted to see what sort of job options were available after service.
Well said. Hits the nail on the head. It's a shitty job but at the end of the day, I wouldn't do anything other than diving. Here in San Diego its low pay, long hours and non union: but it's a start. It takes a real man to freeze your ass off for six plus hours a day lifting heavy stuff till your body can't do it anymore. Get up at 0400 and do it all again the next day. It's fucking miserable but the sense of accomplishment is worth it. Oh yea, good luck in zero visibility...
Suggestions best school name with country name for diving course
There is no one best school. Too many variables including duration of school, your skill set upon entry (can you weld, are you an electrician, can you fit pipe, are you a diesel mechanic, etc.), your level of fitness, etc.
MrAquaImage what do you think of IDI I’ve been thinking about attending
@@jordan3119 Sorry, but I don't know anything about that school. As I have recommended to other people here (you need to read through the comments here, all of them) you need to visit any school that you are thinking of attending. It's foolish to sign up for a school without visiting a couple first to see what the facilities really look like, talk to some of the students, etc.
I should have known this career 20 years ago.
It happens. There are things I am doing today that I wish I had started doing when I was a kid, too.
Does anyone have any information about divers academy international in nj?
+Joe Whalen My recommendation is always to visit any diving school you might be considering attending. Talk to the students who are currently enrolled. Also, see if they can put you in touch with any graduates. There are big differences between some of the schools. They are a member of the Association of Commercial Diving Educators, which is a point in their favor.
I don't know much about them but i applied there the other day hoping the VA will pay for it.
I went to Divers Academy. Class 0400. Perspective students be for warned Tammy will try and sell you on her "contracted gear" from venders! SHOP AROUND! DSI suits are much better. Equipment was old. I will say the BEST instructor Senior Chief Cortez! Calm as an ice cube and a consummate professional! My advise, research ALL the school's out there! Myself as well as my entire class would have chosen another school! 0400!
Hello, I'm very interested in pursuing a large scale commercial diving career. I suppose I currently am one already here in Santa Cruz, Ca, where I do hull cleanings and zinc replacements on boats in the harbor, which I've been doing for about 2 years now. However, I feel the need to do bigger jobs. My questions are: is there a cut off age limit? I'm turning 32 this year. My second question is: will my experience as a hull cleaner give me any viable resume experience (I think this is what salty dog does in SB)? I also have my BA in Environmental Studies, and lots of production/heavy equipment operation experience. Thanks!
Also, I found out about Salty Dog when I visited SB Marine Tech for a tour - it looked extremely exciting!
Commercial diving companies don't consider hull scrubbing or zinc replacements to be commercial diving, but your water time experience is valuable. There is no cut off age limit, but you will be competing with guys who are younger and you may have to work as a tender for guys who are a lot younger than you. Some people have a hard time with that. An academic degree doesn't hurt and could play a role in jobs that may involve any time of survey, although that work would usually go to a consulting firm. Just realize that you might not be an overnight success and will probably have to tend for anywhere from a year to three years before you break out as a diver.
Awesome, thanks for your feedback!
I actually have one more question - I had back surgery a couple years ago (a microdiscectomy - removal of a portion of a herniated disc). Would this disqualify me? I'm pretty much back to normal - mountain biking, snowboarding, and of course scuba diving.
I'm not a physician, but visit the ADCI website here:
www.adc-int.org/files/ADCI%20PHYSICAL%20&%20MEDICAL%20REQUIREMENTS%202_0(1).pdf
Unfortunately, your average doctor doesn't understand diving medical issues. The only way to really know for sure is to have a diving physician from this list examine you and see if you qualify.
www.uhms.org/education/credentialing/diving-medical-examiners.html
i was wondering about its study is it quite hard?
after complete study i can get job in any big company or they need long term experience
The training is not particularly difficult, but you need to get scuba certified prior to attending school to see if you can handle being underwater. You've got to be able to do some basic math for computing decompression schedules and for other types of projects. Anyone who is truly enthusiastic about this career can do it; it's not rocket science. As Eric explained in the video, after you complete school, you will only get hired as a tender (apprentice). It may take you from one to three years, on average, to get promoted to being a diver.
