Commercial Diver in Malaysia, just like Underwater Welder, plays a critical and specialised role in the oil and gas industry. Often referred to as commercial underwater divers or saturation divers, they perform various tasks, including inspection, maintenance, repair, and installation of underwater infrastructure connected to oil and gas extraction.
Equipped with advanced diving techniques, safety training and an understanding of the complex oil and gas operations, they work in challenging conditions beneath the surface, contributing significantly to Malaysia’s status as a leading player in the global oil and gas industry.
Career as Commercial Diver in Maaysia
How much does Commercial Diver make in Malaysia per month?
Salaries for underwater divers in the oil and gas industry can vary greatly depending on the level of experience, the complexity of the tasks, and the level of risk involved.
On average, an Underwater Diver in Malaysia can earn around MYR 5,000 to MYR 10,000 per month in the oil and gas industry.
However, the salary can go up to MYR 20,000 per month or more for more complex and riskier tasks. Please note that these are approximate figures and actual salaries may vary.
Remember, income can also be influenced by factors like hazard pay and bonuses, not just base salary, especially in high-risk professions such as underwater diving for the oil and gas industry.
Is Commercial Diver in high demand in Malaysia?
The demand for underwater divers, particularly commercial divers, is relatively high in Malaysia due to the country’s significant oil and gas industry. Commercial divers play a vital role in offshore drilling operations, performing tasks like construction, inspection, maintenance, and repair of structures and pipelines.
However, the demand can fluctuate based on the health of the oil and gas industry, which is subject to global market forces, oil prices, and investment in offshore drilling projects.
It’s also worth noting that this is a highly specialized field with stringent physical and safety requirements.
Divers need to be certified through recognized training programs and must have a good understanding of underwater equipment, procedures, and safety protocols.
Therefore, while there are opportunities in this field in Malaysia, potential divers should conduct thorough research, take appropriate training, and understand the risks and challenges involved.
Remember that the actual demand can vary and it’s always best to check with local resources or industry agencies for the most accurate and current information.
Is Commercial Diver a good career in Malaysia?
Underwater diving, specifically commercial diving, is an important career within the oil and gas industry in Malaysia. It is a specialized field that requires extensive training and certification. The job involves various tasks including underwater welding, inspection, repair, and maintenance of offshore rigs or pipelines.
Malaysia, being a significant player in the Southeast Asian oil and gas sector, offers several opportunities for commercial divers. With its extensive coastline and offshore oil and gas operations, there is a demand for skilled divers.
However, it’s also worth noting the challenges and risks involved. Commercial diving is a physically demanding and potentially dangerous job. It demands long hours, physical resilience, aptitude for technical skills, and sometimes requires being away from home for extended periods.
Additionally, the oil and gas industry can be somewhat volatile, with job opportunities affected by fluctuating oil prices and the push towards renewable energy sources.
Salary-wise, commercial divers can be well-compensated, particularly if they have specialized skills. However, the career progression may be limited compared to other fields.
Commercial underwater diving could be a good career in Malaysia’s oil and gas industry for those who are interested and prepared for the physical demands and risks inherent in the job. It is advisable to conduct further research, speak to industry professionals, and consider your personal career goals, interests, and risk tolerance before making a decision.
What kind of companies hire Commercial Diver in Malaysia?
In the context of oil and gas jobs, the following types of companies in Malaysia typically hire underwater divers:
- Offshore Drilling Companies: For example, UMW Oil & Gas, Sapura Energy, and Petronas Carigali.
- Subsea Engineering and Construction Companies: Firms such as McDermott, TechnipFMC, and Subsea 7.
- Underwater Services Companies: Companies like Underwater Contractors Pte. Ltd. and Kreuz Subsea provide divers for a variety of underwater tasks.
- Inspection, Repair, and Maintenance Companies: These companies require divers for inspection and maintenance of oil rig structures, pipelines, and other underwater installations. Examples include Oceaneering and DOF Subsea.
- Salvage Companies: Firms like Ardent Global which offer salvage services for sunken ships, offshore platforms, and other structures.
