Premium Industry Career Package Our Premium Industry Career Package is the ultimate commercial air diving course. The course lasts 13 weeks and will equip you with the skills and qualifications you ll need to succeed as a commercial diver. All of our courses focus on two main objectives: Making you a competent and capable diver who is able to pass the HSE examinations and practical assessments that will allow you to be certified as a commercial diver. Providing you with the skills and experience to allow you to successfully complete a range of subsea engineering projects. We've put together an extensive programme of tasks using the tools of the diver s trade; all designed to replicate the kind of jobs you'll be doing in your new career. By the end of your course, you ll have completed more than 56 dives, and you ll receive the following certificates and qualifications: First Aid at Work with Oxygen Provider s Supplement HSE Surface Supplied HSE Surface Supplied (Top Up) HSE SCUBA Subsea Construction By completing our Premium Industry Career Package you will be qualified for various types of commercial diving work, inshore and offshore. If you re interested in working for multinational oil and gas companies, on decommissioning projects, or within the renewables sector for example, you will not only have the HSE certifications to allow you to dive, you will also have the essential skills training and experience to complete the work required of you. On our Premium Industry Package it may also be possible to arrange additional dives which will allow you to apply for the Dutch diving certification. Summary of course contents Some of the subjects you will cover during this 13 week course are: Surface supplied and SCUBA diving: systems, procedures and equipment Wet bell diving and its advantages, including use of hot water systems Experience of Nitrox dives in our onshore tank Subsea tools use and techniques, lifting bags and ropework Use of mechanical lifting and rigging tools, such as chain hoists, ratchet cable pullers, lever hoists and tirfors Rigging, seamanship and navigation Underwater Inspection (CSWIP 3.1U Prep Course) Subsea Tools Assessment Record Kirby Morgan Helmet & Band Mask Operators Certification Rescue and emergency procedures, including search and recovery Diving physics and the anatomy and physiology of diving ECITB-approved MJI 21 Hydraulically Tensioned Subsea Bolted Connections Underwater wet welding and oxy/arc cutting, plus surface oxy/acetylene gas cutting MJI 21 Hydraulically Tensioned Subsea Bolted Connections Commercial Enriched Air Nitrox IMCA ALST or DMT* *Only available for a limited time; see separate information sheets for details Underwater inspection tools and techniques including ultrasonic thickness, corrosion protection, photography and video, visual inspection and report writing When you attend this course you will also receive course extras, including a Northern Diver dry suit, undersuit, hood and bag, Underwater Centre overalls, IMCA divers logbook and Professional Divers Handbook. More information on these course extras and each part of the Premium Industry Career Package can be read on the separate information sheets. You will also receive 5% discount off any future training at The Underwater Centre.
Construction Career Package Our Construction Career Package has been developed based on feedback we ve received from the diving industry which highlighted the range of skills that employers are looking for in newly qualified divers. We have developed this course to ensure that we provide you with the best training and experience to equip you to succeed in your new career as a commercial diver. Running for 11 weeks, our Construction Career Package will provide you with all of the HSE air diving qualifications required for you to work as a commercial diver. In addition to these, you will receive training in underwater welding and cutting techniques, rigging and slinging techniques, training on Kirby Morgan helmet operation, and underwater tools and skills training. All of our courses focus on two main objectives: Making you a competent and capable diver who is able to pass the HSE examinations and practical assessments that will allow you to be certified as a commercial diver. Providing you with the skills and experience to allow you to successfully complete a range of subsea engineering projects. We've put together an extensive programme of tasks using the tools of the diver s trade; all designed to replicate the kind of jobs you'll be doing in your new career. By the end of your course, you'll have completed more than 52 dives and you'll receive the following certificates and qualifications: First Aid at Work with Oxygen Provider s Supplement HSE Surface Supplied HSE SCUBA HSE Surface Supplied (Top Up) Subsea Construction Subsea Tools Assessment Record Summary of course contents Kirby Morgan Helmet & Band Mask Operators Certification MJI 21 Hydraulically Tensioned Subsea Bolted Connections Commercial Enriched Air Nitrox IMCA ALST or DMT* *Only available for a limited time; see separate information sheets for details Some of the subjects you will cover during this 11 week course include: Surface supplied and SCUBA diving: systems, procedures and equipment Wet bell diving and its advantages, including use of hot water systems Experience of Nitrox dives in our onshore tank Use of mechanical lifting and rigging tools, such as chain hoists, ratchet cable pullers, lever hoists and tirfors Subsea tools use and techniques, such as the use of lifting bags and ropework ECITB-approved MJI 21 Hydraulically Tensioned Subsea Bolted Connections Rigging, seamanship and navigation Rescue and emergency procedures, including search and recovery Diving physics and the anatomy and physiology of diving Underwater wet welding and oxy/arc cutting, plus surface oxy/acetylene gas cutting Practical, end of course project bringing together the construction techniques learnt When you attend this course you will also receive course extras, including a Northern Diver dry suit, undersuit, hood and bag, Underwater Centre overalls, IMCA divers logbook and Professional Divers Handbook. More information regarding course extras and each part of the Construction Career Package can be read on the separate information sheets.
