Do you love the ocean? Can you imagine it being your office? There are many jobs that allow you to work underwater; recreational and commercial however, some more dangerous then others. The list is very long and most jobs are some you would never think of, here are a few to get you thinking of the endless possibilities!
Recreational diving instructor or divemaster
I my point of view, its one of the best jobs in the world. You can travel and get paid to do your passion; dive. Yes there is a lot of work and responsibility and the pay isn’t the best, but this is a job you do for the lifestyle, not money. By day your blowing bubbles, or teaching others to blow bubbles and by night your enjoying a nice chilled beer with your divers. Being an instructor also allows your to travel the world; there are divers in most countries from tropical waters to ice diving, someone needs to be there to teach or guide. You can follow the seasons and live around the world (like me!) or you can stay and enjoy a bit more time off and explore land during the low season! As an instructor, you get to meet people from all over the world, hear diving and travel stories from every continent and create real relationships that could last a life time.
Videographer
Yes, people do get paid to take photo’s and movies underwater!! Depending on your dream, you could knock yourself out with a job with national geographic or other big names, or you can film Joe Bloggs on his first underwater adventure; in the recreational world.
Pearl Diver
The pearl divers job is incredibly dangerous, but many say its worth the money. Its where divers breathe through a hose and have one hand holding onto a rope attached to a moving boat, which pulls them through the water very fast, collectting peal shells along the way. Its and incredibly tough and physically demanding job as many do up to 8 dives a day.
Underwater Welder
This is a way to earn big bucks working on the oil rigs, while still being underwater. It is the complete opposite job to a dive instructor, as you very rarely see the underwater wildlife, however there are many advantages to this job, including the pay rates.
Navy or Clearance Diver
As a male only job, working for the Navy, these are specialist divers on missions to depths of 54 metres, surface and underwater demolitions, and the rendering safe and disposal of conventional explosive artillery and improvised explosive devices.
Navy Diver
Abalone Diver
They say the reward is high, but the risk is great, the season is short and sweet. This is because of the conditions the divers are in where divers spend 6-8 hours a day underwater, hauling up to 1000 abalone, mainly in the great white shark territories.
Reseach diver
There are many companies and governments that hire experienced divers to do research in many areas. There is increasing world wide recognition for the need to increase protection and management of of underwater resources. Careers are available with National Marine Sanctuary Programs, National Parks Service, Government and various State agencies, and non government organizations.
Marine Biologist
The underwater world is your oyster. There are many ways to specialise in marine biology depending on your interests.
There are thousands more ways to work underwater, these are only a few, that i find more common and popular.
Kelissa Brockett 