- Survey and Exploration Companies: Companies that conduct underwater surveys and exploration, like Fugro and PGS.
It’s important to note that not all of these companies may be hiring at any given time, and openings for underwater divers may be competitive. Also, this job generally requires specific training and certification.
What other jobs can Commercial Diver do?
Underwater divers can perform a variety of jobs, including but not limited to:
- Inspection and Surveying: Divers conduct routine inspections of underwater pipelines, rigs, and other infrastructure to identify and report any damage or potential hazards.
- Installation and Maintenance: Divers install, repair, and maintain underwater equipment and structures such as oil platforms and pipelines, using a variety of tools and machinery.
- Welding and Cutting: Underwater welding is a crucial job that divers perform to repair damages or construct new structures. This job requires specialized training and equipment.
- Non-destructive testing (NDT): This involves using various methods to test the integrity of structures and materials without causing damage. Techniques include ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle inspection, and dye penetrant inspection.
- Salvage Operations: In the event of an accident or disaster, divers may be called upon to recover equipment, machinery, or even entire structures from the sea floor.
- Drilling Support: Divers provide assistance during drilling operations. This can involve tasks like assisting with the positioning of the drill, clearing obstructions, or performing maintenance and repairs.
- ROV Operations: Some divers may operate remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) to perform tasks at depths that are too dangerous or impractical for human divers.
- Demolition: Divers may be involved in the safe demolition and removal of outdated or damaged underwater structures.
- Hazardous Material Handling: In some cases, divers might be required to handle and dispose of hazardous materials, such as during an oil spill clean-up operation.
- Underwater Photography and Videography: These skills are often used during inspection or survey tasks, providing visual records of underwater conditions and potential issues.
All these jobs require specific training, certifications, and often physical fitness due to the challenging nature of underwater work.
What are the skills required for Commercial Diver?
Becoming an underwater diver requires a specific set of skills and abilities. Here are some of them:
- Scuba Diving Certification: Before you can dive, you need to be certified. There are many organizations such as PADI, NAUI, and SSI that offer certification courses.
- Swimming Skills: Proficiency in swimming is essential. You should be comfortable in the water and capable of swimming a certain distance and treading water or floating for a certain time.
- Physical Fitness: Diving can be physically demanding, especially when dealing with strong currents, carrying heavy equipment, or performing a long dive. Good physical condition is necessary.
- Navigation Skills: You need to know how to navigate underwater using a compass and natural landmarks. This is important for avoiding getting lost and for finding your boat or shore entry point.
- Equipment Handling: Knowledge of how to use and maintain your equipment properly is key. This includes your mask, fins, snorkel, regulator, buoyancy compensator, dive computer, and more.
- Understanding of Dive Science: Divers should be familiar with the basic principles of dive science, including decompression theory, understanding of pressure and buoyancy, and the effects of diving on the body.
- Problem Solving: The ability to think and act quickly in emergencies is crucial. This includes skills like mask clearing, regulator recovery, and emergency ascents.
- Communication Skills: You need to be able to communicate effectively with your dive buddy and any other divers in your group. This is often done through hand signals.
- Environmental Awareness: It’s important to understand and respect the underwater environment. This includes interacting responsibly with marine life and understanding the effects of temperature, tide, current, and visibility on your dive.
- Stress and Panic Management: Diving can be stressful, and panic underwater can be dangerous. Being able to remain calm and handle stressful situations is key.
- First Aid and Rescue Skills: Basic knowledge of first aid, CPR, and rescue procedures is crucial, particularly for dealing with potential diving accidents.
Each of these skills can be developed through training and experience. Some people might also need specific training for certain types of diving, like technical diving, cave diving, or ice diving.
Is there any differences between Commercial Diver and Air Diver?
Yes, there are differences between Commercial Diver and Air Diver. Commercial diver and air diver are terms used in the diving industry that are often misunderstood.
Commercial Diver: This is a broad term that refers to any diver who is paid to perform diving tasks. This can include a wide range of jobs in various industries, such as the oil and gas industry, construction, salvage, military, research, and more. Commercial divers can use a variety of breathing gases, including air, nitrox, heliox, and others, depending on the specifics of the job and the depth of the dive.
