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 Michael Cocks's course in wet welding with TWI/Hydroweld (above) proved to be his most challenging dive training experience to date At the end of July I spent two exhausting weeks - involving no fewer than 19 hours' diving - in Pattaya, Thailand, trying to learn to weld underwater as the guest of TWI/Hydroweld. Previously, in May 1998, I had spent a weekend being taught by Phil Boulter of Hydroweld, at TWI North's excellent tank in Middlesbrough. My challenge this time round was to see if I could reach a standard sufficient for me to obtain a Lloyds' certificate. 
This was my most intensive diving course to date and involved far more time under water than is usual on training courses. Thanks to Mike Pett, the owner of Hydroweld, it was also the most enjoyable - both in and out of the water.Mike Pett has been in the diving industry for more than 20 years and involved with welding for 27 years. He set up Hydroweld in 1987, and the Hydroweld FS wet-welding electrode is the result of more than 5 years' research and development. Designed to work in all positions in fresh water or brine to a depth of 100 metres, this electrode produces wet welds comparable to above-water welds. It is the only such electrode approved by the British Ministry of Defence and as such is listed in the NATO codification system. Although I was called a fossil, and in the local bars in Pattaya - where US troops went to rest from the Vietnam war - I was introduced as "Papa", I feel that I stood up to the regime pretty well. Intense I was not allowed to escape any of the work, including grinding the plates ready for welding in intense heat, and running the dives from an excellent air-conditioned dive control. Mermaid Maritime, who own the tank and facilities and host the courses, could not have been more welcoming. 
The largest diving contractor based in Thailand, Mermaid Maritime was set up in 1982 and is owned by Danish businessmen. It operates a number of oil-related vessels and ROVs, and works throughout South East Asia. I had last met Mark Shepherd, the training manager, when I dived in 5ft of water in the Grand Union Canal when he worked for Shiers. The four other students on the course were Mark Halliday, a South African who mainly works for Danish diving companies; Michel Ruiter, a former Dutch marine who works for UMC in Rotterdam; Bob Ross, a former submariner who works for Randive of New Jersey; and John Jowett, the only other Englishman, who lives in North Thailand and is a highly qualified dry welder. It was unfortunate for me that the other students were well above average ability. The first day was spent in the classroom learning about the techniques of underwater welding. The remaining nine days involved welding tuition in the 6-metre tank, which is large enough to accommodate two students plus Mike Pett, who provided in-water tuition throughout the course. There was no shortage of welding electrodes, and my longest single dive approached 3 hours. Satisfying All the diving was done in overalls and the water was pleasantly warm. I usually dived in a Superlite helmet, latterly wearing my glasses. My progress was slow, but nothing is more satisfying than seeing the slag fall off by itself. Although some of my welds were good (and I now have two examples adorning my mantelpiece) my performance was somewhat inconsistent. Nevertheless, even Mike Pett admitted that I made some progress.... Qualification 
The test, held on the last day, is witnessed by a surveyor from Lloyds Register of Shipping, and successful students receive a "Welder Performance Qualification' (WPQ) to the AWS D3.6 Specification for Underwater Welding. All the students found the course intense, but worthwhile.I found the Thais very friendly and the cost of living low. For instance, the first-class hotel in which I stayed cost only £11 a night, including the obligatory (for divers) cooked breakfast. Mike Pett ensured that we were well entertained when not diving and excursions included elephant trekking and a trip in the jungle. Unfortunately, bad weather prevented a parascending trip and a clear helmet dive. Until I actually did the course, I thought that considerable dry welding skills would be needed. But these can, in fact, be a disadvantage, as welding techniques required under water are very different. If a newly trained diver has any money left, this course would certainly improve his diving ability, as he would spend almost as much time under water as on the whole "Part 1". Advisable Relative to some other courses, this provides the diver very good value. It is, however, advisable that he has a trial dive at Hydroweld's underwater facility before deciding to do the course either in Middlesbrough or Thailand. Personally, I found wet welding much more fascinating than I expected, and I can now see why it is being increasingly accepted around the world, for it is far cheaper to repair a ship at sea than in dry dock. My thanks to Mike Pett and the other students, whom I hope to catch up with on my travels around the world. |
© 2001 Underwater World Publications Ltd.