The UK P&I Club presents an episode of the ‘Inside Ship’ video series, focusing on the risks and safety measures associated with underwater diving in shipping.
Underwater diving plays a vital role in the shipping industry, supporting essential maintenance, repair, and inspection activities that keep vessels operational without the need for extended downtime in dry dock. This approach can deliver significant cost savings; however, it carries inherent risks that require careful management. In many cases, comprehensive inspections of underwater sea valves and related components are conducted during dry docking.
Yet, unexpected failures or leaks during a voyage may demand urgent underwater intervention. Divers are then deployed to temporarily blank the hull or sea chest openings, enabling the crew to carry out repairs. While such operations are valuable for maintaining vessel performance, inadequate planning or safety procedures can put divers’ lives in danger and risk severe vessel damage, including flooding and harm to critical machinery. According to a report by UK P&I Club, raising awareness of these risks and implementing strict safety measures are essential for safeguarding both divers and ships.
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Source: UK P&I