Thanks bro for your kind information.
what is the duration to become a certified commercial diver or under water welder
You're welcome
It depends where you go to school. Different parts of the world have different requirements. There are links on the page below with more information. cdiver.net/resources/commercial-diving-certifications/
Any problem in delta p
Delta P is one of the potential hazards on some commercial diving jobs.
Hey I'm really thinking about becoming a commercial diver however I'm kinda afraid that after the program I won't find any job..so how hard is it to find a job as a commercial diver?I'm thinking about going to holland college..thanks :]
First off, you're not going to get hired out of dive school as a diver. You'll be hired as a apprentice/tender. How long you serve as a tender will be directly influenced by the state of the industry (price of oil), your other trade skills, how hard you are willing to work, and how you get along with other people. You will probably have to work as a tender from anywhere from one to three years, on average, before you get promoted to being a diver. With the price of oil being low right now (April 2017) it's probably not the best time to get started but that all can change very quickly. I guess the real question is, how badly do you want this career? Most people who want careers in diving are willing to make sacrifices to get where they want to be.
I want it very much,I don't see myself working in office or anything like that.I now work as a rappelling constructor,so I have some technical skills and know how to work hard,getting along with other people is not a big deal,I was a commander in the IDF dealing with all sorts of people.how hard is it getting a job as an apprentice/tender? thanks!!
Sounds like you have the right sort of personality and a good background for the job. I have to confess, I am not sure about the overseas diving market at this time. I suggest you contact some of the commercial diving schools in Europe to see what the job market is like and how difficult it will be to get a job as an Israeli in the foreign markets. In parts of the world, it's pretty difficult for American schooled tender to get a job at this point due to the political issues of the present day and the way the requirements are structured. It didn't use to be that way in the past, but is definitely an issue today.
Ziv Masmas Gulf of Mexico, Specifically Louisiana has a SHIT load of Dive Company's! I was fresh out of School, Went to Cal Dive Intl. In Morgan City LA and was on a job the NEXT day! back in '96! Few weeks later I was on a Saturation/Drilling/Mobile Platform! That thing was Freakin ENORMOUS! Had a Freakin BLAST, Bruv! Good Luck Bro 😆 👌👌👌
Ziv Masmas Gotta know how to Swim BEFORE you start Dive School! And become Scuba Certified! 😎 👌🖒👌
100/h? I'm not so sure about that. But if thats really the case where can I send my resumer
+simgoalie I am not sure what you are talking about. If you are referring to training to be a commercial diver, there are no schools that can give you adequate training in 100 hours. If you are referring to the 100 hour training course for scientific divers, that course only trains you to dive. It does not train you to be a scientist, which typically requires a minimum 4 year degree.
+MrAquaImage -- He's referring to the union pay rate mentioned by Eric Woltjen in the video: $100 / hour. Watch at 3:38.
MrAquaImage it think he was talking about the pay $100 and hour
hello there I'm 27 and I'm thinking to start my career as a commercial Diver, any Diving School you can recommend? thanks a lot
Are you in the U.S. or another country?
Not at the moment but I'm thinking about going in the next couple of months
If you're not living in the U.S. and not a U.S. citizen, then I would recommend going to one of the diving schools in Europe or Asia that offers IMCA (International Marine Contractor's Association) certification. This will allow you to work just about anywhere. If you live in the U.S. here is a list of schools I would recommend. www.acde.us/schools.htm
What about women in within this career? Is it common? Have you ever met any female commercial divers? I’m very interested... but I would want to be respected for my work, I’m afraid of not being taken seriously (I have a baby face :/) The sea is my passion, and I’ve been searching long and hard for a work path that is aligned with my love!do you think 23 is too late to start?
There are women commercial divers, but certainly less than there are men. I don't know any personally, but I know of them. You can't be overly sensitive because there is a lot of needling that goes on, particularly when you are a tender. You also can't be overly modest, because you may be in situations where you have to remove wet gear/bathing suits when others are around. 23 is certainly not too late to start. You say the "sea is your passion." You do understand that this is industrial diving? You may be asked to dive in raw sewage, in zero visibility, or other unpleasant conditions.
I'd love to do this, but maybe a bit old at 45?
Not impossible, but pretty unlikely. First, you would have to pass a commercial diving physical. Then you would have to attend commercial diving school. You would have to find a diving company who would be willing to hire you. If you were able to get hired as a tender you would have to follow directions from much younger guys for at least a year.
