Where Does Commercial Diving Take Place?
Commercial diving takes places all over the world no matter the geological location. Modern civilization wants conveniences and with conveniences comes a huge consumption of oil. The oil fields of the Gulf of Mexico needs divers. The dive companies that work the gulf are huge employers of commercial divers. However, this type of dive work only takes up a portion of the industry. There are still the thousands of dams, bridges, piers, tunnels, ships, sewer outfalls. There are thousands of these types of structures being built every year and most of the projects utilize commercial divers at least once through out the duration of the job. Along with all the new construction, there is always the maintenance of these structures.
Right now there is huge amount of work in the Gulf of Mexico due to the large amount of destruction caused during hurricane Katrina and others. There are many divers getting great underwater welding experience quickly due to the need for divers. What used to take a year or two to really start diving on a regular basis is now only taking a few months. Obviously you won't be "breaking out" right after Commercial Diving School. But at least you will be getting wet.
Inshore Commercial diving is also quite busy right now due to the lack of maintenance on the internal infrastructure in this country, alot of bridges, dams, piers, etc. are falling apart or about to. This is why there is a lot of underwater welding / commercial diving needs. When working the Inshore Commercial Diving Scene you are alot more likely to be diving more often. However, you in general you will not get paid as much unless you join a Union. Diving Unions are usually part of the International Brother Hood of Carpenters. I suggest you really focus on this option because it is the only way to make a good living while diving inshore.
It can be a very lucrative occupation for a commitment and hard working individual. It takes more than just a normal person to become a commercial diver, you have to be determined and not easily deterred. Many people come and go in the diving industry, very few make it for the long hall.
Underwater welding
Underwater welding is a big reason why so many people get into commercial diving. Underwater welding is definitely fun and challenging but you have to be aware that there are many other aspects of the commercial diving industry besides underwater welding. Make sure when researching underwater welding schools you also use the term commercial diving in your search.
