As a diver in the offshore oil and gas industry, you could be:diving up to a depth of 50 metres using wet bells (or 'open bells') and surface chambers ‘saturation diving' (also called 'closed bell diving') to depths beyond 50 metres doing a range of underwater tasks on oil and gas installations, such as surveying, building and repairing carrying out non-destructive testing (NDT), for example inspecting concrete and metal joints visually, using video and still cameras identifying faults and weaknesses in oil and gas installations and doing repairs and general maintenance cutting concrete and steel welding – both wet and dry – involving manual metal arc welding and using underwater electrodes.Divers work in various other fields as well as in the oil and gas industry. Their duties vary, in some cases, diving is only a small part of the job, in others, it is a major part.Civil Engineering: this often involves using hydraulic and pneumatic tools in projects such as harbours, bridges, oil rigs, offshore wind farms, canals and sewage out-falls. Marine Science: most of those involved in diving are scientists by training, such as biologists, chemists and geologists. Diving is only part of the work they do, which could include studying the distribution of sea-life, the effects of pollution, or the testing of equipment for use at sea. Media Diving: this could include carrying out underwater photography, video or filming for magazines, television or the cinema. Some divers are from a scientific background (see above); others are qualified photographers. Nautical Archaeology: this could include surveying sunken vessels and other submerged objects, to make sure that they are not a hazard to passing shipping. Occasionally, divers might get involved in salvage work. Police: this could include underwater searching in lakes, rivers, canals, sewers and cesspits for stolen property or human remains, or searching for explosives for security reasons. Recreational Diving: in this field, diving instructors work mostly in swimming pools or tourist resorts, teaching snorkelling and scuba diving, underwater navigation and safety and care of equipment. Army: divers from the Royal Engineers carry out underwater searches and underwater engineering work. Royal Navy: this could include searching for and dealing with unexploded bombs and mines, and inspecting and maintaining the hulls of ships. Ship’s divers in the Fleet Air Arm could be involved in rescuing people from capsized vessels or crashed aircraft.
