Diving & ROV: Commercial Diving Offshore

In this captivating book, thirty years of experience in the diving industry are brought to life through real stories, real people, and real places. From beginning to end, readers are transported into the surreal world in which divers make their living, where no day is ever the same as the last. Underwater commercial divers face constant change, relying entirely on the surface support teams to survive. A single construction barge can have up to 290 people working onboard, all supporting the one diver on the seabed, from life support technicians to crane drivers, riggers, and catering crews. On DP vessels, 90 people onboard keep the vessel in position while divers complete tasks. Cooks work around the clock to feed the diving and ROV teams working 24/7, while seamen keep the vessel in top condition. Meanwhile, the company man pushes for more production, putting lives at risk. The diving superintendent plans operations as safely as possible, facing a constant battle with clients and even the bridge crew to keep the vessel and assets safe. The divers themselves, a diverse mix of race and creed, work two twelve-hour shifts running continuous operations subsea. While technology has improved with things like underwater cameras and communications, the basic principles and diving tables have remained largely unchanged. ROVs have also come a long way, but still account for 70% of incidents with DP accidents. The diving industry has its cycles of "feast or famine," with demand for divers skyrocketing during events like Hurricane Katrina, only to plummet during leaner times. Health and safety is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and the money spent on it could be channelled into research and development of safer diving equipment. Despite the challenges, diving and ROV work has a bright future, whether in oil and gas or renewable energy. It's a job with never a dull moment, with surprises, joy, and disappointments at every turn. This book offers a fascinating glimpse into the lives of those who have made it their passion. In this captivating book, thirty years of experience in the diving industry are brought to life through real stories, real people, and real places. From beginning to end, readers are transported into the surreal world in which divers make their living, where no day is ever the same as the last. Underwater commercial divers face constant change, relying entirely on the surface support teams to survive. A single construction barge can have up to 290 people working onboard, all supporting the one diver on the seabed, from life support technicians to crane drivers, riggers, and catering crews. On DP vessels, 90 people onboard keep the vessel in position while divers complete tasks. Cooks work around the clock to feed the diving and ROV teams working 24/7, while seamen keep the vessel in top condition. Meanwhile, the company man pushes for more production, putting lives at risk. The diving superintendent plans operations as safely as possible, facing a constant battle with clients and even the bridge crew to keep the vessel and assets safe. The divers themselves, a diverse mix of race and creed, work two twelve-hour shifts running continuous operations subsea. While technology has improved with things like underwater cameras and communications, the basic principles and diving tables have remained largely unchanged. ROVs have also come a long way, but still account for 70% of incidents with DP accidents. The diving industry has its cycles of "feast or famine," with demand for divers skyrocketing during events like Hurricane Katrina, only to plummet during leaner times. Health and safety is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and the money spent on it could be channelled into research and development of safer diving equipment. Despite the challenges, diving and ROV work has a bright future, whether in oil and gas or renewable energy. It's a job with never a dull moment, with surprises, joy, and disappointments at every turn.