What Is a Dive Supervisor and How to Become One
What Does a Dive Supervisor Do?
As a dive supervisor, you implement dive plans based on your clients’ construction projects in coordination with barge or vessel teams and your superintendents. Your responsibilities include monitoring the safety and competence of your dive team, choosing a suitable location, supervising underwater construction work, and ensuring its completion in compliance with all legal requirements and recommendations from the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA). You assist your dive team in performing repair and maintenance work and inspect in-water structures and other components. Other duties include the regular inspection of diving equipment, which entails maintaining valid certification for it. You also keep records, update logs, and prepare reports with IMCA standards in mind.
How to Become a Dive Supervisor in Construction
The qualifications to become a dive supervisor in construction include a high school diploma, an SSA diver’s certificate, certification as a commercial diver, and at least three years of experience in the diving industry. You must have an updated diver’s logbook and a variety of certifications including HSE, IMCA, Diving Medical, Bell or Air Diver Supervisor, offshore medical, TBOSITE, and H2S. It is critical that you understand the requirements for underwater construction inspecting and have some exposure to the installation of J-tubes, riser clamps, risers, sleepers, pipe laying activities, and stinger check. You must be knowledgeable of diving procedures, techniques, equipment, and emergency protocols and oxygen systems. You are expected to have strong leadership and communication skills, be detail-oriented, and be certified in CPR and First Aid. You must also pass an annual ADCI diving physical.
