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Up Date: Divers Association
While the SLOW process of getting the Divers Association on a strong legal footing goes on, divers from the following countries have expressed Interest: South Africa, Thailand, Canada, Spain, Brunei, Malaysia, Kiribati, Qatar, Sudan, Singapore, Kuwait, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Indonesia, France, Israel, Peru, Turkey, Taiwan.
Updates will be posted here, Commercial Diving Directory www.longstreath.com/community/index.php? and the new Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Divers-Association/292845044110045 and Offshore Diver http://offshorediver.com/content/
If you know any divers/tenders, supervisors, sat tech or LSS/LSTs, former or current Military Divers let them know.
I will just tell all, what my dear old Dad, rest his soul, would tell me when I got impatient: PATIENTS JACKASS! It is the punch line from a joke he told me as a kid. I don’t remember the joke but the punch line is good advice!!- Read more...
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Latest Entry
So you wanna be an ALST?
I like many others thought I could do that! So having been made redundant I looked into starting a career as an Assistant life Support Technician.
1st I went on the internet and looked up as much as I could, did some research, looked up the names of the companies that could provide the training and thought to myself, this sounds like a wise career move. Now the training schools don’t promise you a job but they do give you the feeling there is lots of work around.
So I decide to ring the training providers, I found 3, some were cheaper than others and the more expensive ones gave me reasons on why I should choose them. They had all the patter, how they’re training would make the difference between getting a job or not. Some said they would provide a list of contact information and the use of their onsite job search equipment. By now I’m thinking this all sounds great, its just a matter of who shall I pick to do my training and when.
I opted to pay a bit more and get the course done straight away as the other courses were cheaper but they were months away and because I was told there would be more chance of being employed earlier in the year.
Off to bonny Scotland I go…
So I arrive for my 2 week course, everything looks very professional, very busy, lots of students buzzing around everywhere all with nice boiler suits and logos on the back and key cards round their necks. I’ll skip the boring bit…
There are only 6 of us on the course, and everyone seems nice. Like myself nobody else has any previous offshore experience, 2 have previous air diving experience and the others nothing relevant.
The classrooms are basic but very clean, the tutors very polite with what seems to be a long and established career. You get breaks every few hours with tea/coffee provided.
Over the week there is a fair amount of stuff to take in, everyone seemed to struggle with the maths. There was homework most nights and small mini tests most mornings. Some people chose to go out on nights, I stayed in to study. Don’t get me wrong if it wasn’t me paying for the course I’d have been out getting drunk but for me I was going to get this right.
At the end of the course I passed my exam and was over the moon, got my certificate logbook and T-shirt and drove home ready to do my offshore survival course. I had already done my medicals, as I didn’t want to do the course and then fail a medical.
I fast-forward 2 weeks… Survival is now done, I have everything I think I need to get my job as an ALST.
I contact as many companies as I can using my friends who are divers for contacts, everyone says they will add your CV to their list. Great, everything done, let’s pest the offices every now and again and can’t be long before they get back to me with a job. After all how many other people out there could possible know about the role of an ALST?
[b]Conclusion:[/b]
So its now 4 months later…
I have spoken to every man and his dog, I’ve been on every forum in the world, spoken to dozens of LST/LSS’s, people in HR, project managers, personnel managers… You name it, I’ve spoken to them.
I still don’t have work, I’m on good 1st name terms with the companies but that job offer still has not arrived.
What do I say about anyone wanting a job as an ALST?
Do your homework, don’t believe what the schools tell you, all they want is your money. Don’t ring the dive schools asking what works like, [u]ring the companies that will be employing you[/u]. Ask them what the prospects are of getting a job! I now know there are thousands of CV’s registered on databases of people with the certificate that says they have completed their courses. Think of it this way, there are only so many dive boats out there, each boat say 4 ALST's? (including back to back's). I'm no whizz at maths but I know thats not many when you consider how many people are already doing the job and how many are waiting.
Seriously if you don’t have a contact very high up working for one of the big contractors then your chances of being employed are very slim, even if you are persistent (like me).
If you are thinking about going down this route I wish you the very best of luck, just don’t hold your breath. Most people that get all the certificates end up with a shoddy bit of paper they will never need and a very expensive t-shirt.