Standard Career Package Our Standard Career Package covers all the basics you ll need to start your career as a commercial diver. The course lasts 9 weeks and includes the essential HSE qualifications in SCUBA, surface supplied and wet bell (surface supplied top up) diving. As well as these key certificates, you ll learn the subsea tools skills you ll need to begin your new career. All of our courses focus on two main objectives: Making you a competent and capable diver who is able to pass the HSE examinations and practical assessments that will allow you to be certified as a commercial diver. Providing you with the skills and experience to allow you to successfully complete a range of subsea engineering projects. We've put together an extensive programme of tasks using the tools of the diver s trade; all designed to replicate the kind of jobs you'll be doing in your new career. By the end of your course, you'll have completed more than 48 dives; and will receive the following certifications and qualifications: First Aid at Work with Oxygen Provider s Supplement HSE Surface Supplied HSE Surface Supplied (Top Up) HSE SCUBA Subsea Tools Assessment Record Commercial Enriched Air Nitrox Kirby Morgan Helmet & Band Mask Operators Certification Summary of course contents Some of the subjects you will cover during this 9 week course are: Surface supplied and SCUBA diving: systems, procedures and equipment Wet bell diving and its advantages, including use of hot water systems Experience of Nitrox dives in our onshore tank Subsea tools use and techniques, lifting bags and ropework Visual inspection, report writing and video Rescue and emergency procedures, including search and recovery Diving physics and the anatomy and physiology of diving When you attend this course you will also receive course extras, including Underwater Centre overalls and IMCA divers logbook. More information regarding each of the above parts of the Standard Career Package, including the tools and techniques that are taught throughout, can be read on the separate information sheets.
Course Outline This timetable provides an overview of the topics covered in each of the commercial diving courses, and training packages available at The Underwater Centre, Fort William. Whether you choose to become offshore-ready with our 13-week Premium Industry Package, or are looking for the HSE diving tickets on our 9-week Standard Package, completing your commercial diver training in Fort William will provide the best start to your new career. Week 1: An introduction to The Underwater Centre, Introduction to the diving industry, Legislation, Human anatomy, First Aid at Work - primary and secondary care, First Aid at Work - specific illnesses and injuries, First Aid exam, Diving related illnesses and diving physics, 2 surface supplied dives in our onshore tank. Week 2 - HSE Surface Supplied: Decompression chambers, Kirby Morgan helmet training, US Navy air decompression, 7 dives, 0-10 metres range, including: Deep air chamber dive, Emergency procedures and seabed orientation, Use of hacksaw, hammer and chisel, In-water and surface standby rescues. Week 3 - HSE Surface Supplied: 5 dives, 0-20 metres range, including: Controlled ascents, Pneumatic disc cutter exercises, Use of an airlift, Use of a CP9, In-water tending, Lifting bags, 1 night dive, including: Measurement survey of armoured car. Week 4 - HSE Surface Supplied: Dive baskets, Surface decompression, 5 dives 0-30 metres range, including: Orientation of dive site, Surface rescues to basket, Hydraulic impact wrench and flange task, Surface decompression. Course outline continued
Course Outline continued Week 5 - HSE Surface Supplied: Week 6 - HSE SCUBA: Week 7 - HSE SCUBA: Week 8 - HSE SCUBA: 5 dives 40-50 metres range, including: Use of a hydraulic drill, Subsea assembly task, In-water decompression. Diving basics including knots, Skills and environment, Chambers and air purity, 7 dives 0-15 metres range including: Buoyancy exercises, Rigging, Lifeline searches, RIB diving and SMB decompression, Underwater navigation. Commercial enriched air nitrox, 7 dives 0-15 metres range, including: In-water and surface standby rescues, Seabed surveys, 3 dimensional object surveys, Through-water communications, Night diving. Hazardous diving, Diving at work, 4 dives 20-30 metres range, including: Mooring survey, Shackle mousing task, Splicing task, Hacksaw task. Week 9 - HSE Surface Supplied (Top Up): Wet bells, Hot water suits, Dynamically positioned vessels, 7 dives 0-21 metres range, including: Wet bell emergency procedures, Wet bell rescues, Diving with hot water suits, Extended umbilical Golden Gate training. Course outline continued
Course Outline continued Weeks 10 & 11 - Subsea Construction; Welding, Cutting and Rigging Welding theory, Introduction to safe rigging and lifting, 4 days of surface MMA welding plus theory exam, Wet welding, Oxy / Arc underwater cutting and topside gas cutting, Welding assessment against AWS 3.6D Standard (non-coded), Diving Project work if successful with welding assessment. Weeks 12 & 13 - CSWIP 3.1U Underwater Inspection Preparatory Course Theory and surface practical as per CSWIP Div. 7 document requirements, The CSWIP Div. 7 document is available from the CSWIP website and gives full details of the course syllabus, The Centre s course is independently audited against the contents of that document. Underwater practical, and assessment, Final day, end of course theory exam. For more information about training to become an HSE-certified commercial diver, providing you with the qualifications to work around the world, or what a career as a commercial diver will be like, contact our student advisors; fortwilliam@theunderwatercentre.com or +44 1397 703786.
