In the last post we saw how you could turn your passion for Scuba diving into professional work with recreational scuba jobs as a Scuba instructor or dive master on cruise ships, in resorts or even liveaboards. If you’re looking to for a more challenging and higher paid scuba job and without the glamor, commercial diving maybe for you. There is a much wider array of  Scuba jobs in the commercial line and they are well paid as the skill set required is unique and not as easy as recreational diving. The conditions may be challenging and the also very demanding physically. Commercial diving also uses different scuba diving equipment depending on the job at hand.

Here’s a look at a few commercial scuba job opportunities out there-

Seafood harvesting: This job entails divers to harvest seafood such as Urchins, Sea Cucumbers and Geoduck clams. The diving is seasonal and returns are based on the value of the product harvesting which can range from $4000 to $5000 a week or more even.

Oil Rigs: Hard hat diving on offshore oil and gas platforms and pipelines doing surveying, building and maintenance is a diver’s job. This field however may require additional skills like welding and other knowledge of the trade. The conditions for diving her are extremely harsh and require a lot of training and special equipment.

Engineering Inspections: Divers are used for inspecting underwater repairs, building, demolition and salvage. Other skills like engineering, surveying and welding will be required int his field.

Media: These jobs involve underwater photography, underwater film making and stunts. A great job for underwater videographers and photographers with recreational experience and love for film making and media.

Police: This diving involves searching and recovering bodies and evidence. You have to already be in police service for this diving job.

Military Diving: If you are already enrolled in the military with scuba skills, you can opt for this position. Military diving is very demanding and usually means diving in appalling conditions, confined spaces and low visibility.

Other commercial diving jobs: Environmental Surveys,Vessel salvage, Scientific/Research Diving, Search and Recovery, Underwater welding etc.

The training for commercial diving is very different from recreational diving certification. These divers dive to much deeper depths in the most difficult and hazardous environments with specialized dive equipment. The training is grueling, physically and mentally as in commercial diving jobs the risks too are high.However, if you wish to enter the world of commercial diving the rewards from all the hard work are very generous.

* Photo Credits: photos by Maritime Archaeology @ University of Southern DK, laszlo-photo on flickr