Comments on: Diver down...and out, with your help

Question: Diver down...and out, with your help

atchafalaya — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 14:04:05 -0800

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...

By: sergeant sandwich

sergeant sandwich — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 14:16:36 -0800

marine biology? biochem link?

By: Rubber Soul

Rubber Soul — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 14:38:27 -0800

Become a guide for recreational divers?

By: hypnotoad

hypnotoad — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 15:10:46 -0800

Diving instructor? Looks like you got the academic chops and the leadership aspects under your belt.

By: frogan

frogan — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 17:46:17 -0800

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.

By: scarabic

scarabic — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 19:12:28 -0800

Sorry, dumb question here, but what is a 'diver tender,' exactly?

By: furtive

furtive — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 19:16:00 -0800

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?

By: paulsc

paulsc — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 21:42:13 -0800

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?

By: atchafalaya

atchafalaya — Wed, 02 Aug 2006 22:19:23 -0800

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!