Professional diploma800 h · Online · 8 modules
Professional Diploma in Underwater Welding
This professional diploma prepares you for a specialised field of the maritime industry. You will learn wet and dry underwater welding techniques and how materials behave in these conditions. The programme is theory-based: diver and welder certifications are not included and are issued only by the bodies authorised in each country.
Duration800 h
ModeOnline
Start1 December
Modules8
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About the programme
What is the Professional Diploma in Underwater Welding?
This professional diploma prepares you for a specialised, high-demand field of the maritime industry. It teaches welding techniques, from SMAW to GTAW, adapted to the underwater environment, and covers the inspection and repair of structures such as oil platforms, pipelines and ship hulls. The programme is theory-based: it gives you the technical knowledge behind the discipline, while diver and welder certifications are not included and are issued only by the bodies authorised in each country.
Its strengths are comprehensive knowledge, from diving physics to occupational safety and emergency procedures; coverage of wet and dry hyperbaric welding, underwater cutting and non-destructive inspection; and a final integrated project in which you plan an underwater repair from start to finish.
Programme typeProfessional diploma
ModeOnline
Duration800 hours
Modules8
Start1 December
Programme highlights
- Advanced techniques: current methods and technologies in hyperbaric and underwater welding.
- Safety and regulation: demanding safety protocols and the regulations in force for safe, efficient operations.
- Inspection and quality: non-destructive testing of underwater welds and the related standards.
- Career boost: high-level training in a growing sector.
Syllabus
Syllabus of the Professional Diploma in Underwater Welding
8 modules. Select a module to see its content.
Module 1
Fundamentals of Commercial Diving, Hyperbaric Physiology and the Underwater Environment
- 1.1. Introduction to commercial diving and underwater welding: history, fields of application (hydraulic works, offshore, oil platforms, hull repair) and the profile of the welder-diver
- 1.2. Hyperbaric physiology and hygiene: physics of gases in water, Dalton's, Henry's and Boyle-Mariotte's laws; prevention of decompression sickness (DCS) and nitrogen narcosis
- 1.3. Surface-supplied commercial diving equipment (Surface-Supplied Diving): diving helmets and masks (Kirby Morgan), umbilicals, gas panels, suits and voice communications
- 1.4. International regulations and regulatory bodies: IMCA (International Marine Contractors Association), ADCI (Association of Diving Contractors International) standards and OSHA rules for underwater work
- 1.5. Planning of diving operations and decompression tables: calculation of bottom times, gas mixtures (Air, Nitrox, Heliox), decompression stops and use of surface hyperbaric chambers
- 1.6. Risk management in underwater work: zero visibility, currents, entrapment, hypothermia, suction/discharge zones (Delta P) and emergency procedures
- 1.7. Technical terminology in commercial diving and welding: standardised communication in English and Spanish between the welder-diver, the diving supervisor and the tender
- 1.8. Diver-surface communications and underwater video
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 2
Principles of Marine Metallurgy, Welding Processes and the AWS D3.6M Code
- 2.1. Metallurgy of steel in an aquatic environment: effects of severe cooling (quenching), hydrogen embrittlement, cold cracking and martensite formation in the HAZ (Heat-Affected Zone)
- 2.2. Classification of underwater welding according to the AWS D3.6M code: technical specifications for Class A (surface-quality), Class B (qualified quality), Class C (minor structural repairs) and Class O
- 2.3. Mechanical properties of underwater welded joints: tensile strength, ductility, hardness and impact toughness in carbon steel and marine stainless steels
- 2.4. Electricity and physics of the underwater electric arc: plasma bubble formation, arc stability, straight polarity (DCEN) vs. reverse polarity (DCP) and ionisation of the gaseous medium
- 2.5. Consumables for wet welding: waterproofed coated electrodes, synthetic/ceramic coatings, flux formulation and diameter selection (modified E6013, E7014)
- 2.6. Underwater welding electrical equipment: direct current (DC) generators/inverters, knife-blade safety switches (Knife Switch), large cross-section marine cables and watertight electrode holders
- 2.7. Underwater electrical safety: prevention of electrocution, insulation of earth returns (grounding), open-circuit voltage (OCV) and exclusive use of direct current
- 2.8. Certification of underwater welders
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 3
Wet Underwater Welding Techniques (Wet Welding)
- 3.1. Joint preparation and underwater surface cleaning: removal of marine growth (biofouling), rust and paint by manual scraping, hydraulic brushes and pneumatic/hydraulic grinders
- 3.2. Underwater welding positions and geometry: flat (1G/1F), horizontal (2G/2F), vertical up/down (3G/3F) and overhead (4G/4F) welding
- 3.3. Electrode manipulation techniques: drag technique, work angle, travel angle, arc length and deposition rate in reduced visibility
- 3.4. Execution of fillet and groove welds: tack welding, root passes, fill passes and cap passes on flat bars and pipes
- 3.5. Control of gas bubbles and slag: management of trapped gas, cleaning between underwater passes using a chipping hammer and stainless steel wire brush
