Working as a Diver??

[Richard10002]

There have been a couple of threads over the past few days where getting a diver in has been mentioned.

One was the lost anchor, and the other where there was a strange noise from the prop.

I recently saved myself the cost of a haul and re-launch by diving to check, and photograph, my anodes, and do a general check of the hull, and subsequently fit a prop shaft anode, (in a fairly swelly sea - also searched and rescued a dropped weight belt in murky water).

I'll be diving again to fit another shaft anode, and the main anode.

Given that I enjoy diving, and got some satisfaction out of having a real purpose for a dive, rather than looking at fish etc., I'm wondering if there is a little "pin money" business in it.

e.g. £25 for a hull check and photos, plus resolving a problem if possible there and then, (e.g. rope around the prop, plastic bag in the intake etc.). £50 to fit a shaft and main hull anode... or whatever.

Not sure what the insurance and qualification implications are to do this properly, but it seems like it could pay for the odd meal and a bit of fuel etc..

BTW I'm a PADI Master Scuba Diver, which doesnt mean that much in itself, but I've done a fair few "hairy" dives, so am reasonably capable, and found the job on Rogue straightforward.

Any input welcomed... even of the Devils' Advocate nature

Cheers

Richard

 

[boatbuilder]

When I last enquired at a Plymouth marina, I was told that they would only sanction a proper HSE dive wich involved 4 divers. Mucho expensivo.

 

[Dave99]

This is true, divers must be commercial and have all the necessary paper work. Commercial Dive insurance is very expensive, hence the reason they have to charge relatively high rates. They do also have to dive in teams of 4.

Most of the reputable marinas do not allowed rogue traders operating illegally or without insurance

 

[Twister_Ken]

Used a diver for a prop untangle on the Hamble. They worked two in the water, one in the boat.

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Hi,

I am commercially qualified - and the other comments are pretty much spot on - though they do assume that you are in the UK (or operating off a UK registered vessel).

Other countries will have their own rules - though many are loosly based on UK regs. Normal minimum team is 4 - though under some circumstances and interpretaions of the rules you can arguably use 3.

Most UK marinas will only let properly qualified teams of divers in - sometimes won't even let you dive under your own boat.

Having said all that - in many less regulated parts of the world - there is a lot of what you descrive - though I suspect they are often breaking their own national regulations - its just that they are rather less enforced.

There is even a fair bit of it in the UK (e.g. amateur divers fetching an anchor / cutting rope off a prop etc) - but they must NOT charge - otherwise HSE will be down on them hard.

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
Given that I enjoy diving, and got some satisfaction out of having a real purpose for a dive, rather than looking at fish etc., I'm wondering if there is a little "pin money" business in it.


[/ QUOTE ]

Looks like that's a no then /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

Kind of guessed as much - thanks for the replies

 

[JasB]

...on the other hand, spread the word in the pub bypassing HSE and Inland Revenue. People might say that is dangerous and illegal, but considering that most of us deplore Nanny State I would be suprised to hear anyone object /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[wooslehunter]

Rumour has it that commercial divers earn a packet. Well the saturation types are pretty well paid the normal scuba types aren't. If you do anything against HSE & take work from the local commercial divers be very careful. There are dodgy operators out there but as already said, it costs a lot to run a commercial operation. If you're seen to take work away from the commercial types, be prepared to find HSE banging on your door and shutting you down.

The moment you take payment even expenses or in kind, you're operating as a commercial diver. We all know that HSE has a lot to answer for recently but not so long ago the dive industry was pretty dodgy and a lot of guys lost their lives. In this case, I'd advise stay away unless you're going to set up properly. For an investment of around a tenner you can get the operating procedures from HSE.

 

[PembrokeshirePromise]

Yes - I'm afraid you are likely to find yourself being shopped to HSE by disgruntalled local professional divers.

I only do it as a side line - and all above board - but even so we can find ourselves getting inspected from time to time due to "anonymous" tip offs

 

[Sailfree]

Fantastic idea!

As I can't get anyone to even look at the washing machine at home for less than £60 per visit I am sure your prices will be attractive!

After you have done the inspection on a boat in say Scotland I am sure the owner will consider it a bargain at £25!

I note your other thread on chartering and sailing courses, you also mention bring retired. We initially chartered our boat using Hamble School of Yachting as the agents. They were slow in paying anything and I quickly realised they were struggling with cash flow however I was pleased I chose HSofY instead of Britainia or Neptune (that I had also considered) when they both went bust. H S of Y also went bust but luckily for me only after I had left them. I think advertising costs make all sailing schools struggle.

With respect to the RYA be aware that they did have an age limit of 65 for instructors and for YM commercial endorsement you have to have a medical and renew it every year after 65. Under new legislation I think they cannot refuse a instructor application on age alone but with a 50% failure rate anyway I don't think they will be encouraging them that much.

 

[Richard10002]

The plan is/was to offer the service to boats in whichever area we happen to be. Quite happy to earn £25 for an afternoon sail to a quiet anchorage and doing a bit of scuba.

On chartering, I hope to make it work with some word of mouth, a web site and whatever. Agents seem to want 40% of the fee and, in Lagos, they only expect to get business between June and September.

I'm only 47!!! Semi retired really, and need something to do for the next 20 years!!

 

[ean_p]

I think that such work will just find you!....as an example i was asked to have a look at the shaft of a power boat that had just arrived at Hull Marina, this by the lock keeper as he knew I did scuba and the guy had just arrived with a vibration that had just started as he came up river....it was all meant to be informal and as a favour...no money mentioned.....as I was kitting up on the pontoon a guy in the boat opposite offered me 50 squids to fit a prop....he'd got a liftout booked for the following day that would cost him much much more...as it turned out i turned it down not really wanting to get involved , much the same as I turned down bung from the power boat owner, there but for the grace of God and all that , though if I needed the money or was inclined I could easily have walked away with 100 squids for a couple of hours easy work....as your thinking out on a cruise that would be a nice pleasent way to earn some beer tokens for little effort and involvement. I'd just go about and keep and open mind to it all

 

[FAITIRA]

I did a good bit, discretly in the Caribb with no bother, discretion being the key!