Underwater Welding & Cutting Companies

Types of Underwater Welding & Cutting Services Offered

Underwater welding and cutting play a vital role in offshore construction, ship repairs, and subsea infrastructure maintenance. These specialized services allow critical work to continue without removing vessels or structures from the water. Understanding the differences between welding and cutting techniques helps ensure the right method is used for each situation.

Underwater Welding Services

Welding below the surface is essential for structural repairs and modifications on ships, oil rigs, and underwater pipelines. Two main approaches are typically used:

1. Wet Welding: This is the more commonly applied method. It’s carried out directly in the water using waterproof electrodes. Wet welding is quicker and less expensive, but it also calls for experienced divers due to the reduced visibility and the need for precision.
2. Dry Welding (Hyperbaric Welding): In this method, a dry chamber is created around the weld area. It takes longer to set up but offers higher quality results, especially when structural integrity is critical. Dry welding is often preferred for major repairs or installations where long-term reliability is key.

Both techniques require certified divers who are trained in safety procedures and comfortable working in demanding underwater conditions.

Underwater Cutting Services

Cutting underwater is just as critical - especially when removing damaged parts, clearing obstructions, or making space for new installations. Common methods include:

1. Exothermic Cutting: This method uses a high-temperature torch powered by oxygen to burn through metal. It’s fast and efficient for heavy-duty cuts but demands strict safety precautions due to the open flame.
2. Hydraulic Cutting: Relying on water or oil pressure to drive cutting tools, hydraulic systems are ideal when heat-based methods are unsafe or not allowed. They’re quiet, clean, and effective in controlled environments.
3. Mechanical Cutting: When precision matters, mechanical tools like underwater grinders or chain saws are used. While not as fast as other techniques, they offer detailed control, especially in tight or complex areas.

Choosing the right underwater cutting method depends on the job’s size, safety constraints, and site conditions. That’s why experienced teams assess each situation carefully to ensure the most efficient and secure solution.

Applications of Underwater Welding & Cutting

Underwater welding and cutting services are utilised across a wide range of maritime and offshore sectors. Some of the key application areas include:

• Ship hull repair & maintenance: Repairing cracked or damaged hull plates, brackets, weld seams, propeller supports, ballast tank structures and sea-chests without dry-dock.
• Offshore oil & gas platforms: Structural integrity repairs to legs, jackets, conductor pipes, submerged support frames and platform wells.
• Subsea pipelines and risers: Welding or cutting pipelines, piping spools or riser supports in deep-water environments, under live production conditions.
• Ports, harbours & marine infrastructure: Repairing berthing dolphins, fender supports, quay walls, underwater brackets, tie-in plates and replacement of studs.
• Renewable energy structures: Underwater work on wind turbine foundations, floating platforms, wave-energy devices and anchored subsea assemblies.
• Salvage & emergency repairs: Conducting urgent structural cutting and welding to salvage vessels, clear obstructions, or perform remedial work when dry-docking is impossible.

Each application brings its own set of challenges — from accessibility, diver safety, sea state and depth, to scheduling, class society requirements and mobilization logistics.

Equipment, Techniques & Technology Used

To execute underwater welding and cutting work reliably, service providers utilise specialised equipment, techniques and safety systems:

• Welding generators with DC power (AC is not used underwater due to high risk of electric shock).
• Insulated electrodes, waterproof flux coatings, specialised welding torch systems and handling tools for wet-stick underwater welding.
• Hyperbaric habitats/cofferdams for dry welding, allowing controlled atmosphere, pre- and post-weld heat treatment and higher weld quality. 
• Cutting systems: exothermic electrodes, oxygen-arc cutting tools, hydraulic cutters, mechanical cutters and high pressure water-jet cleaning for pre-cut preparation.
• Non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment: ultrasonic testing (UT), magnetic particle testing (MT), visual inspection, weld monitoring systems to verify integrity, especially in subsea environment.
• Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), diver-tenders, communications systems, diver safety gear, underwater lighting, positioning systems and mobilization rigging.

Service providers that stay current with technology tend to deliver better quality, faster turnaround and greater safety.

Certifications & Industry Standards

In underwater welding and cutting, certified personnel and clear safety standards are essential. Every trusted provider should work with qualified commercial divers trained in marine welding techniques and emergency response. Equally important are NDT specialists, who inspect welds and structures to ensure quality without damaging materials. Look for companies that follow strict protocols and hold certifications like ISO 9001, as well as class approvals from DNV, ABS, or Lloyd’s Register. These standards reflect a company’s ability to deliver safe, reliable subsea work - especially in high-risk, time-sensitive environments where precision matters most.

Choosing a Service Provider: Key Considerations

Since underwater welding and cutting often require rapid response, local/regional availability matters. When selecting a underwater welding company, consider:

• Does the contractor have local port or offshore base near your vessel or rig?
• Do they have certified diver teams and equipment pre-mobilised in your geographical region (e.g., Europe, Middle East, Asia-Pacific, Americas)?
• Are they class-approved for your vessel’s flag state or asset owner requirements (e.g., DNV, ABS, Lloyd’s Register)?
• Do they include ancillary services (inspection, hull cleaning, propeller polishing, ROV surveys) that may reduce mobilization time and cost?
• Do they offer 24/7 mobilisation or emergency standby capabilities for urgent structural repairs?

By choosing a company with regional coverage and strong credentials, you reduce lead-times and ensure better operational readiness.

Connect with Top Companies

If you’re looking for reliable support below the waterline, our platform is here to help. We’ve built a curated list of professionals offering top underwater welding and cutting services, all vetted for quality, safety, and technical ability. Whether your vessel needs urgent repair or routine structural maintenance, Records Marine helps you find the right team, in the right port, at the right time. Use our directory to connect with specialists who understand the job - and deliver it with precision.