What do commercial divers really do?

A commercial diver is a skilled professional who performs underwater jobs for private and government organizations. Integral members of construction, inspection and maintenance teams, they perform tasks in a range of sectors from the oil and gas industry to municipal water and sewer departments. Many of the construction and maintenance assignments that they perform are similar to jobs typically performed on land. The expertise of these divers ensures that crucial systems are working properly, which reduces the risk of harm to the environment. The equipment that divers use depends upon the type of job that they are performing.

Offshore divers work in challenging open-water environments and may live on oil rigs or service vessels for extended periods. They install, inspect and repair pipelines, pumps, valves and other equipment. Inland divers work on projects in lakes, rivers and harbors. These divers inspect and repair bridges, dams and other civil engineering projects. Some divers undergo additional specialized training that enables them to weld underwater or work in hazardous environments, such as sewer and reactor water intake and discharge systems, which contain toxic chemicals and radiation. While scientific divers collect data for research and environmental projects, media divers operate underwater cameras for television and movie productions. Commercial divers may also perform marine salvage and wreck removal operations.