If you want to do it do it. If your not in shape get in shape.Get a physical to found out what state your in and start training. (Weight training, calinstetics, stretching, cardio.)Clean up your diet and get fit. Age is in your mind. If your in shape you can do almost anything. There are always a million reasons not to pursue something but you only need one reason to do it. Good luck and don't listen to people who tell you you can't do it.
@@kennethg5460 in shape? Been an auto mechanic for almost 30yrs. 146lbs lean muscle fit enough? Already Certified thru rescue diver not that that's even related only said to point out I love being submerged. It's the challenge of the job that intrest me.
Hi Warren did you pursue your dreams buddy? If so how did it go?
No, just a bit young at 10, or 100.
Would you recommend someone to pursue this line of work if they have no experience diving?
No, I would not. If you think you're interested, at the very least take a sport scuba diving course and see if you can handle being underwater.
MrAquaImage thank you for information not trying to doubt you but I've seen lots of people say people that have never recreational dive are more liked to begin idk why they would say that to be honest
MrAquaImage also what's homelife like for deep sea divers? Do most of them have families , wives kids and all? Or are most single for most of their lives?
There's an old joke that "divers" comes right before "divorce" in the telephone directory. Like any profession, some divers have successful marriages and some do not. You have to have a strong relationship to deal with all of the time away from home.
You asked my opinion. I worked in the industry myself for 7 years, and in the supply side for another 20. It's your life. Do as you please.
ya
Is there still a demand for Commercial divers?
Yes, there is. But it varies with the state of the oil industry.
@@MrAquaImage Great video content by the way and very informational! Not many videos out there on commercial diving and underwater vids of the work actually being done, which is dissapointing since I am very intregued with watching them. Thank you for responding, I appreciate it very much! Being considering commercial diving for a time now since I at a stage really wanted to get onto the oilrigs, and the cost to be commercial diver is quiet expensive so I was just checking since we in 2018, and most videos area a couple of years old and I was wondering if there was still a realitively good demand for them since its a lot of money to spend on your studies and then end up never finding work in that industry. Because I'm 21 and going to florida, boca raton in a weeks time *waiting for the hurricane to pass and work to gain abit of international experience and I see there is a diving university not to far from palm beach up north and wanted to do abit more research and make my descision but its pointless if the demand for Com diving is over. But I have read most the comments here and got alot of information and answers from your relies so it has being helpful alot so Thank you for all the effort you put into this video and with active replying. It has given me more knowledge on Com diving.
You're welcome. Just keep in mind that the business is cyclical as I indicated previously. When the price of oil is up, the demand for divers goes up. When the price of oil goes down, the demand is not as strong (but it never goes away). When there's a strong hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico and lots of platforms are damaged, there is a lot of demand for divers. Good luck with your career.
Hello any one help me out
I m ex indian navy
34 can i start my new profile in commercial diver .....and suggest any school
It's possible for you to become a commercial diver, but at 34 you may find it difficult working as a tender for younger commercial divers. Suggest you contact IMCA to see what schools are available and accredited in your part of the world. www.imca-int.com
Amrinder Singh College of Oceaneering in Wilmington, CA. USA Good Luck Bro 👌
I'm a diver I want to become a commercial diver
He sit then he SAT
ok that you buddy
Is 27 to late to start a career in diving?
That question has already been answered here, Read through the comments below.
How much salary in commercial diving field?
Depends on where you work, how skilled you are, what trade skills you bring to the job, and the state of the oil industry. You don't start as a diver, you start as a tender and wages are not high until you become a diver. Read the comments below.
I'm 31 is it to late to be a commercial diver?
@@MrAquaImage @dhamonsta sir, I am from India and I want to ask you some questions
1). Is commercial diving a good career
2).how much an average person earn from it
3). Getting Jobs in this is easy or difficult
4).And tell me many more things about this , I am 23 now
@@mohitsharma3790 Almost everything you have asked has already been asked and answered here. Read through the comments and responses already given. The only question I can't answer is how much money you will make. That is entirely dependent on how talented a diver you are and where you work. I have no idea what divers make in India.