Happy hunting,
Fabz
For those that are wondering, I’m not giving up... I will never give up, its what I want to do, and I’m to stubborn to turn back
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Default Retirement Age
The government has just published regulations abolishing the default retirement age (DRA) from 6 April 2011.
This means that employers can only issue notices of compulsory retirement to employees before 6 April this year if:
- their retirement date is on or before 30 September
- and they follow the “duty to consider” procedure for considering the employee’s right to request to work post-DRA.
Employers cannot, therefore, issue notifications of retirement relying on the DRA after 5 April 2011 if the intended date of retirement is on or after 1 October.
That also means that from 1 October 2011, retirement will no longer be a potentially fair reason for dismissal under the Employment Rights Act 1996.
Employees issued with a notice to retire after that date can therefore bring a claim of unfair dismissal and age discrimination. To defend the claim, the employer would have to show that it was a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.
If you have worked for a UK contractor for more than 1 year on a regular basis and you think you have been laid off permanently due to your age, seek redress through your union to fight your case even if you are day rate as you are an employee for unfair dismissal, see http://ukdivingbrotherhood.wordpress.com/2008/06/19/unfair-dismissal for previous case law - 7
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KFD Prize Raffle!
[size="6"][b]KFD[/b] are contributing to a prize raffle to help pay for site improvements.[/size]
To enter the raffle, you will need to make a US$ 15 donation to this site. All donations will be tracked and three random emails will be picked for the prizes.
The draw will be made [b]just before Christmas[/b].
All donations will go to the upkeep and improvements of this site.
[size="5"][u][b]1st prize[/b][/u][/size]
[list]
[*][url="http://www.kfd.com.au/shop/item/divers-tool-kit-b"]Divers Toolkit 'B'[/url]
[*][url="http://www.kfd.com.au/shop/item/divers-led-torch-frogman--neon"]Divers LED Torch[/url]
[*][url="http://www.kfd.com.au/shop/item/mini-retractor"]Divers Mini Retractor[/url]
[/list]
[img]http://www.kfd.com.au/auto/thumbnail/persistent/catalogue_images/products/diverstoolkit3.jpg?maxwidth=200;maxheight=200;pcolor=ffffff;type=jpeg;style=padded[/img][img]http://www.kfd.com.au/auto/thumbnail/persistent/catalogue_images/products/img_0140.jpg?maxwidth=200;maxheight=200;pcolor=ffffff;type=jpeg;style=padded[/img][img]http://www.kfd.com.au/auto/thumbnail/persistent/catalogue_images/products/ar-23cminiretractor.jpg?maxwidth=200;maxheight=200;pcolor=ffffff;type=jpeg;style=padded[/img]
[size="5"][u][b]2nd prize[/b][/u][/size]
[list]
[*][url="http://www.kfd.com.au/shop/item/divers-tool-kit-a"]Divers Toolkit 'A'[/url]
[/list]
[img]http://www.kfd.com.au/auto/thumbnail/persistent/catalogue_images/products/diverstoolkita.jpg?maxwidth=200;maxheight=200;pcolor=ffffff;type=jpeg;style=padded[/img]
[size="5"][u][b]3rd prize[/b][/u][/size]
[list]
[*][url="http://www.kfd.com.au/shop/item/17cm-victory-green-river-knife-with-custom-made-sheath"]17cm Green River with Sheath[/url]
[/list]
[img]http://www.kfd.com.au/auto/thumbnail/persistent/catalogue_images/products/img_0157.jpg?maxwidth=200;maxheight=200;pcolor=ffffff;type=jpeg;style=padded[/img] - 10
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Latest Entry
Horsburgh Challenge 2011
Got off the flight from Perth at 10:00pm last Friday night and went home for a shower and a few hours sleep.
Up at 3:30am and drove over to the SAF Yacht Club to clear immigration out and jumped onboard my mate Kiwi Keith's keelboat "Bella Rossa" and prepared for the race. The Horsburgh challenge did prove to be a challenge. We finished the race out to the 2 mile marker from the aptly named lighthouse and back in 10 1/2 hours. Here's some photos. -
When in and around the water it is important to ensure that your safety is the number one priority. KFD Group stocks high quality equipment that helps to make the lives of their customers easier and to assist in prioritizing their safety. KFD Group became an online business over 10 years ago in 2000 and is owned and operated by Kevin Duck whom boasts of over 30 years of offshore oil and gas experience. Over these 30 years Kevin has had experience in a variety of jobs such as a Commercial Diver, Leading hand Rigger, Diving Consultant and Client Representative and now is paving the path to add Saturation Diving Supervisor to his repertoire by accumulating his hours as a Trainee Saturation Supervisor.
