Month: November 2024

“As salvage divers, we’re jacks of all trades,” explained Zaki. “I do firefighting, rope access, ship-to-ship transfers, coordination, and more. If I’m in Singapore, I report to work at 9am and handle my usual administrative duties. But then, I might get a call for an emergency response, with a flight at 2pm.”

When that happens, Zaki quickly packs his diving and personal go bags, along with any required firefighting equipment, and heads straight to the airport. Jobs can last from a single day to six months, often requiring shift work within a team. Over time, he’s become accustomed to being resourceful and self-reliant. “In remote places like West Papua, it might take two weeks to get a proper diving knife, unlike in Singapore where everything is accessible,” he explains. “Salvage divers bring essentials, like water purification pills for locations like the Solomon Islands where fresh water isn’t guaranteed.”

Zaki’s team includes colleagues from South Africa and the Netherlands, working together in locations with vastly different safety standards. “For example, in Bangladesh, they have their own ways of diving,” he says. “What we consider dangerous might be normal for them — it’s a cultural difference.”

Though he doesn’t often discuss the risks, salvage diving does come with hazards.

“I’ve seen someone lose their hand,” he reveals. “There are explosions on vessels, people with pale faces due to decompression sickness. While we follow safety measures like the buddy system and safety talks, it ultimately comes down to individual judgment. At any point if you feel yours or your colleague’s life is at risk, you have to assess the situation and halt all work if deemed necessary.”

The job has its surprises, he adds. “Underwater drones can provide visuals during surveys, but they can’t open doors — that’s why we still need divers. Sometimes, we do ship-to-ship transfers, moving liquids, solids, or even rocks. It could be anything.”