Any side effects on this job
Yes, potential hearing loss, asceptic bone necrosis, divorce, etc.
@@MrAquaImage sir about under water welding is good option or bad
Not a great business to get into now, lots of divers out of work due to the oil industry. If your dead set on diving in the United States go to Youngs Memorial collage in Morgan City Louisiana. Research it, cheapest way into the business. Plan to tend for 3-5 years before becoming a diver offshore.
I don’t see to many black ppl doing that job but I really want to try that. I think I would be the first black male to do that job lol. Please give some information on how I should start. I live in Dallas Texas and want to move to Houston to try ocean corporation program.
I've never seen any statistics on black divers, but I worked with a black diver who was well liked when I worked in the Gulf of Mexico many years ago. Start by learning to scuba dive and see if you like being underwater. Not everyone does. If you like that, it's always good to develop a mechanical or technical skill such as welding, plumbing, mechanical drawing, engine mechanics, computers, photography, etc. If you are comfortable underwater and have a skill, then a commercial diving school would be your next stop.
MrAquaImage thank you very much for the quick response I will most certainly make that my next stop I already have my scuba license I’ve been to Cancun and Cozumel for some beautiful diving. I love being underwater it’s like I’ve taken my first breath of life every time I go down there but with it not being many ppl it discourages me a little but check out my scuba video in Cozumel.. are you still a commercial diver???
It's great that you enjoy sport diving. However, realize that most commercial diving is NOT done in warm, clear water. I have been diving in industrial harbors, on sewage outfalls, and in zero visibility conditions, more times than I care to recall. I did a lot of dives in the North Sea, where it was cold enough that if you lost the hot water supply to your suit, you could die of hypothermia in a short time. No, I no longer commercial dive.
MrAquaImage yeah I love it man it’s really nothing else in the world I enjoy doing more than diving . It’s just expensive. I know it can be a nasty and brutal job but I’m a person than can put up with it until I get the job done. Why did you give it up if u don’t mind me asking?
I stopped diving because my career goal was to work with manufacturers who designed and marketed diving gear. I was given the opportunity to work for Diving Systems International, now Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, the largest manufacturer of commercial diving helmets in the world. I took it. I also worked for Viking Dry Suits and ultimately became a consultant in sport and commercial diving. But that's another long story....
❤️❤️❤️
“And make sure you go home every night” ah I see your not talking to sat divers here. Don’t even surface every night
How is the job nowadays..??
anyone see that creepy face at 1:58 near the tire??? what
Hii
Is it true this profession eventually destroys your body over time?
I would not say it "destroys your body," although you may suffer long term effects from decompression sickness. It's also possible to suffer some hearing loss from working around machinery and even due to the bubble noise you are exposed to in diving helmets. It has its risks, just like any construction job, playing football professionally, being a peace officer, etc.
okay just wondering, someone once told me being exposed to the electrical currents underwater causes nerve damage.
That's simply not true, at all. Whoever told you that did not know what they were talking about.
One Breath Nation Oh Hell No! I am an Under Water Welder! I does feel kinda funny in Your teeth filings though! Especially when you're wearing the KB-8 and "Accidentally" Hit yourself in the head with a Live BROCO Torch! LMBFWHWPSAO! 😲 😂😂😂 👌
👍
BEST! JOB! EVER! 😆😆😆
Lekker jongen!
Too cold.
You deserve every bit of 100 bucks an hour. Coffee slurpers bug the shit out of me.
Overfished
*Spend all ya $$$ on training to be left jobless*
full of himself
R.W. S. Have to Be. Or people will Die! 🤔🤔🤔
R.W. S. Jealous?
Who?
he may be a good diver, but public speaker he is not :D
J Roberts He has real world experience and he was willing to share it. Not everyone cn do that.
I thought it was pretty good actually.
Why do people have to shit on people for no reason at all? Do you think your comment was funny? It wasn't offensive, nor funny. It was nothing, at all. And what this RUclipsr did was helpful - that's what you should spend your time doing mate. Help someone. Or just stop sharing your brilliant insight :D
Why wasn't he a good public speaker? I never noticed anything too bad and is is ridiculous to expect a professional diver to be great at giving speeches. He is a lot better at public speaking than you are at writing sentences.
You a diver, by any chance? No, thought not. Fuck off.