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Richard10002 |
 posted :
May 6, 2007 Post subject: Semi Commercial Diving??
Having searched and read quite a few threads - Probably no such thing, but I need to ask the question to satisfy my curiosity, and get on with other stuff.
I am a PADI Master Scuba Diver, which doesnt necessarily mean much in itself. I've done 100 dives, of which quite a few have been Red Sea liveaboard in some "relatively" hairy conditions.
I recently dove to check the underwater condition of the hull of my boat, including prop and anodes, took some photos and, as a result of my findings, subsequently dove and fitted a new prop shaft anode.
All fairly straightforward stuff, and it saved me the cost of having the boat lifted and relaunched, (several hundred pounds in most places in Europe).
This has given me the idea of offering to check and photograph boat hulls, and carry out "simple" maintenance and repairs. The aim would be to earn some pin money, and give me something to do which I enjoy.
However, once this goes beyond doing a mate an unpaid favour to offering a commercial service, it sems that I get into the realms of HSE, professional diver training, and mega costs - the training is obviously geared to diving on North Sea rigs and other very serious stuff, and seems way over the top for what I want to do. It's clearly not worth spending £5K or £10k to earn the odd £50 here and there.
Given that the diving only involves depths of a couple of metres, and would only be undertaken in calm water/weather, does anyone know of a way of getting into this at the level I want, without having to spend a fortune on what seems like excessive training.
I'm guessing the answer is no, but it's worth a try.
many Thanks
Richard
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dobby |
posted :
May 6, 2007 Post subject: Semi Commercial Diving??
I am afraid to say that as a padi diver and not a certified commercial diver you can not offer your services for reward, as in the eyes of the HSE you wouldn't be deemed qualified and you would be taking work away from other comercial divers who depend on that work for a living, think how you would feel if someone started taking your livelyhood away.
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Richard10002 |
posted :
May 7, 2007 Post subject: Semi Commercial Diving??
Dobby - you are absolutely right, and that is precisely why I asked the question. It just seems a bit over the top to have to train to the level of a North Sea rig diver, when I only want to offer simple services , mostly at around 1m to 2m, with the odd recovery at say, 7m - 10m.
Thanks for the input
Richard
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Richard10002 |
posted :
May 7, 2007 Post subject: Semi Commercial Diving??
Looks like the HSC Scuba at about £2500 might cover my needs... any comments welcomed
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dobby |
posted :
May 10, 2007 Post subject: Semi Commercial Diving??
try the Professional Diving Academy in Dunoon you can phone them on : 01369 701 701 or try their web site www.professionaldivingacademy.co.uk
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dobby |
posted :
May 10, 2007 Post subject: Semi Commercial Diving??
sorry it's .com not .co.uk
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TOBE |
posted :
May 13, 2007 Post subject: Semi Commercial Diving??
It would seem that doing your part 4 (scuba) would solve the problem, however even with this qualification you face another problem and that is that what you are doing would be classed as a commercial operation and would therefore have to be done under HSE regulations ie, minimum 4 man team, risk assesments etc.. and yes this is for even such simple jobs as clearing rope from a prop.
I have done prop inspection etc.. on small boats with surface supplied, 5 man team.
It does seem stupid, however there are very good reasons behind this. The days when commercial diving was dangourous are generally gone because of this strict safety policy. I know of deaths involving recreational scuba divers working on there boats and moorings. If you want to continue doing this please think long and hard about ways to make it as safe as possible for yourself. As for doing your part 4 you should consider whether it is really worth doing.
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