Air Diver: This is a specific type of commercial diving where the diver breathes air, as opposed to other gases like helium or nitrogen. Air diving is usually conducted at shallower depths, typically less than 50 meters, due to the risks of nitrogen narcosis and decompression sickness associated with breathing air at greater depths.
In the context of the oil and gas industry, both commercial divers and air divers are used. The specific job requirements, including the depth and duration of the dive, will determine whether an air diver or a diver using another type of breathing gas is needed. So, all air divers are commercial divers, but not all commercial divers are air divers.
How can I become Commercial Diver in Malaysia?
Becoming an underwater diver in Malaysia, specifically for the oil & gas industry, involves several steps. Here’s an outline of the general process:
- Physical Examination: You need to be physically fit to work as an underwater diver. A comprehensive medical examination is required to ensure your fitness level is suitable for the job.
- Basic Open Water Certification: The first step to becoming a diver is to get open water certification. Organizations like PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors) offer courses around the world, including Malaysia.
- Advanced Diving Certifications: After completing open water certification, you will need to pursue more advanced certifications. These can include rescue diving, deep diving, and wreck diving among others.
- Commercial Diving Training: To work in the oil & gas industry, you will need commercial diving training. Commercial diving is a lot different from recreational diving and requires additional skills such as welding, cutting, rigging, inspections, and more. Institutions like the International Diving Centre in Canada offer commercial diving courses. Unfortunately, there seem to be no commercial diving schools in Malaysia, but the skills and certifications are internationally recognized.
- Offshore Survival Courses: These are specific courses for people who wish to work offshore, including oil & gas divers. The courses typically cover safety, survival techniques, firefighting, first aid, and helicopter underwater escape training (HUET).
- Gain Experience: Start gaining experience in diving jobs. This can be in different industries to build up your diving and underwater skills.
- Apply for Jobs: Once you have the necessary certifications and experience, you can start applying for underwater oil & gas industry jobs in Malaysia. You may find opportunities with offshore oil drilling companies, underwater repair and maintenance services, or with underwater construction companies.
It’s important to note that this job can be physically demanding and potentially dangerous, so proper training and certifications are crucial. You should also be comfortable with being away from home for extended periods and be prepared for the physical demands and potential hazards of the job.
What is the career path working as Commercial Diver?
Working as an underwater diver in the oil and gas industry can be an exciting and rewarding career path. Here is a typical career progression:
- Education and Training: Before starting, you need to complete high school level education. Then, most commercial divers typically require a post-secondary course in diving from an accredited diving school. Training in areas such as physics, physiology, dive medicine, decompression, and operational safety are also essential.
- Certification: Various certifications are required to be an underwater diver. These include SCUBA certification, commercial diving certification, and HSE (Health Safety and Environment) certification. Specific certification requirements may vary by country.
- Entry-Level Position: After certification, you can start as a ‘Diver Tender’ or ‘Dive Helper’ in the oil and gas industry. This role involves assisting experienced divers and learning the trade firsthand.
- Experienced Diver: After gaining enough experience (usually a couple of years), you may become a fully-fledged commercial diver. Here, you’ll conduct a variety of underwater work that can include inspection, installation, repair and removal of equipment and structures.
- Specialist Diver: As you gain more experience and additional training, you can specialize in different areas – for example, saturation diving (diving at great depths for extended periods), non-destructive testing (NDT), or remotely operated vehicle (ROV) operations.
- Supervisory Roles: Experience and proven competence can lead to roles such as Diving Supervisor or Superintendent. These roles involve overseeing diving operations, ensuring safety compliance, and managing teams of divers.
- Management Roles: Eventually, you may move into operational management, project management or other higher-level roles within the organization. This could include roles like Operations Manager, Project Manager, or even Diving Director.
This is a challenging career path that requires physical fitness, technical skills, and a comfort with working in high-risk, high-pressure environments.
It can be extremely rewarding, with opportunities to work in various locations around the world and in diverse underwater environments.