Your Commercial Diving Equipment Whether you choose our Premium Industry Package or our Construction Career Package, you will receive the following personal equipment to use during your course, and to take away with you on completion of your course to help start your new career: Northern Diver Origin 800 dry suit including hose, manual and maintenance kit; Three piece arctic Northern Diver woolly bear undersuit and Neoprene hood; Dive suit carry bag; Personal hat liner; Underwater Centre overalls; IMCA divers logbook; Professional Divers Handbook by John Bevan; Underwater Centre commercial diving t-shirt; All course manuals. For students who choose our Premium Industry Package, you will also receive 5% discount off any future training at The Underwater Centre. If you choose our Standard Career Package, you will receive the following personal equipment; Underwater Centre overalls; IMCA divers logbook; Underwater Centre commercial diving t-shirt; All course manuals. All students attending any of our Career Packages will also receive: International diving contractors database; Careers support and CV guidance.
First Aid at Work This course is the vital starting point of your training as a commercial diver no matter what level of diving you have come to Fort William to achieve. In this classroom based course you will learn about managing accidents in the work place including the administration of oxygen. As a commercial diver, it is essential that you have a good understanding of anatomy and physiology, including functions of the respiratory and circulatory systems, and first aid; all of which are covered in this course. The First Aid at Work certificate is valid for a maximum of three years, at which point a refresher course must be completed before your current certificate expires. Summary of course contents During this course you will cover: Anatomy and physiology Primary surveys and resuscitation Secondary survey of a casualty Monitoring of vital signs Administration of oxygen Control of bleeding Management of wounds Fractures, sprains and muscle trauma Spinal immobilisation Casualty handling Management of burns Hypo and hyperthermia Poisons Care of the unconscious casualty Reporting of accidents Manual handling
HSE Surface Supplied The HSE Surface Supplied Course qualifies you for inshore diving, such as civil engineering, docklands and inland waterways diving. The majority of commercial diving is undertaken using surface supplied equipment. Surface supplied training takes place from our private pier and our moon pool barges, Air Diver II and Red Baron, into Loch Linnhe, the sheltered sea loch on which the Centre is based. The experience gained by learning to dive from our private pier and barge, will stand you in good stead in your new career and will provide industry-like exposure so you know what to expect once working. The course includes 24 dives to a maximum depth of 50m (165ft) and you will experience a deep dive in one of our three surface decompression chambers. During this course, you will experience a number of dives at different depths, right down to 50m, including surface decompression diving. You will gain experience learning to dive in different models of diving helmet, such as the Kirby Morgan 17, 27, 37, 18 or 28, all of which are used as standard in industry. In addition to the industry specific subsea tools and techniques we will train you in (see separate information sheet for full details), you will also learn to use different deployment methods including shot lines and diving baskets, plus you will learn surface decompression techniques, where you will decompress in the chamber on the surface breathing oxygen. One of the key focuses of HSE training is on diver safety. With this is in mind, you will be trained in how to handle emergency situations such as loss of air, loss of communications and how to rescue a stricken diver. Throughout the course, the depths you dive to will steadily increase which will help prepare you for the challenge of diving at depth on air. To attend this course you must have HSE SCUBA or recognised equivalent certification. In order to provide more extensive career opportunities, most students combine this course with our HSE Surface Supplied (Top Up) Course, which qualifies you for diving offshore as well see separate information sheet for full details. Summary of course contents During this five week* course you will cover: First Aid at Work Surface supplied diving Surface supplied systems Umbilical management Buoyancy control Dive control panels Diving equipment Rescue procedures Free flow helmets Jump entries, water entry including ladders and baskets Subsea tools use (see separate information sheet on Subsea Tools and Techniques for more information) *Course duration when taken as part of one of our commercial diver training packages is four weeks; First Aid at Work Course will already have been completed.
