Description
Work underwater using surface-supplied hard-hat diving systems to inspect, construct, repair, or salvage marine and offshore structures and equipment. Operate hydraulic and pneumatic tools, perform underwater cutting and welding, and document conditions with video and non-destructive testing. Coordinate closely with topside via umbilical communications and follow strict dive planning, safety, and decompression procedures.
- • Maintain hard-wire communications with topside via the umbilical and follow tender signals.
- • Adhere to dive plans, JSA, and decompression procedures; monitor depth and time with pneumo and gauges.
- • Inspect and maintain helmets, umbilicals, bailout bottles, harnesses, valves, and gauges.
- • Stage, enter, and exit the water with tender assistance using surface-supplied hard-hat systems.
- • Review drawings, procedures, and site conditions (currents, visibility, hazards) before diving.
- • Inspect and document docks, vessels, intakes/outfalls, pipelines, cables, and sewers using helmet video, stills, sonar, and NDT tools.
- • Perform structural repairs below the waterline using hand, pneumatic, and hydraulic tools.
- • Cut and weld underwater using burning bars, exothermic torches, and welding equipment.
- • Rig and recover objects; sling loads and coordinate lifts with cranes, winches, and derricks.
- • Set and align piles, templates, and footings for piers, bridges, cofferdams, and platforms.
- • Collect samples, measurements, and photographs for condition assessments and reports.
- • Install, inspect, clean, and repair piping, valves, blanks, and cofferdam seals.
- • Operate and tend underwater video, sonar, dredges, airlifts, and jetting equipment.
- • Clear obstructions from strainers, propellers, and launch ways using hydraulic or pneumatic tools.
- • Conduct salvage operations, including sectioning, patching, dewatering, and controlled use of explosives per plan.
- • Support search, recovery, and contamination-control dives with appropriate PPE and procedures.
- • Perform NDT (MPI, UT, CP readings) on underwater steel and concrete, including offshore structures.
- • Drill in rock or concrete and place anchors or charges in accordance with blasting plans.
- • Remove debris and marine growth; clean hulls, structures, and work sites.
- • Execute offshore platform inspections, repairs, and maintenance on drilling and production assets.
- • Manage umbilical handling, topside connections, gas supply checks, and emergency bailout procedures.
- • Complete dive logs, as-builts, and handover reports; mentor tenders or junior divers as assigned.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
