Diver down...and out, with your help

August 2, 2006 2:04 PM

I'm back at a job I loved, loathed and left fifteen years ago. What next?

I was a diver tender 15 years ago. Now I'm back. The work is better, but it's still got some drawbacks. During my absence I got a degree in chemistry, and became an infantry officer in the reserves.

I like the diving and the money, but safety and longevity are an issue. Where can I take this? What's a logical jump to something that still involves diving, but is more scientific or at least safer? Throw me a line...

posted by atchafalaya to work & money (8 comments total)

marine biology? biochem link?
posted by sergeant sandwich at 2:16 PM on August 2, 2006

Become a guide for recreational divers?
posted by Rubber Soul at 2:38 PM on August 2, 2006

Diving instructor? Looks like you got the academic chops and the leadership aspects under your belt.
posted by hypnotoad at 3:10 PM on August 2, 2006

I used to work at this office right next to the Newport Beach waterfront, and I'd see these two divers head out in a skiff every morning. They had a business cleaning and maintaining yachts. It didn't look terribly difficult. I used to think that whoever owns that business is either a) rolling in money or b) just scraping by.

They could be rolling in money because their clientele is very upscale, unwilling to do the work themselves and the overhead is very low (really, a boat, a boat slip, standard dive gear and tools). Or, they could be scraping by because it's considered low-end work.

So, my suggestion is ... see if there's a way to turn your skills, experience and ambition into starting your own dive-related business where you are your own boss, and you're calling the shots.
posted by frogan at 5:46 PM on August 2, 2006

Sorry, dumb question here, but what is a 'diver tender,' exactly?
posted by scarabic at 7:12 PM on August 2, 2006

Underwater welder? Big money on the big rigs. Save it up (you won't have anywhere to spend it anyways) and then retire to some place nice?
posted by furtive at 7:16 PM on August 2, 2006

Recreational SCUBA diver here.

In my experience, professional divers, especially hard hat guys, look at the ocean as an office, where business gets done, that requires them to dive. But diving isn't the goal, the "saltwater office" isn't the goal, it's the business that they're there for that gets their attention. So be it.

Your choices are to:

1) Get some business of your own down there, and keep diving to do it, or
2) Make diving your business. Becoming a recreational dive charter operator, or a recreational dive master (if you like getting wet for money), or getting involved with people doing oceanography or ocean science journalism all seem promising.

You blog about about the beauty of the Louisiana water environment. Why not extend those sensibilities into other career avenues?
posted by paulsc at 9:42 PM on August 2, 2006

Thank you for all the great advice. I probably should have been more clear. I am hardhat diving in the Gulf of Mexico.

I'm especially intrigued by the idea of ocean science journalism. Thanks very much, paulsc.

Please don't stop!
posted by atchafalaya at 10:19 PM on August 2, 2006