HSE SCUBA Our HSE SCUBA Course takes four weeks to complete and is the minimum requirement for diving at work, inshore. Although HSE SCUBA is now used less frequently for working underwater, it is still used for scientific, archaeological, police and shellfish diving. The classroom based elements of this course cover diving theory, physics and decompression. Once tackling the practical side of the training, you will complete 18 dives to a maximum depth of 30m (100ft). You will learn inspection, survey and lifting techniques as well as use of various hand tools, search methods, knot tying and object recovery. The main aim of the course is to teach you how to dive in self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (SCUBA) equipment safely, carry out rescue procedures and how to cope with your own emergency procedures. The practical parts of the course will take place both in our indoor dive tank and into the tidal sea loch, on which the Centre is based. Our indoor dive complex is a 1.5million litre, seawater tank which is approximately 25m x 15m and around 4m deep. The tank benefits from large acrylic viewing panels on three sides, so you will be able to watch other divers in training and learn from them as well. Loch Linnhe provides the location for the deeper dives you will complete on this course. You will dive directly from our private pier, which stretches some 500m out into the loch, as well as from one of our Fast Rescue Craft (FRC) and from our moon pool diving barge, Air Diver II. By diving from these various types of craft and locations, you will have stronger experience in the use of SCUBA equipment, which will better equip you for your new career as a SCUBA diver. You will learn to dive with a variety of masks, including traditional half masks and demand valve methods. However, most dives are completed using full-face masks, such as the EX026 and AGA masks, with voice communications, including hard wire and through-water communications, at all times. Summary of course contents During this four week* course you will cover: First Aid at Work Procedures used in SCUBA Seamanship and rigging Underwater navigation SCUBA equipment Emergency procedures in SCUBA Search methods General ropework Use of lifting bags Visual inspection and report writing, including stills photography and video Subsea tools use (see separate information sheet on Subsea Tools and Techniques for more information) *Course duration when taken as part of one of our commercial diver training packages is three weeks; First Aid at Work Course will already have been completed.
HSE Surface Supplied (Top Up) To further enhance your career prospects and earning potential, our HSE Surface Supplied (Top Up) Course will provide you with the appropriate qualification required to work offshore. The offshore industry continues to be a major employer of commercial divers, and by achieving this certification you will be able to work all over the world. The one week Top Up Course provides you with vital safety training and knowledge required to work offshore and dive from a wet bell. The focus of this course is to teach you safety procedures such as bell rescues, loss of gas, loss of communications and loss of power to the bell. You will undertake both surface and in-water rescues of a wet bell diver. Although used primarily as a means of transport to the dive site, the wet bell is also the place you will return to if in trouble or if you are required to return to the vessel at any time. The qualification will allow you to dive to depths of 50m when offshore; outwith the UK you may dive to 75m on surface gas using a wet bell. During our Top Up Course you will complete at least 7 dives from our barge Red Baron into Loch Linnhe, to depths of 21m. Red Baron is a moon pool barge and is fitted for surface supplied air diving and with a twin lock deck decompression chamber. All the dives you undertake on this course will be completed in hot water suits, further preparing you for offshore work, as you will use these when in industry. The hot water machine pumps heated seawater down your umbilical to your suit to keep you warm essential when working in waters at reduced temperatures, such as in the North Sea. To attend this course you must have an HSE Surface Supplied or equivalent qualification. Most students choose to stay on at the Centre to complete the Top Up Course after having successfully completed the HSE Surface Supplied course. You must also have First Aid at Work certification and an HSE diving medical. See separate information sheets on these courses for more details. Summary of course contents During this one week course you will cover: Wet bell diving and its advantages Temperature control Dressing the diver Emergency procedures The design of the wet bell system Dynamically positioned vessels Diving from dynamically positioned vessels Offshore diving procedures Dives using a Golden Gate
Subsea Tools and Techniques As a newly qualified diver, when you go out on your initial jobs, it is essential that when given your first task that you know how to do it. We know that knowledge and experience of subsea tools and techniques is absolutely vital in getting ahead in your new career, therefore this training is included in your basic training for the HSE commercial diving certifications. During the dives that you complete as part of your HSE training you will be given a variety of tasks to complete using subsea tools that are widely used in the subsea industry. When you complete your HSE training with us, you are here not just to learn how to dive, but to learn how to work underwater. Instead of just blowing bubbles on your training dives, from the very first week of diving you will be given structured tasks to complete, ensuring that when you complete your training you have the confidence and experience required to get ahead as a commercial diver. During your HSE Surface Supplied and SCUBA training you will receive training and assessments on the following subsea tasks: Assemble a small blank flange using spanners Use a hammer and chisel to cut wire rope Use an airlift to airlift mud beside concrete pipeline Carry out measurements of subsea structures Use a hydraulic impact wrench to bolt up a blank flange Use a hydraulic drill to drill a hole in steel below 30m Assemble a square of scaffolding below 40m Use a pneumatic cutting disc to cut through steel Use a CP9 hammer drill to drill holes in a concrete block and conduct a video inspection Carry out a seabed survey and put the results on a scratchboard and report Use a hacksaw to cut a 15mm diameter bar and scaffolding pole at 30m Use a lifting bag to move an anchor between points on the seabed Upon completion of your training you will receive a Student Tools Assessment Record, detailing all of the tools training completed and assessments passed. Kirby Morgan Helmet and Band Mask Operators Course Carry out a dimensional survey of a base plate Carry out a grid search with a blacked out mask Use knots to lift objects off the bottom Carry out a seabed survey Conduct a shackle mousing task at 30m Carry out a splicing task at 30 metres During your surface supplied course, you will learn to dive in different models of Kirby Morgan helmets and this course will further add to that experience by training you in Kirby Morgan standards of helmet and band mask operation. Kirby Morgan is the helmet used by the subsea industry worldwide. As part of your job as a commercial diver, you will be expected to be able to operate and use the Kirby Morgan assigned to you, including performing inspections, set-up and operating procedures. This course will provide you with the knowledge and experience to do that. You will be trained to Kirby Morgan standards and will learn to identify equipment faults and user maintenance of the helmet. You will also be trained in how to mobilise and de-mobilise the helmet at the beginning and end of any dive. On completion of the course you will receive a two year certification from Kirby Morgan (USA). Your employer can therefore be confident in your handling and use of such vital equipment.
