Dominion Divers operates as a specialized marine contracting and commercial diving firm based in Manitoba, Canada. Established in the mid-1960s, the company has evolved from a local diving shop into a primary provider of underwater construction and infrastructure maintenance services across Western Canada, Northern Ontario, and the Arctic regions. While many marine firms focus on coastal or offshore oil and gas sectors, Dominion Divers has carved out a distinct niche in the inspection, repair, and rehabilitation of inland underwater assets, including dams, bridges, and municipal water systems.
The company’s origins trace back to the early 1960s, initially operating under the name Divers Den. Founder Gilbert Lamothe originally established the business to support recreational scuba activities, but the enterprise quickly pivoted in response to growing demand from local authorities and construction contractors. As police services requested assistance with search and recovery operations and civil engineers sought solutions for underwater structural issues, the company transitioned fully into commercial operations. This shift marked the beginning of its long-standing role as a critical support partner for heavy civil construction projects in freshwater environments.
Today, Dominion Divers manages complex subsea projects that require personnel to work in challenging, often zero-visibility conditions. Their operational portfolio is extensive, covering marine construction tasks such as cofferdam installation, pile encapsulation, and the placement of erosion control systems. The firm is frequently called upon to extend the lifespan of aging infrastructure, performing essential rehabilitation work on bridge piers and hydroelectric facilities. In addition to heavy construction, they provide sophisticated inspection services, utilizing sonar imaging and underwater video technologies to assess the condition of submerged assets for government and industrial clients.
The organization’s service territory is vast, spanning from the harsh, icy waters of the Canadian North to the river systems of the prairies. This geographic scope requires specialized expertise in ice diving and cold-water operations, distinguishing the firm from competitors accustomed to more temperate marine environments. By maintaining a fleet of portable marine vessels and specialized hydraulic tooling, Dominion Divers ensures that essential water intakes, pipelines, and control structures remain operational, safeguarding vital supply lines and transport networks throughout the country's interior.
