Join the Navy > Navy Diver

From their simple beginnings as swimmers disarming mines during the Civil War, Navy divers trace their history back to the middle of the nineteenth century when they were primarily employed in the salvage and repair of ships. The term “Navy Divers” is anything but typical. Divers have played a critical role in the Navy. The rare breed of men and women in today's Navy Dive Team play a vital role in a broad spectrum of missions. Using the most modern diving equipment available, divers are taught how to operate in a variety of conditions - from clear, warm tropical waters to frigid, arctic waters beneath icebergs to water so murky that the work must be done by touch alone. Today, divers perform a number of essential tasks, including underwater reconnaissance, demolition, construction, ship maintenance, search and rescue, and salvage operations. Other duties may include: Performing a variety of diving salvage operations and special diving duties worldwide. Supporting military and civilian law enforcement agencies. Serving as the technical experts for diving evolutions for numerous military special operations units. Providing security, communications and other logistics during Expeditionary Warfare missions.

Assignments Navy Divers are assigned to Navy Dive Units (NDU), which are broken down by the type of tasks they execute. While some NDUs perform general duties, other units practice a dive subspecialty.

Deep Submergence Rescue Vehicle (DSRV) In the event of an underwater accident, a DSRV can be quickly deployed to rescue a submarine crew. A DSRV can be transported by truck, aircraft, ship or a specially configured submarine. At the accident site, the DSRV, working with a "mother" ship or submarine, is sent down to conduct a sonar search and attach itself to the disabled submarine's hatch. A DSRV is capable of transporting 24 personnel to the "mother" vessel.

Ships Maintenance Centers The Ships Maintenance Centers are responsible for ship husbandry (ship cleaning and maintenance). With divers performing common operations such as screw (propeller) changes and hull cleaning, the ship doesn’t need to be taken out of the water and placed in dry dock, saving the Navy millions of dollars each year in dry-docking costs.

Underwater Construction Team (UCT) The UCT, comprised of Seabees with specialized dive training, possess underwater repair and construction expertise and are amphibious in nature. They are capable of constructing shallow- and deep-water structures, mooring systems, and underwater instrumentation and also perform light salvage and precision blasting. There are two teams: UCT-1, based in Little Creek, VA, performs construction and demolition in a combat environment and construction, repair and maintenance of harbor installations, such as piling repair and grouting. UCT-2, based in Port Hueneme, CA, is responsible for all ocean and waterfront facilities overseen by the Commander of the Pacific Command.

Naval Special Warfare Units (SEAL and SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams) Navy Divers are assigned to Naval Special Warfare Units to provide diving technical expertise and supervisory support to all submersible operations and are a critical element of a SEAL team. Divers are an important component of the SEAL Delivery Vehicle Teams. Burdened with mission-specific planning and preparation, SEALs depend on the divers for a variety of services, including the launch and recovery of SDVs. SEALs are then free to concentrate on their mission, knowing that they are in safe and competent hands.

Mobile Diving and Salvage Units (MDSU) MDSU 1 in Hawaii and MDSU in Virginia, both have helped in the recovery in boats, planes and space shuttle. MDSU provides: salvage towing battle repair damage harbor clearance demolition expeditionary combat salvage underwater construction

Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Support Navy Divers are assigned to EOD Units serving as the diving system expert. They are involved in: equipment and training EOD forces re-compression chamber operation force protection/anti terrorism hull searches maintenance and certification of open and semi-closed circuit diving apparatus

Naval Experimental Unit (NEDU) Navy Divers work with scientists and engineers in developing and testing underwater breathing apparatus, specialized diving equipment as well as de-compression table and treatments.