Subsea Construction We work closely with the subsea industry to ensure that the courses we offer provide you with the skills that the industry is looking for. As a result, we have developed our intensive two week Subsea Construction Course. This course provides you with a range of underwater, hands-on work experience building on the tools training received during your HSE diver training. Rigging and Slinging This part of the Subsea Construction Course will introduce you to the important rigging and slinging techniques currently used in industry. The course will build on the tools and skills training you receive during your HSE diver training including subjects such as how to use basic mechanical lifting and rigging tools. Training will be provided in the use of items such as chain hoists, shackles, strops, lever hoists, ratchet cable pullers, pulley blocks and the use of Tirfors. This section of the course focuses on ensuring that you are able to carry out lifting operations safely. Welding and Cutting During this part of the course, you will gain experience of using underwater oxy/arc cutting equipment and learn to use a surface cutting torch. Our Welding and Cutting Course provides you with an introduction to surface and underwater welding. As well as topside practical training and classroom sessions, you will learn how to weld underwater, attaching anodes to underwater vessels and structures, and cutting through metal plates and bars using oxy/arc cutting equipment. Diving Project As part of your training you will complete around 7 dives and, should you achieve the required standard, will culminate in your taking on a diving project during which you'll use all of the skills and training you've received to complete an underwater steelwork repair from start to finish. Having experience of 'real world' scenarios where you've used the skills you've learned will give you the confidence in your own abilities in the water and may be the thing that tips the balance in your favour when it comes to finding work. On completion of the Subsea Construction Course you will receive internal certification and verification to take to your employer, as evidence of the training and experience gained. Summary of course contents During this two week course you will cover: Manual Metal Arc (MMA) welding plant and equipment Introduction to MMA processes Oxy/ fuel gas cutting Underwater wet welding Weldability and defect identification Rigging operations and procedures Identification and use of rigging equipment Correct use of slings and lifting equipment Welding terminology and electrode identification Quality assurance and quality control The Subsea Construction Course is included in our Premium Industry or Construction Career commercial air diver training packages - see separate information sheets for details. For more details, speak to our Student Advisors; fortwilliam@theunderwatercentre.com or +44 1397 703786.
CSWIP 3.1U Underwater Inspection Preparatory Course The CSWIP 3.1U prep course is widely regarded by industry as one of the key aspects of training you can achieve, whether working in- or offshore. The skills and techniques taught on this course will provide you with vital experience in your career as a commercial diver. As a commercial diver, subsea inspection is almost certainly going to be an important and regular part of your job. The CSWIP certification is currently the only certification for underwater visual inspection in the world, so by training at one of the world s leading subsea centres, you can be sure the experience you gain here will stand you in good stead for your career as a commercial diver. Training you for the job, not just the ticket Inspections can vary from general underwater visual inspection, where there are specific protocols to follow and key things to look out for, to conducting a close inspection of metalwork using precision electronic measuring equipment. Industry experts accept that you need time to familiarise yourself with the use of inspection practices and equipment under the water, which is why our two week course allows you the time to get familiar with these tools and techniques in a real-life subsea environment. With more combined knowledge of subsea inspection than any other training facility in this field, our highly experienced instructional team don't just train you to pass an exam: they train you to do the job, and do it well. Purpose-built training facilities Our two week course involves both classroom-based and practical learning, giving you extensive exposure to the working environment and challenges you will experience when working. Our purpose-built, subsea, NDT structure allows you to hone your skills as an inspection diver. Each of your dives will be filmed via a helmet mounted camera, while also receiving instructions from the surface. You and your instructor can review your footage and assess the work you have carried out. The course covers underwater visual inspection using video and stills cameras, the use of cathodic potential meters, digital thickness meters and weld inspection gauges. The equipment and facilities provided at The Underwater Centre have been created specifically to replicate those that you will find when in industry, again ensuring that the experience you receive here is second to none. Having completed the preparatory course with us, you must then go on to sit the CSWIP 3.1U exam at TWI in Middlesbrough. Our student advisors will be able to give you more details about costs and how to book the exam. You must have an HSE Surface Supplied or equivalent certification to be able to sit the exam; most of our students stay on to attend the two week prep course once they have successfully completed our HSE Surface Supplied or HSE Surface Supplied (Top Up) Courses. Summary of course contents Underwater Visual Inspection Ultrasonic Thickness Measurement Corrosion Protection Inspection Subsea Video Inspection Subsea Photography Verbal and Written Reporting Concrete Inspection The CSWIP 3.1U Underwater Inspection Preparatory Course is included in our Premium Industry Career Package - see separate information sheets for details For more details, speak to our Student Advisors; fortwilliam@theunderwatercentre.com or +44 1397 703786.
