Description
Work below the waterline to prepare, weld, and cut steel on ships, bridges, pipelines, and offshore platforms using surface-supplied air or scuba. Set up and operate wet welding/cutting and dry hyperbaric habitat systems to inspect, fit, repair, and install metal components. Perform testing and documentation while following strict diving, electrical, and hot-work safety procedures.
- • Communicate with topside while welding or cutting underwater via umbilical voice or signals.
- • Monitor dive profiles and enforce electrical isolation, hot-work permits, and decompression procedures.
- • Inspect, clean, bevel, and fit joints; remove coatings and marine growth to achieve proper weld prep.
- • Set up, test, and maintain underwater welding and cutting gear, stingers, leads, knife switches, and power sources.
- • Perform wet SMAW and exothermic/oxy-arc cutting to remove or shape steel components.
- • Execute dry hyperbaric habitat welding per approved welding procedures (WPS).
- • Weld patches, doubler plates, brackets, and structural members on hulls, pilings, and platforms.
- • Install and weld pipe spools, flanges, valves, and supports; perform tie-ins and leak repairs.
- • Burn and remove damaged or corroded sections, fasteners, or obstructions using thermal cutting tools.
- • Position and secure work using rigging, clamps, strongbacks, and jigs underwater.
- • Coordinate isolation, drainage, and gas monitoring for habitats, cofferdams, and enclosed spaces.
- • Perform visual inspection and support NDT of welds and base metal (VT, MT, UT).
- • Test and verify weld integrity using methods such as vacuum box checks or pressure/leak tests as required.
- • Record weld maps, materials, consumables, and as-built documentation for QA/QC.
- • Collaborate with engineers and welding inspectors to interpret drawings, WPSs, and acceptance criteria.
- • Operate underwater video and still cameras to document weld prep and completed work.
- • Inspect and maintain diving helmets, umbilicals, welding equipment, and life-support systems.
- • Assess environmental and job conditions (currents, visibility, metallurgy, cathodic protection) before operations.
- • Install or weld sacrificial anodes and cathodic protection hardware; verify electrical continuity.
- • Support offshore maintenance by repairing legs, braces, risers, and conductors on drilling rigs and platforms.
- • Train and direct tenders or junior divers during welding and cutting tasks.
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Supply Chain & Transportation
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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
