Underwater welding or wet welding is the process of welding underwater at advanced pressures. This specialized type of hyperbaric welding has been practiced since 1936 for the repair of ships and bridges. The increase in offshore platforms and pipelines has made wet welding a highly sought after skill and one that can pay over $100 per hour depending on the depth of the water. Meeting the requirements to be a wet welder takes study through schools that prepare you for scuba diving and welding. The development of respected hyperbaric welding has increased dramatically since 1996 when welding courses became structured around the AWS D3.6 Specification for Under water Welding of 1983.
Schools for Diving
Becoming a Certified Diver through a commercial diving academy is the first step toward learning how to handle oneself in the world of water and earning an underwater welding salary. Pressurized environments, equipment and safety are taught while practicing different maneuvers until one or more certifications are reached. There are different diving certifications offered by organizations such as the Association of Commercial Diving Educators (ACDE) or the National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI).
Whether you are a beginner, intermediate or skilled student, the ultimate goal is to receive your certification and diving card. A diving card proves that you have successfully completed the required courses and are a certified diver. These cards have to be renewed either every 6 months or once a year and after passing a complete physical. After earning your diving certification, you can begin to consider the type of under water welding course you would like to take according to your field of interest.
Underwater Welding Schools
Some academies offer full packages of diving certification and welding courses at the same site. Living around the water day in and day out is a great way to familiarize oneself with the different atmosphere that water has. There are many parts to American welding underwater that have to be studied, practiced and perfected in order to earn a certification from a specific organization. Some of these include the American Petroleum Institute (API), the American Welding Society (AWS) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
If this sounds like intense study, it is. However, this is just the start toward a dedicated career that is very different from any other course of study. In addition to working toward certifications, courses like diving physics, decompression, emergency management procedures, diving legislation, diving communications, rigging underwater inspections and underwater explosives are a few of the areas where one can gain an expert advantage in searching for underwater welding jobs. There are also different classifications of divers, A, B, and C depending on the qualification of skill with class A being the most proficient and highest paid.
Dry and Wet Welding
In welding beneath the water, there are two basic types of systems used. Hyperbaric or dry welding is when the worker is sealed in a chamber while performing the task. This may sound far safer than wet welding, which is the second type of underwater welding but is actually riskier. Electric shock is more prevalent in dry welding and gases must be closely monitored. The welding habitats also have to be very well monitored and are very complex. The combination of gases, increased pressure and oxygen can also cause a welder to become lightheaded and queasy. But more than these danger signs, a single job of dry welding can cost close to 1 million dollars and leaves the equipment unsustainable for other jobs.
Employers prefer wet welding as opposed to dry welding because of the costs. While it can be more difficult for workers to have the same visibility as those confined in a chamber, the benefits outweigh the price. Workers can move about more freely and the speed is also an asset. Wet welding is far more used by companies but the skill that needs to be honed is imperative. Hydrogen embrittlement is a major problem in wet welding because of the large amount of hydrogen that is present. Cracks and fissures can result even when extreme care is taken.
Welding Jobs Underwater
It can be exciting to land that first wet welding job but there is still much to learn. Many companies have their own set of requirements and certifications that have to be met before starting the hyperbaric welding job. By having your skills honed to perfection, you stand a very good chance of becoming very valuable and grossing a salary of $100,000 per year or more. The navy is a wonderful place to learn the basics of both scuba diving and being able to attend welding classes. After completion, working on ships and platforms under the sea can be exciting, and you can start earning a huge hyperbaric welding salary.
Petroleum companies have oilrigs in both shallow and deep waters. There are also pipelines that run across vast parts of the ocean that are always in need of repair. Construction companies that build bridges across water need maintenance performed by under water welders in order to keep the beams strong and secure. Windmills have started popping up along coastal regions and even positioned deep in offshore waters. All of these situations rely on underwater welders to perform maintenance work for a guaranteed future.
There is underwater welding information regarding opportunities all over the world. Several different job links can match your skills with companies in the UK, Australia, Africa and the Gulf of Thailand just to name a few. If you have ever wanted adventure, travel and the ability to make good money, becoming a wet welder can be a dream come true. Find your favorite spot and expand on your welding capabilities by becoming an instructor, supervisor or engineer when you find a company that is right for you. The expansion is great and one that can only grow in the coming years.