Career Guide: Offshore Diver

The most prevalent kind of commercial divers are offshore divers. They are employed by offshore-based oil and gas companies. They are tasked with aiding in exploration, maintaining oil rigs, and constructing submerged infrastructure for the extraction of oil and gas.

‍

General tasks for Divers include:

- Explore, survey, build or maintain offshore oil and gas drilling rigs and pipelines

- Carry out underwater repairs

- Help to build and maintain offshore platforms

- Help to build and maintain offshore wind farms.

‍

The role itself:

Offshore diving jobs can be a difficult job within the oil and gas industry, but the the role can also be an extremely rewarding career path with plenty of opportunities for progression. Divers can work long hours, so it is important that you are well prepared and confident in completing the work. The work can be both physically and psychologically draining, so the role is typically best suited for individuals with a good health, who are able to stay calm and positive when situations become stressful.

‍

Medical Requirements:

As a Diver, you will be required to have high levels of both physical and psychological fitness. When becoming a diver, you will need to complete a medical questionnaire, as well as passing a medical examination undertaken by an Approved Medical Examiner of Divers. Your results will then be checked to make sure that there isn’t anything in your medical history that could prevent you from having a career in diving.

The following medical conditions could prevent you from diving:

- Issues with your mental health, such as depression or panic attacks

- Lung or heart disease

- Ear, nose throat or sinus problems

- Diabetes

- Severe migraines

- Disease of the brain or nervous system, including epilepsy, stroke and multiple sclerosis

‍

Requirements:

- Strong swimming ability

- Excellent vision

- High physical fitness

- Thorough attention to detail

- Ability to work well under pressure and remain calm in stressful situations

- Flexibility

- Ability to work well both individually and as part of a team

- Determination

- Excellent verbal communication ability

- Cooperative nature

- High levels of concentration

‍

In addition to the physical and emotional requirements for offshore diving, you must also meet governmental and international certification standards prior to becoming a diver. Depending upon where you are located, there are different certifications that you need to attain. These can include:

- Entry Level Tender Diver certification

- The International Marine Contractor Association certification(for international offshore diving jobs)

‍

To see the full list, click here

‍

Training:

Diving training combines practical work and theory.

HSE approved training centres are found throughout the UK. For a full list, click here ‍

Training courses usually cover air diving, mixed gas/saturation diving and professional scuba diving. They include offshore diving and inshore diving. Courses usually last between about 4 to 13 weeks.

‍

Salary:

Salaries for Offshore Divers can vary considerably, depending on:

- Where you work

- The size of the company or organisation you work for

- The demand for the job.

- The type of work that you do.

‍

If you're a diver looking for your next opportunity, head over to our jobs page where you can find a range of our latest positions.

Can’t find what you're looking for? Call a dedicated member of the team today on 01489 668350

‍