Civil Engineering and Diving

[rhwestfall]

This has been an interesting read. I'm a Civil Engineer, and licensed, working in the engineering field for 24+ years (and a diver for >28 years)........ I've dove for work related items a quantity of times that can be counted on one hand......

Now, if you can find a company specifically doing diving (Oceaneering was one I came across years back), you might get the two to mix well. Keep in mind, you are looking at a significant amount of time in school for an engineering degree (5 years for a BS, and a Master's Degree is now highly desired), Commercial Diving School, and then 3-5 years minimum of significantly progressive involvement to obtain a Professional Engineering License.

You will serve an "apprenticeship" in either situation for quite some time as you start at the bottom of the list......

 

[muddiver]

Ok, for all the uninformed out there, there are a number of firms around the country (Collins Engineers, Moffit Nichols, etc) that employ structural engineers that dive. The US Navy and a number of government agencies that own wharfs, pairs and bridges require their structures be inspected by engineers, not just divers. I did work for one outfit that had engineers mixed with technicians, but I think it was because they just need the extra bodies. The techs get laid off after the job is done and the engineers go back to the office until the next job. Engineering Tchnicians are typically just AutoCAD jockeys or work in manufacturing. It may help you get an interview for a job, but an Associates degree probably won't keep you on an inspection dive team unless they need a shop tech to maintain the gear. That requires a tech cert from Kirby Morgan, not an AS degree. Cost a lot less.

 

[Nettie-NZ]

Thanks Muddiver - great to get the US perspective. I guess in the US there is enough baseload of work to have specialised structural engineers who dive. Wish that was the case where I am!

 

[peta510]

Ok, for all the uninformed out there, there are a number of firms around the country (Collins Engineers, Moffit Nichols, etc) that employ structural engineers that dive. The US Navy and a number of government agencies that own wharfs, pairs and bridges require their structures be inspected by engineers, not just divers. I did work for one outfit that had engineers mixed with technicians, but I think it was because they just need the extra bodies. The techs get laid off after the job is done and the engineers go back to the office until the next job. Engineering Tchnicians are typically just AutoCAD jockeys or work in manufacturing. It may help you get an interview for a job, but an Associates degree probably won't keep you on an inspection dive team unless they need a shop tech to maintain the gear. That requires a tech cert from Kirby Morgan, not an AS degree. Cost a lot less.

What company did you work for? Interesting opinions you're putting out. Engineers need to be onsite yes, but I rarely ever see the actual diving being done by a PE diver unless required in the contract. Usually the PE is topside taking notes. Most of the inspection diving work is done by engineering technicians and I rarely ever see any of them on AutoCAD or MicroStation doing drafting work or even report writing for that matter. In some states you can sit for your PE if you have your associates and have worked under one for long enough. Techs don't get laid off either. Please when you form opinions and assumptions make sure that you state that so the rest of the divers looking to go commercial and get into the inspection diving field aren't scared off.

 

[ofg-1]

Being an engineer comes in handy when you a) get bent 3 or 4 times, b) fail your back physical, c)blow out your knees, or d) just get old.

 

[Nettie-NZ]

Nice! Or I guess when you just start enjoying the cold beer more than the cold water ;-P

 

[muddiver]

What company did you work for? Interesting opinions you're putting out. Engineers need to be onsite yes, but I rarely ever see the actual diving being done by a PE diver unless required in the contract. Usually the PE is topside taking notes. Most of the inspection diving work is done by engineering technicians and I rarely ever see any of them on AutoCAD or MicroStation doing drafting work or even report writing for that matter. In some states you can sit for your PE if you have your associates and have worked under one for long enough. Techs don't get laid off either. Please when you form opinions and assumptions make sure that you state that so the rest of the divers looking to go commercial and get into the inspection diving field aren't scared off.

I was diving for Hon-Padron before they got bought out by Halcrow. In San Deago there was another company that was bought out by Moffit-Nichols. The job I was on had two professional engineers and two commercial divers diving the wharf in Long Beach. The engineers were in dry suits and in the water, not sitting around drinking coffee and taking notes. So plumb yourself up before you start accusing other people of just stating opinions. They continued up North to the San Francisco Bay bridge job and continued to dive engineers.

I don't know about Connecticut, but in other coastal states like thee Gulf of Mexico, Florida and California, divers are a dime-a-dozen. Companies hire them as labor for a job and lay them off afterword to keep company costs down. I use the title "Tech" because that is what commercial divers working in the engineering field are considered on the West coast.

And yes, if some PE signs off for you that you have the experience, six years with no degree, you can sit for the national PE exam. Except in California because the state board added that one must have a four year degree in engineering now.