Commercial dive team for inspection and repair

Port and marina owners, municipalities, water and utility companies, industrial plants, engineers and general contractors who subcontract dive work.

Day rates or fixed prices per job for the crew and equipment, plus reporting and mobilization charges. Many jobs come repeatedly from the same clients on inspection cycles.

• Commercial diving training and experience
• Safety planning and supervision
• Clear inspection reports and photos
• Bidding and project organizing

• OSHA commercial diving rules set crew size, equipment and procedure requirements, so check what applies to your jobs
• Work in navigable waters may need permits, such as from the Army Corps of Engineers or the Coast Guard, check per job
• Contracts often require high insurance limits, workers' compensation and sometimes marine coverage such as Longshore or Jones Act, ask a broker
• Public jobs may require state contractor registration, bonding or prevailing wage compliance, check with the agency
• Equipment, such as surface-supplied gear and a work boat, is costly and needs regular testing and maintenance
• Diving is high risk and work can be seasonal or irregular

Startup costs are typically around $20,000 to $100,000, depending on your surface-supplied gear, work boat, crew size and insurance. Equipment needs regular testing and maintenance. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own setup.

Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on the jobs you win, your crew size and how steady the work is. The idea assumes at least 25 hours a week. These are estimates, and revenue is not profit.

Check which OSHA commercial diving rules apply to your jobs, including crew size and procedures. Check permits for work in navigable waters, such as from the Army Corps of Engineers or Coast Guard. Ask a broker about insurance limits, workers' compensation and marine coverage, and check public job requirements like bonding.