Overview
Commercial divers conduct underwater work for offshore oil & gas (rig and pipeline inspection, repair), port infrastructure (dredging, repair), defence (mine clearance, hull inspection), ship hull cleaning and inspection, salvage operations, and scientific research. The work is physically demanding and well-paid — among the highest tax-free entry salaries in India for diving in international waters. Indian commercial diving demand spans the offshore industry (ONGC, Cairn / Vedanta), port operators (Adani, JSW, Mumbai Port), shipping companies (hull inspection), and the Indian Navy's specialised diving units.
Day-to-day responsibilities
Plan dives with dive supervisor — depth, duration, equipment, safety; conduct underwater inspections of structures (pipelines, rig legs, ship hulls); perform underwater welding, cutting, and repair work; conduct underwater photography and videography for client reports; manage decompression schedules and chamber procedures; maintain diving equipment (helmet, dry suit, umbilical, surface gear); handle emergency situations (entrapment, equipment failure, decompression sickness); document each dive in logs.
Skills required
- Commercial diving techniques (air, mixed gas, saturation)
- Underwater welding and cutting (wet, dry, hyperbaric)
- Decompression theory and table use
- Underwater inspection (visual, NDT — ultrasonic, magnetic particle)
- ROV (remotely operated vehicle) operation
- Dive equipment maintenance (helmets, umbilical, surface-supply gear)
- Emergency procedures (decompression sickness, gas embolism)
- Physical fitness and mental discipline
Education path
10+2 minimum (PCM preferred). Commercial Diver Certification from an IMCA (International Marine Contractors Association)-recognised diving school. Top Indian schools: National Institute of Diving Technology Kochi, Indian Diving Institute Goa, Mumbai Maritime Training Institute. Training duration 6-12 months. International certifications: HSE Part I (Surface Supplied), HSE Part II (Closed Bell), HSE Part III (Closed Bell Top-up). Class 1 Diving Medical clearance mandatory.
Career progression
- 1Trainee Diver / Air Diver (0-3 yrs)
- 2Commercial Diver — Mixed Gas (3-7 yrs)
- 3Saturation Diver / Senior Diver (7-12 yrs)
- 4Diving Supervisor (12-18 yrs)
- 5Diving Operations Manager (18+ yrs)
Top employers in India
Useful certifications
- HSE Part I (Surface Supplied Diving)
- HSE Part II (Closed Bell / Saturation Diving)
- IMCA Approved Diver
- AWS Underwater Welding Certification
- First Aid + Emergency Oxygen Provider for Diving Injuries
- Class 1 Diving Medical (HSE / DGS approved)