June 18, 2020
Marine Salvage Operator
A salvage team can comprise of many different skills sets depending on the size of the job. On a salvage vessel these could include officers, mates, engineers, divers, welders, technicians and ROV operators. There will also be a whole team working on land in project management, finance, IT, human resources and more.
There are different types of salvage work as a marine incident can occur far from shore where conditions are difficult or even within a harbour where the sea is calm. Cargo salvage needs to happen quickly. Wreck removal has no salvage value but might be necessary for the safe navigation of other vessels or due to environmental concerns. Afloat salvage involves hull welding, stabilisation and fixing the structural integrity of the ship.
To work in this industry, you must be team player. It is high-risk work, and no two days are ever the same. You must be technically minded, level-headed, and be prepared to work long and hard hours often under dangerous conditions. Diving is one of the most useful skills in salvage and you would need to be a commercial diver, preferably with underwater welding specialisation. Because salvage divers often work at extreme depth you may also need to know about gas blending and rebreathers. (For more information about commercial diving opportunities, refer to the section on the oil and gas sector.)
Key tasks:
• Tow vessels.
• Refloat vessels.
• Undertake emergency repairs of vessels.
• Pump water and keep vessels afloat.
• Extinguish fires.
• Evacuate crew or passengers.
• Recover cargo.
• Remove pollutants.
• Maintain and operate specialised salvage equipment.
Entry requirements/training:
All salvage work is subject to the same licencing and certification requirements as sea going maritime workers as defined by the International Maritime Organisation. Refer to the section on seafarers for more information on this. Depending on what area of salvage you would like to go into, you will need train in that particular aspect. A number of people in the industry started their careers in the navy or merchant shipping.
Career advancement:
Due to the wide range of skills needed for salvage work, you can work your way up in the industry taking on more complex work. There is a distance learning Diploma in Marine Salvage Operation offered by the Maritime Training Academy.
Associated job opportunities:
Professionals in the field of marine salvage may find associated job opportunities across various sectors. Here are some potential roles and associated job opportunities related to marine salvage:
• Salvage Project Manager
• Salvage Engineer
• Salvage Master
• Diver/Salvage Diver
• Underwater Welder
• Project Coordinator (Marine)