Commercial Enriched Air Nitrox Training Course The use of Nitrox in the offshore commercial air diving industry is common. Before now, there has been no formal training in its use; current training only existed in the leisure diving world. The majority of users learned on the job so there was a strong need for assurable competency. The Underwater Centre has therefore developed an intensive course in Nitrox training, covering classroom theory as well as its practical application. The course will ensure those who are trained in its use are competent and confident. This course gives candidates the knowledge and understanding required to use Nitrox, become familiar with the equipment and also gain a better understanding of the benefits of its use. Training is aimed at those who work in the offshore commercial diving industry, including superintendents and members of the project management team, and who use or supervise the use of Nitrox in offshore and inshore commercial diving operations, as well as providing an additional measure of competency for commercial divers. Course Features: Dedicated dive site and training area specifically created for the delivery of Nitrox training; First-hand, practical experience of Nitrox handling; Training by the leading provider in the field of commercial diver training; Instructional team highly experienced in the provision of training and in commercial diving operations. Course Objectives: To provide candidates with first hand experience in the use of Nitrox; providing those using Nitrox with important, practical experience in its use, as well as a better understanding of why it is used and its benefits. To ensure candidates using Nitrox in offshore commercial diving operations are competent in its use; providing diving and non-diving personnel with a better understanding of the procedures and techniques involved in Nitrox diving. Course Topics: The Commercial Enriched Air Nitrox Course includes classroom-based theory as well as practical training in our onshore dive tank complex which has been developed to provide dedicated Nitrox training facilities, including an O2 clean room. The classroom-based part of the course covers topics including: the history of Nitrox; potential hazards; Dalton s Law; maximum operating depth; oxygen toxicity; Nitrogen narcosis; gas blending; oxygen cleaning; and legislation. The course also includes an introduction to the planning implications of operating with Nitrox systems in a commercial environment. The Commercial Enriched Air Nitrox Course is included in our Premium Industry, Construction Career and Standard commercial air diver training packages - see separate information sheets for details. For more information, speak to our Student Advisors; fortwilliam@theunderwatercentre.com or +44 1397 703786.
MJI 21 Hydraulically Tensioned Subsea Bolted Connections - ECITB Endorsed Bolt tensioning is a key skill that offshore construction divers should be familiar with and has recently been identified by Technip as a key competence requirement amongst their divers. MJI 21 offers a method of training and validating skills in the specialist critical bolting area. This training course, Work Based Task Assignments (WBTA) and Technical Tests covers isolations, dismantling techniques, inspection of components, alignment techniques and clamp connectors as well as assembly and tightening techniques in specialist critical bolting. This short course teaches discrete, critical skills as requested by industry based on the ECITB Technical Training Standards to provide a route to competence in bolt tensioning. Course Duration: 1 day Course Content: The MJI 21 Hydraulically Tensioned Subsea Bolted Connections Certificate includes the following: Instruction and practice in observing health & safety requirements and approved working practices Dismantle, inspect, prepare, assemble and tighten flanged pipe joints using subsea hydraulic tensioning equipment. Prepare work area for the assembly and tightening of bolted connections using subsea hydraulic tensioning equipment Prepare equipment for the assembly and tightening of bolted connections using subsea hydraulic tensioning equipment Prepare materials for the assembly and tightening of bolted connections using subsea hydraulic tensioning equipment Assemble subsea bolted connections Tighten bolts using subsea hydraulic tensioning equipment Check integrity of assembled subsea bolted connections Reinstate the work area after the assembly and tightening of bolted connections using subsea hydraulic tensioning equipment. PPE Requirements: Safety footwear, overalls and hard hat are required. All other necessary PPE will be provided. Certificate Gained: MJI 21 Hydraulically Tensioned Subsea Bolted Connections - ECITB Endorsed The MJI 21 Hydraulically Tensioned Subsea Bolted Connections Course is included in the Premium Industry and Construction Career Packages. It is also available as a standalone course, and takes just one day to complete. For more information, speak to our Student Advisors; fortwilliam@theunderwatercentre.com or +44 1397 703786.
