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What attracted you to the offshore diving industry?
- Diving and underwater construction work
- An opportunity for world travel
- A challenging and exciting career
- A rewarding salary
What work experience have you gained since joining the industry?
Underwater construction and maintenance, inspection, underwater welding, salvage, supervision of diving operations. I was a diver medic for over twenty years.
What role did you have when you first started?
Although I had qualified as a diver by the time I left the Royal Navy when I was 24, I had limited oil industry knowledge. I gained aptitude on the job with help from more experienced divers, and underwent training for saturation and air diving operations. The training on the worksite nowadays is more formalised and safety is a priority.
What is your role now?
I am now qualified as an IMCA Bell Diving Supervisor and Air Diving Supervisor. I pass on information and knowledge gained from my own work experience to trainee divers. Diver training is now overseen through the company diver competency programme where they are mentored and their progress is monitored. The safety of divers is paramount.
What do you like most about working offshore?
As a diving supervisor two jobs are never alike - there is endless scope for variety in my work. As a diver I found the job stimulating and exhilarating, and comradeship amongst divers was second to none!
Why would you recommend the diving industry to others?
The diving industry enables you to have an adventurous, exciting job with a chance to travel the world.
What opportunities have you had to travel?
I have travelled and worked all over the world, from Brazil to Russia. I have dived professionally in many different marine habitats and met many interesting people.
What have been the highlights of your career so far?
One of the most interesting projects I have been involved with as a diver was the salvage of the Russian submarine Kursk. This was cutting edge engineering in a physically very demanding environment. I was able to make some new friends among the Russian divers who joined us for the project.
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