KFD Group stocks high quality products that cater for every diving need, specializing in commercial diving equipment for diving companies and any personal gear that a commercial diver requires. Whether you are a Sports diver, Fisherman or Surfer with the eco-friendly Shark Shield shark deterrent you can ensure that your endeavours’ on, in and around the water will be safe and enjoyable.
The Diver’s Underwater Tool Bags is unique and limited to KFD Group being the original creators of the unique product. The Bag is designed to withstand the tough conditions that are associated with the offshore diving industry, intended to hold a wide range of your diving gear. The Tool Bag’s two designs have been specifically created to be utilised by professional divers and have been sought worldwide as an essential addition for all divers. Many amateur suppliers have tried to imitate the Underwater Tool Bag with little success as they do not have the advantage of years of work that has guaranteed the perfected manufacturing process.
The Victory Green River Dive Knives, known unofficially in the offshore diving and rigging industry as the Green River is a major product that is sold in KFD Group which has such popularity because of the incredibly sharp serrated blade. The Victory [url="http://www.kfd.com.au/shop/item/safety-knife-with-sheath-9cm"]Offshore Safety Knife is the innovative creation of KFD Group[/url] and was patented in 2000. KFD Group was the first on line supplier of the Victory Green River Diving Knives, they have grown to become the largest supplier and wholesaler of the popular offshore knives also being the only online store that shows all varieties of offshore knives. These knives presented on KFD’s website have been essential in Kevin Duck’s offshore experiences which went towards the creation of the Safety Offshore Knife.
Many other products are available from KFD Group; Diver’s watches, Diver’s /Supervisor’s Logbook’s, KFD’s Gasket Loader, Underwater Safety Torches, Compasses, Carabina’s, Diver’s Tool Kits and Diver’s Gloves.
KFD Group is an essential supplier for anybody who is involved in the Offshore Diving and Rigging construction Industry while also catering for the amateur divers, fishermen and surfers. The products that appear in the catalogue have been tried and tested by essentially everybody in the abovementioned categories so it is ensured that each product is essential in preserving the safety of each individual that involves themselves in any aquatic adventures.
[url="http://www.kfd.com.au/app/shop"]Some of our products[/url]
Our own Patent Pending KFD Gasket Loader
[url="http://www.kfd.com.au/shop/category/1257"]Victory Green River Diving Knives & Accessories[/url]
[url="http://www.kfd.com.au/shop/category/1263"]Underwater Tool Bags[/url]
Diver’s Log Books & Supervisor’s Log Books
Stainless Steel Carabina’s
NEW Super Sabelite Flashlight – Watertight to 150m
Knife Sharpeners
Shark Shields – Electronic Shark Repellent
http://www.kfd.com.au -
Latest Entry
DMT - Diver Medical Technician course
30th January 2012 New start for the New Year
Code Blue Education in London will be running their very first Diver Medical Technician course under the
the IMCA accreditation scheme. I am very excited that this course has also been given the approval of DAN Europe.
With offshore diving there is a requirement that one member of a dive team who is not diving, other than the supervisor, should be trained in advanced first aid as a diver medic. The DMT course is designed under the IMCA accreditation scheme to meet this need.
The DMT is one of the most important members of the Dive Team as he or she has the responsibility of ensuring they are able to deal with almost any dive accident or incident that may occur while at work.
The DMT may not only be the first responder but also provide the neccessary treatment for that injury or illness to a advanced level.
The course sylbus ranges from the following:
Primary and Secondary Survey
The Respiratory system
Basic Life Support, CPR and the recovery position
The circulatory system
Wounds and bleeding
The musculo-skeletal system
Fractures, sprains and muscle trauma
The Nervous System
Immobilisation (Splinting, neck collars and the spine board)
Drowning
Advanced Airway Managment
Pleural Drains
Needle Decompression for pneumothorax
Oxygen Administration
Use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs)
Decompression Sickness
Lung Injuries
Underwater blast injuries
Setting up intravenous infusions
Suturing
Dental problems
Dangerous marine life
Just to name a few of the subjects and not for the fainthearted, Bladder catheterisation.