Unique Location The training you receive at The Underwater Centre is truly unique, thanks to the range of facilities we have for you to train with. With us, you will gain first hand experience of learning how to dive to different depths in changeable tides and currents with varying visibility, including none at all. The subsea dive site and pier-sited cabins have been created to replicate those which you will experience when you start your career, so there ll be no surprises when you do start. The training you receive here in Fort William will provide you with vital experience, not only in commercial diving, but also in the various safety procedures which you will need to know, such as loss of communications, learning how to rescue a stricken diver, and so on. Private Pier The Underwater Centre s 500m long, private pier is situated on the shores of Loch Linnhe a sheltered, tidal sea loch on the west coast of Scotland. The loch is surrounded by high mountains, including Scotland s tallest peak Ben Nevis, which provide shelter and therefore allows training both commercial diver and ROV (remotely operated vehicle) to take place all year round. Our recently upgraded pier, which is only a few minutes walk from our classrooms, accommodation and restaurant, benefits from a range of dedicated cabins for both diving and ROV students. These include NDT cabins, drying rooms, dive control cabins and classrooms, along with ROV cabins for the mobilisation, launch and flight of our Seaeye Falcon ROVs. The pier hosts a number of dive stations, including SCUBA, welding and burning, as well as non-destructive testing plus there s a pontoon for ease of access into the water. Sea-based Training Diver training takes place from our private pier and from our dedicated barges. Below the pier, on the loch bed, are a range of subsea structures on which to train including an oil platform leg, a concrete-clad pipeline, a subsea welding station, numerous wrecks, a purpose-built NDT structure, plus the only dedicated concrete inspection block in the UK. Our two purpose-built moon pool barges Red Baron and Air Diver II are fitted for surface supplied and SCUBA diving. Again, each has been specifically developed to replicate the working environment, so you know the experience you gain while training with us will stand you in good stead for your new career. We also have a dumb barge, Talon, which is fitted for closed bell diving. You will also benefit from learning to dive with ROVs also carrying out tasks in the water around you. We train ROV pilot technicians in diver observations so you could be working on a task on the sea bed with an ROV watching over your shoulder. In addition to our pier, dive stations and barges, we also have three recompression chambers; one of which is used as part of your training on the Surface Supplied Course. Depending on the course you choose, you will learn to dive in a range of Kirby Morgan hats, with umbilicals, and train in the use of underwater tools, welding, cutting and burning equipment. You may also learn how to use and work with hot water suits. Land-based Training We also have a range of land-based facilities including a 1.5million litre, indoor, seawater tank which is used for some of your training. The tank has three large acrylic viewing panels so you can observe your fellow students in the water whilst training. The dive tank area also hosts a number of changing rooms plus additional classrooms. Seeing really is believing. To take a good look around our unique site and extensive facilities, contact one of our student advisors to arrange a visit; +44 (0)1397 703786
Personnel At The Underwater Centre we pride ourselves in the quality, experience and knowledge we are able to bring to each of our courses and to pass on to each of our students thanks to the instructors who teach here. We believe training students can only come from experienced staff who themselves have been, or currently work, in industry and who have hands-on experience of commercial diving. Read on to learn more about the experience our staff have and these are just a few of them Alf Leadbitter, Diver Training Authority Our Diver Training Authority, Alf, is one of the most experienced commercial diver trainers in the world. He has had an extremely successful career, not only as a commercial diver, but also as a Dive Superintendent, Instructor and Assessor and now heads up diver training here in Fort William. Alf has been involved in the mixed gas (saturation) diver training here in Fort William since its beginning, and was instrumental in the creation of the course at our sister school in Tasmania. Alf s professional qualifications include HSE Closed Bell, Offshore Closed Bell Supervisor and Life Support Technician Certificates, along with assessor and internal verifier s qualifications. Alf is responsible for planning the courses here in Fort William, and their structure, acting as an internal verifier and coordinating all the diving personnel to ensure each course is run safely and professionally for each student who attends courses here. Steve Grindrod, Specialist Dive Training Manager Steve s love of water started at a young age, with competition swimming and watching the TV series Sea Hunt, along with other Jacques Cousteau and Hans and Lotte Hass documentaries. This led him on to SCUBA diving and it was during his time at the SCUBA club that he learnt more about commercial diving. At the club he heard stories about commercial divers in the North Sea thanks to the rapid expansion of oil exploration in the area. After studying underwater technology in London, Steve went on to gain a range of diving qualifications, including HSE SCUBA, Surface Supplied, Surface Supplied (Top Up) and Closed Bell certificates. Steve now has over 25 years experience in NDT and underwater inspection and is widely recognised as one of the leading NDT instructors in the subsea industry. Steve s diving career has taken him around the world to West Africa, North Africa, Egypt, India, the Middle East and to the North Sea, and that is one of the things he loves about diving, the travel involved. He also relishes the variety of work and, like most, the money. The only thing that annoys him about being a commercial diver is the amount of time he spends away from home. Not only that but when he returns from working abroad and has got a tan, everyone thinks he has been taking it easy in the sun. Support Team Not only do we have a large dive team, who will support you throughout your training and into your new career, we also have a dedicated support team who are vital to the successful running of the Centre, and your course. Our support team includes qualified engineers and electricians, our vessel s crew and skilled maintenance staff for the vast range of equipment we have here, including diving helmets, dry suits, undersuits, hot water suits, etc. ROV Team One of the advantages of training at The Underwater Centre is that you will be working and training around ROVs, simulating the environment you will experience when you work offshore. Like our commercial diving trainers, our ROV instructors have a wealth of industry experience to pass onto students, so you can be confident that the ROVs in the water with you are performing consistently to industry standards.