- 3.6. Wet welding on offshore structures and ship hulls: crack repair, fitting hull patches (cofferdams / watertight patches) and pile reinforcement
- 3.7. Common defects in wet welding: excessive porosity, lack of penetration, undercut, slag inclusions, hydrogen cracking and methods to prevent them
- 3.8. Qualification of the wet welding procedure
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 4
Dry Hyperbaric Underwater Welding (Dry Hyperbaric Welding)
- 4.1. Principles of dry hyperbaric welding: submerged dry habitats, pressure chambers, water evacuation systems by gas pressurisation and environmental conditioning
- 4.2. Welding processes in dry habitats: TIG/GTAW, SMAW and GMAW/FCAW welding adapted to high hyperbaric pressures
- 4.3. Effect of hyperbaric pressure on the welding arc: arc constriction, metal transfer, chemistry of reactions in the weld pool and changes in shielding gas composition
- 4.4. Life-support and ventilation systems in habitats: extraction of welding fumes, control of oxygen, carbon monoxide (CO) levels and internal temperature
- 4.5. Alignment and preparation of high-pressure pipes (Pipelines): use of mechanical/hydraulic line-up clamps, bevel machining and root gap adjustment
- 4.6. Qualification of hyperbaric welding procedures (WPS/PQR): compliance with AWS D3.6M Class A requirements for subsea oil and gas transport pipelines
- 4.7. Visual inspection techniques and real-time control from the surface: monitoring with HD cameras in the habitat, control of electrical parameters and supervision by the welding engineer
- 4.8. Repair welding on ship hulls
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 5
Underwater Cutting and Demolition: Broco Oxy-Arc Cutting and Thermal Lance
- 5.1. Fundamentals of exothermic underwater oxygen cutting (Broco System): thermochemical reaction, burning of exothermic rods, use of high-purity oxygen and ignition by electric arc
- 5.2. Equipment and components for exothermic cutting: insulated cutting torches, cutting rods with reactive wires, high-flow oxygen regulators and 12V ignition batteries
- 5.3. Cutting techniques for steels, alloys and concrete: inclination angle, continuous drag technique, hole piercing and cutting of thick structures
- 5.4. Oxy-arc cutting with tubular carbon/steel electrodes: operating principles, electrode consumption and applications on ship plate
- 5.5. Safety and flammability precautions in underwater oxygen cutting: accumulation of hydrogen and oxygen pockets under structures, explosion prevention and purging of cavities
- 5.6. Dismantling and demolition of submerged metal structures: pile cutting techniques, wreck recovery (salvage operations), obstruction removal and controlled blasting
- 5.7. Use of auxiliary hydraulic and pneumatic cutting tools: chainsaws for concrete, hydraulic shears, grinders and diamond disc cutters
- 5.8. Abrasive water jet cutting tools
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 6
Underwater Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Quality Control
- 6.1. Principles of inspection and quality control of submerged structures: roles of the NDT diver-inspector (CSWIP / ASNT Level II Underwater) and classification society rules (DNV, ABS, Lloyd’s)
- 6.2. Underwater Visual Inspection (VT): assessment of weld bead profiles, undercut measurement, underwater photographic records and preparation of technical condition reports
- 6.3. Underwater Magnetic Particle Inspection (MT): use of marine magnetic yokes (AC/DC), fluorescent particles and ultraviolet light (UV/Black Light) for detecting surface cracks
- 6.4. Underwater Ultrasonic Testing (UT): plate thickness measurement on hulls and tanks, calibration of marine probes with couplant and detection of internal discontinuities
- 6.5. Alternating Current Field Measurement (ACFM): detection and characterisation of cracks through coatings and paint without the need for cleaning to bare metal
- 6.6. Cathodic protection monitoring and corrosion potential measurement (CP): use of reference electrodes (Ag/AgCl) to verify the level of protection of metal structures and welds
- 6.7. Documentation, digital reporting and defect mapping: preparation of the final NDT inspection report, fault location diagrams and repair recommendations
- 6.8. CSWIP 3.1U and 3.2U inspector certification
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 7
Operational Safety, Emergency Procedures and Equipment Maintenance
- 7.1. Prevention of specific risks in underwater welding and cutting: electric shock, explosion of gas mixtures, umbilical entanglement and thermal burns
- 7.2. Isolation and lockout of systems (underwater Lockout/Tagout): blocking of water intakes, propellers, azimuth thrusters and valve stems during diver intervention
- 7.3. Maintenance and inspection of underwater welding equipment: torch watertightness inspection, cable insulation checks, pressure gauge calibration and connector cleaning
- 7.4. Management of contingencies and equipment failures: loss of communication, interruption of breathing gas supply, welding generator failure and umbilical rupture
- 7.5. Specific first aid and rescue of the welder-diver: procedures for recovering an unconscious diver from the bottom, lifting manoeuvres to the surface and administration of normobaric/hyperbaric oxygen
- 7.6. First aid for burns and electric shocks: immediate care for injuries caused by electrical faults or molten metal spatter in an aquatic environment
- 7.7. Emergency plans and drills on board: coordination between the support vessel team (DSV - Diving Support Vessel), diving supervisors and hyperbaric medical staff
- 7.8. Decompression management after prolonged work
