Underwater Salvage Diver

The diver operates exothermic cutting torches like the Broco underwater cutting torch system, burning tubular steel rods loaded with aluminum and magnesium wires in a stream of pure industrial oxygen at temperatures exceeding five thousand five hundred degrees Celsius. Breathing surface supplied Nitrox enriched air nitrox blends via specialized commercial diving helmets like the Kirby Morgan SuperLite 17, the diver extends bottom working times and reduces decompression obligations while working inside flooded vessel engine rooms and collapsed harbor piers.

While surface tenders regulate gas pressures and tender diver umbilicals, underwater thermal cutting inside sunken ship hulls presents lethal physical hazards that demand extraordinary manual grit and situational awareness. Burning steel underwater produces explosive hydrogen and oxygen gas mixtures that can accumulate in overhead inverted ceiling pockets. An errant spark into an unvented gas pocket can cause a devastating deflagration that ruptures the diver helmet or causes fatal barotrauma. The diver drills vent holes to exhaust trapped gases, navigates submerged debris by touch alone, rigs heavy wire slings to severed structural sections, and coordinates live surface communications.

The shift begins on the dive salvage barge stationed over a capsized cargo vessel blocking an active river ship canal. The diver completes the pre dive equipment check, inspecting helmet communications, testing the emergency bailout cylinder, and verifying that the surface manifold is supplying a thirty six percent enriched Nitrox blend. Stepping into the dive stage, the diver is lowered into murky, zero visibility water down to twenty meters depth. Navigating along a pre rigged down line, they enter a breached hull compartment using tactile feel. The diver strikes the Broco exothermic cutting rod against a ground striker plate, igniting a five thousand degree flame to sever a twisted four inch deck stanchion. Before each cut, they verify that overhead hull vent holes are clear to prevent explosive hydrogen accumulation. After completing two cuts and rigging a ten ton lift sling, the diver informs the surface supervisor and ascends for in water decompression stops.

In the afternoon, you execute core deliverables, consult with cross functional colleagues, document operational outcomes, and ensure that all equipment and handover notes are fully updated before completing the shift.

An Underwater Salvage Nitrox Cutting Torch Demolition Diver performs underwater thermal cutting, explosive cutting, and heavy mechanical dismantling on sunken ships, collapsed marine infrastructure, offshore oil platforms, and bridge piers. Operating in demanding commercial diving teams from salvage barges, dive tenders, and floating work platforms, the diver works in zero visibility water, severe tidal currents, and confined hull compartments to slice thick steel armor plates, drive shafts, and structural pilings.

Core responsibilities include execute manual underwater exothermic cutting on sunken ship hulls, heavy steel bulkheads, and structural piles., operational coordination, and ensuring strict adherence to Kenyan statutory frameworks and quality standards.

Key organizations hiring for this role include Kenya Ports Authority KPA Marine Operations, Kenya Maritime Authority KMA, Kenya Pipeline Company KPC Offshore Terminal, Kenya Coast Guard Service, alongside expanding opportunities in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and regional infrastructure projects.

Underwater Salvage Diver Specialist, Senior Underwater Salvage Diver, Underwater Salvage Diver Lead, Underwater Salvage Diver Consultant

While surface tenders regulate gas pressures and tender diver umbilicals, underwater thermal cutting inside sunken ship hulls presents lethal physical hazards that demand extraordinary manual grit and situational awareness. Burning steel underwater produces explosive hydrogen and oxygen gas mixtures that can accumulate in overhead inverted ceiling pockets. An errant spark into an unvented gas pocket can cause a devastating deflagration that ruptures the diver helmet or causes fatal barotrauma. The diver drills vent holes to exhaust trapped gases, navigates submerged debris by touch alone, rigs heavy wire slings to severed structural sections, and coordinates live surface communications.