The course is taught over a period of 10 days which includes the theory and practical aspects of the DMT.
The course is a huge benefit to all Divers from commercial to recreational backgrounds.
If you are interested in the course please feel free to click on the following links.
[url="http://www.divermedicaltechnician.co.uk"]My link[/url]
[url="http://www.divermedicaltechnician.co.uk/index.php?p=1_17_Commercial..."]My link[/url]
If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to contact me at [email="cnewman@daneurope.org"]Email me[/email]- Read more...
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Latest Entry
From: Job Scams
Gents don't know if anyone else has seen this so just a heads up. I have a history of working in W Africa but was fooled by this at first. I recieved a job offer from a majore oil company offering a two year contract> It looked good letter head matched contract looked good. Next day they were asking for Visa money...not a good sign. Total scam. I passed it on the oil company and Emassy of Record.
Roger Palmer
Source: [url=http://www.longstreath.com/community/index.php/topic/3912-job-scams/page__view__findpost__p__20933]Job Scams[/url] -
Latest Entry
rate / pay cuts in the gulf of mexico
[b]Epic divers and marine[/b] has cut beginner saturation rates from 750 and day to 450 a day, and has also lowered its entry level wages for tenders from 16 and hour to 14 an hour, but surely havent cut there rates for clients. This is pretty sad these wages are only obtained by being offshore in which the company is making the same amount of money but they believe since it is so slow in the industry that they can lower the pay standards of the diving industry. These problems are also partly to blame on the younger generation and or inexperianced workers we bring into this industry that will do the same job for less everytime one of us settles for less we are cutting our own throughts.
this was not the first straw companies cut safety, incentive, and retierment programs across the board everyone was upset but when the phone rings everyone is eager to go to work at some point the risk will not be worth the reward and hopefully employees will stand together agaist these type of disrespectfull cuts no diving personnel in the GOM available and able to work the entire year should be making under $60,000.00 a year[size="6"][/size][size="5"][/size][b][/b] -
Latest Entry
Fish Farm Jobs?
Does anyone know of any Fish Farms that might be hiring divers ?
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Latest Entry
Awards or Salaries since 1990
I am an injured commercial diver in 1980's. I am researching any information on knowledge for the wages/salaries/agreements for offshore divers & sat divers from 1990 to 2002. Can anyone assist in suggesting where to locate this information. The Maritime Union Australia have been great help but only as far back as 2002. Much appreciated.
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Latest Entry
Looking for work
Hello out there, Currently I'm in england and have been looking for work for some time now. Does any one know of any openings, anywhere? I have four years experience in the caribbean and I just need to get my foot in the door up here. Thanks
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George Lock
I am deeply sadden with news.. even sadder that I didnt hear it from any of my ex-colleagues.
Blue-eyed George, has turned my eyes blue tonight. You were never forgotten my dear friend, I was waiting for your comeback but the Lord loves you even more than us.
Back in Hallin, we have 3 OCM whom I worked very closely with. Each individual has their own character, strength and weakeness (annoyance to be exact). However, George is the all-time favourite OCM among the girls. Sorry C&C, that's the spoken truth!
I didn't expect my first encounter with George was my last and his too. It was my first hands-on mobilisation with the American boys, Wild Well Control. Having it planned from scratch to end together with Jason Holvey... Bet you didnt even know this Mark. A 4days, 24-hrs mobilisation was well planned and executed. Even though George and I have liaise, gossips, jokes ard thru chains of emails, it was my first time having to meet him in person onboard Windermere. And he treats me like no stranger onboard; like we've known each other for ages. His good looks also explains pretty well, why the girls are gigi-gaga over him...
With me he often talks abt his family, and i giggled hard when I learned his email address was a join name of his and his wife Christine. Uber sweet!
George is charismatic, charming and most importantly, displayed an impeccable leadership skills. On the last day of the mob, I was still onboard cross checking all the purchase items had been delivered. Thanks to Divex, I had to spend a night onboard as they deliver the most critical item at midnite! (I was alittle panicky as she's due to sail at break of dawn!)