An Introduction to Commercial Diving Careers Day The Underwater Centre offers potential students the opportunity to come to Fort William, take a tour of our facilities and have a go at diving in full, commercial diving, surface supplied kit in our purpose-built 1.5million litre indoor tank. This is a great opportunity for you to get a better feel for commercial diving equipment, ask any questions still unanswered about your new career, have a look round the facilities and also to meet and have a chat with our instructors and staff. Visiting us will give you a close up view of what you can expect whilst you're training and working in your new career as a professional or commercial diver. The introductory days are scheduled regularly throughout the year they are generally held once a month. All you need to bring with you is your swimming kit, a towel and change of socks. We will also take pictures of you while you are diving in the tank, and forward them on to you so you can show your friends and family what your new career is all about. The day will begin with an introduction to the Centre, including a tour of our indoor dive tank complex, where you will dive later on in the afternoon. You will receive a formal presentation on the commercial diving industry and discuss career prospects. After a tour of The Underwater Centre pier and facilities, you will receive all the diving equipment required for your surface supplied dive. You are then ready to complete your dive in our indoor tank so you know what a career as a commercial diver is all about. Tristan Rowantree previously attended one of our introductory days at The Underwater Centre, and had this to say about his day in Fort William: I had very high expectations when I arrived, as the Centre has a world renowned reputation. I can honestly say that all my expectations were surpassed in every way. I found the staff at the Centre to be very polite, helpful and of a happy nature which created an atmosphere I am very much looking forward to returning to in the future. The day certainly confirmed to me that commercial diving is the career I want to follow, with a passion, and The Underwater Centre is the place I wish to start that career. To find out more about our introductory days, give our student advisors a call on +44 1397 703 786 or email fortwilliam@theunderwatercentre.com and they ll be happy to talk you through what's involved. The cost of attending an introductory day is fully refundable when you book on a course.
Careers as a Commercial Diver Newly qualified commercial divers from The Underwater Centre, tend to start their new careers working for a UK or European civil engineering diving company, in the first instance. Typical work includes working on dams, harbours, sewer outfalls, fish farms and marina installations, where your tools training will be of vital use. With the UK government focused on renewable energy, there are additional career prospects for new divers in offshore wind farm developments and ongoing maintenance projects. The oil and gas industry will always require commercial divers as it continues to develop, whether through IRM (Inspection, Repair and Maintenance) and construction projects, E&P (Exploration and Production) projects or decommissioning. Commercial divers skilled in underwater welding and burning can find work inshore in areas such as harbour defence and pier construction. Marinas and fish farms the world over employ divers to install anchors and fixings. Welding and burning training opens up a whole other sector of the subsea world, for example ship hull repair and underwater maintenance, or fitting of anodes to braces and hulls. Following civils work over a period of about a year or two, once you ve gained more experience, it is then possible to progress into offshore diving, such as in the North Sea in the Norwegian, British and Dutch Sectors, where you can put your wet bell diving and inspection techniques to work. There is demand for commercial divers in the continually developing Far Eastern market, offshore Abu Dhabi and Iran, for example. A large portion of work for divers is in the fabrication and construction industries. Typical employers are Haliburton, Oceaneering, Subsea 7, McDermotts and Technip; all of whom are multinational companies who own diving and remotely operated vehicle (ROV) support vessels which operate worldwide. The offshore renewables industry is adding to the demand for commercial divers with the construction and maintenance of offshore windfarms. Most commercial divers tend to be self-employed; so it takes motivation and determination to get that first job once you ve completed your training, and also persistence to maintain work and when looking for new roles. Typical earning potential for an offshore diver is 450 per day with an expectation of 120 to 150 days work per year. An inshore or civil engineering diver on the other hand will earn 120 to 250 per day and work perhaps 180 to 200 days per year. Your earning potential will depend on a number of factors, including where you re working, who you are working for, and the certificates and experience you have i.e. IMCA Diver Medic or CSWIP 3.1U Underwater Inspection tickets. Once you have enough working hours as a commercial diver at certain depths, you can return to The Underwater Centre to complete our HSE Closed Bell (saturation/ mixed gas) diving course which could lead to earnings of over 1,000 per day in the North Sea or over $850 US per day in the Far East. Salaries over a 12 month period can go over 75,000 per year dependent upon the number of days worked and at what level. All divers are trained in First Aid and Oxygen Administration; however, at last one member of every offshore dive team has to be trained in advanced first aid, so having the IMCA Diver Medic certificate could enhance your job prospects. As part of our service to you, we will provide you with a list of world wide, UK and European diving companies. We will also provide advice on writing your CV, how to apply for jobs and general guidance on looking for work. Companies also contact us when they are looking for divers, so we also communicate these opportunities to our graduates.