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your paceModule 8
Capstone Project: Planning, Execution and Certification of an Underwater Repair
- 8.1. Selection of the case study and operational scenario: project definition (crack repair on a ship's hull, reinforcement of a quay pile or pipe joint on an offshore platform)
- 8.2. Preparation of the Diving and Welding Operations Plan: drafting the risk assessment (JSA/HAZID), selection of breathing mixtures, decompression tables and equipment logistics
- 8.3. Design of the Welding Procedure Specification (WPS): definition of electrical parameters, type of waterproofed electrode, joint preparation, geometry and acceptance standard (AWS D3.6M)
- 8.4. Execution of the underwater welding/cutting procedure: step-by-step simulation of surface preparation, tack welding, execution of weld passes or cutting of the damaged section
- 8.5. Inspection and non-destructive testing (NDT) plan: design of the quality control protocol using post-weld visual inspection, ultrasonic testing or magnetic particles
- 8.6. Calculation of operating costs, resources and bottom times: estimation of the operation budget, total immersion time, personnel required and consumption of gases/electrodes
- 8.7. Technical repair report and class certificate
- 8.8. Final presentation and defence: presentation of the complete project before an examining board made up of Commercial Diving Supervisors, IWE/EWE Welding Engineers and Underwater NDT Auditors
At this stage
100 hestimated workload8 wkweeks at your pacePlan your pace
Duration and format of the Professional Diploma in Underwater Welding
It is 800 hours. Tell us how many you can study each week and we will tell you when you will really finish.
4 h30 h
With 12 h per week
15
months to finish
67 weeks
weeks in total
This is the pace at which most students finish. It fits well with the instalment plan.
Faculty
Academic leadership and faculty
The Navalis teaching team: working professionals who teach and supervise the programmes.
Dra. Marina AlcoverAcademic Director and Head of Quality Assurance
Ing. Diego CifuentesSenior Lecturer in Naval Welding and Non-Destructive Testing; Head of QA/QC for Welded Joints
Cap. Javier Abaroa (MCA)Senior Lecturer in Ship Handling, Electronic Navigation (ECDIS/Radar/ARPA) and GMDSS; STCW Compliance and Bridge Resource Management Coordinator
Dr. Pau FerrerSenior Lecturer in Naval Architecture and Simulation; Director of the Hydrodynamics and CFD Laboratory
Dra. Nuria LlobregatSenior Lecturer in Marine Meteorology, SAR and Operational Safety; Navigation Risk Management Coordinator
Ing. Javier BañulsSenior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, Automation and ETO Engineering; Electronic Integration and Engine Alarms Coordinator
Ing. Sofía MarquinaSenior Lecturer in Materials, Composites and Corrosion Protection; Coordinator of the Advanced Paints and Coatings Line
Ing. Tomás RieraSenior Lecturer in Propulsion, Alternative Energy and Hybrid Systems; Energy Performance and Vibration CoordinatorObjectives
Objectives of the Professional Diploma in Underwater Welding
01Understand how high-quality underwater welds are produced.
02Inspect and repair submerged structures by welding.
03Apply cutting and welding techniques in hyperbaric environments.
04Comply rigorously with safety standards in underwater welding operations.
05Master communication and coordination in diving and welding teams.
06Select and maintain specialised underwater welding equipment.
Careers
Career opportunities after the Professional Diploma in Underwater Welding
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the Professional Diploma in Underwater Welding
In an underwater environment, whether in fresh or salt water.
Yes. The pathway includes ECDIS/Radar-ARPA/BRM with port, ocean, fog, heavy weather and SAR scenarios.
Online with live sessions; hybrid option for simulator/placement periods through partnership agreements.
Underwater environments, whether in fresh or salt water.
Functional SMCP is recommended. We provide support materials for standard phraseology.
Yes, with a related qualification or experience in maritime/port operations. The admission interview will confirm suitability.
Optional (3–6 months) through Companies & Partnerships and the Alumni Network.
Simulator exercises (rubrics), passage plans, SOPs, checklists, micro-tests and an applied master's thesis.
Related programmes
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Online admission
Admission process
No waiting for a call back. If your documents are in order, you can enrol in the same session.
Entry requirements
- Academic or professional profile: approved welder certificate (for example SMAW, GTAW or FCAW) and professional diving certification (class 1, 2 or 3).
- Physical fitness: medical certificate of fitness for professional diving and physical tests (swimming and endurance).
- Documentation: up-to-date CV, copies of welding and diving certifications, accident insurance, identity document or passport, and a letter of motivation.
- Additional requirements: demonstrable experience in welding or diving (desirable) and knowledge of underwater safety regulations. Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documentation.
- 01ApplicationYour details, background and documents.
- 02Instant reviewWe check that everything is complete and in order.
- 03EnrolmentChoose full payment or instalments and reserve your place.
Start my applicationFrom AED 2,540 deposit
Admission is provisional until the committee validates the documents provided. If you do not meet the requirements, the full amount is refunded.
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