When I see with my own eyes, from AB upwards shows alot of respect to him onboard, I knew I was in safe hands. I remember he called on everyone to help out with the caters. I remember the exact words "Everyone onboard is going to eat so everyone down to help with food stock!" Everyone came down and did the human chain passing boxes until 2am! It was first of everything for me, being onboard a DP vessel, working with people across globes whom I never met before and being the only girl! It was a valueable experience of which I am so thankful to the whole team, my Project Director, Manager and OCM for giving this experience. When my baby (Windermere) sails for Balikpapan at 0800hrs, I felt left behind. And there is when I realised that I am in the right industry and I love my job and I wanted to go offshore and work with great people like George and Jason.
Months later, my hope came true. I went offshore working in Balikpapan, the same spot where he left. First thing when I look at the platform, I remembered George and I told Rockstar Ed (the OCM who covers him then) and exact words were "this is where they work the last time and I wish George is here with me coaching!" I sure missed him,
Not many people/colleagues knows people like myself who works behind the scenes in the shadows of great actors. The actors themselve too dont realise what impact they leave behind for us...
To me, its a short stint with big impact!
In Loving Memories.George Lock. RIP my friend. - 2
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Latest Entry
ANY ADVICE ON HOW TO BECOME A COMMERCIAL DIVER?
I am just coming out of HM Forces after 24 years and i'm looking for a new exciting career that is active. I don't know any commercial divers and have no experience in commercial diving although i have dived before. I have got the option to train at the Fort william school. I am very determined and robust but don't want to spend a lot of money and then not be able to find work?
I have read other posts saying "don't listen to the dive schools" so hopefully I can get some great advice from this blog no matter how truthful it might be. I was thinking of possibly doing NDT courses also?
Any help will be very appreciated.
Cheers,
Greg. -
[img]http://www.diversgifts.com/shopimages/products/normal/IMGP0004.jpg[/img]
[font="Arial"][size="3"][size="4"][size="5"][b]'Diving Helmets and Equipment through the Ages'[/b][/size]
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By Anthony Pardoe
A two volume Book Set presented in a protective slip case, containing photos and information on many of the world’s most well known makers diving equipment including: Siebe Gorman, Morse, DESCO, Heinke, Galiazzi, SALVAS, Draeger, Piel, Petit, IAC, Schrader, Flohr, Clouth and many, many more.
This high quality coffee table style publication is in 2 volumes:
[u][b]Volume 1[/b][/u] - Explores Tony’s World of Diving Helmets is copiously illustrated with well over 650 colour photographs plus drawings and black and white illustrations in some 240 pages. Each helmet has a description with technical details where known, though as some of the items are over 100 years old this information has been lost as the producers have ceased trading many years ago. Featuring around 150 helmets the book will provide the reader with many hours of pleasure as well as being an invaluable source of reference for the newly interested and avid collector alike.
[u][b]Volume 2[/b][/u] - Illustrates Tony’s equipment collection in over 220 pages and has chapters on Pumps, Diver’s Control Panels , Telephones, Lamps, Knives, Tee Spanners , Cuff expanders, Diver’s weights, Boots, Suits and Ancillary Equipment. There is even a chapter on Pictures, Plaques, Diver’s smoking pipes and other Diving Collectable pieces. There are items included which have rarely ever been seen and the book illustrates equipment the reader may never have even known existed. Again with literally hundreds of colour photos the Equipment Volume is the most comprehensive ‟catalogue‟ of old diving equipment available today.
Each Volume is 285 mm X 285 mm and have a combined weight of 4.5 Kilos.
The paper is a high quality satin finish and bound so the pages fall naturally.
There is even a useful magnifier/ruler/bookmark included.
More images available here: http://s1285.photobucket.com/albums/a591/Paul_Guiver/Diving%20Helmets%20And%20Equipment%20Through%20The%20Ages/?albumview=slideshow
The price is fixed at £299. [u]You will not find this book anywhere else for less[/u] so save your time, order your copy now and as a bonus; [b]claim 10% off your next order[/b]* from our website: http://www.diversgifts.com/product.php?xProd=232&xSec=6
*Purchasers applying for the 10% discount must email their gifts order direct to info@diversgifts.com with full details (Name and date book set was purchased), discount does not apply to the book-set.[/font][/size]
[size="3"][font="Arial"]
Customers outside the UK: For purchasing please contact us direct for a shipping quote by emailing your order direct to info@diversgifts.com[/font][/size]- Read more...
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