Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Commercial Diving & Underwater Engineering Services
Established in 1963, we are the UK's oldest commercial diving company, specialising in underwater civil engineering and diving services up to 50 metres. Our expert teams operate 24/7 for emergency call-outs, handling inland and offshore projects up to 12 miles from shore. With a purpose-built facility since 2010, we serve civil engineering, marine, and utility sectors using state-of-the-art equipment compliant with IMCA standards. Our engineers and divers deliver bespoke solutions for pipeline protection, structural repairs, and international projects, supported by rigorous training and advanced technology.We maintain a 24-hour emergency line and have completed over 100,000 miles of UK coverage annually, saving 10m in critical infrastructure through rapid deployment. Our history includes landmark projects like dam maintenance and gas pipeline repairs, reflecting our commitment to safety, innovation, and client-specific problem-solving.
Services
Commercial Diving
Marine Surveys
Pipeline Repairs
Structural Inspections
Emergency Salvage
Scour Control
Windfarm Operations
Hydrographical Surveys
Details
- Year established: 1963
Highlights and features
- We have 60+ years of experience in underwater civil engineering and commercial diving.
- Our teams operate 24/7 with rapid deployment capabilities for emergency projects.
- We maintain IMCA-compliant equipment and safety standards across all operations.
- Our engineers handle bespoke projects from pipeline protection to international salvage.
- We combine advanced technology with proven expertise in underwater repairs and surveys.
Services
Commercial Diving
We provide specialist commercial diving services up to 50 metres depth for civil engineering and marine projects. Our divers work on structural repairs, pipeline inspections, and offshore installations using advanced equipment. With 24/7 availability, we handle emergency interventions for critical infrastructure.
Pipeline Repairs
Our team specialises in gas pipeline protection and repair works for exposed or damaged underwater sections. Using bespoke engineering solutions, we reinforce riverbanks, install scour protection, and conduct emergency repairs to prevent infrastructure failures.
Marine Surveys
We conduct detailed hydrographical surveys and structural inspections for marine infrastructure. Our services include bridge inspections, sluice gate assessments, and windfarm foundation evaluations using state-of-the-art survey equipment.
Emergency Salvage
Available 24/7 for urgent salvage requirements, we deploy rapid response teams for maritime emergencies. Our services include wreck removal, cargo recovery, and structural salvage operations using mobile dive spreads and specialist equipment.
Scour Control
We implement specialist scour control measures to protect underwater infrastructure from erosion. Our solutions include bank stabilisation, mattress installations, and flow deflection systems to safeguard pipelines and bridge foundations.
People
John Sparrowe
Managing Director
Leading Northern Divers since 1963, John oversees strategic operations and client relationships. With extensive industry experience, he ensures our commitment to safety and innovation remains paramount.
Robert Reid
Project and Design Manager
Robert manages project design and engineering solutions. His expertise in underwater structural assessments ensures effective client-specific interventions for complex marine challenges.
Martin Shepherd
Diving Manager
Martin leads our diving operations team, maintaining rigorous safety standards and training protocols. He ensures optimal deployment of divers for both routine and emergency underwater projects.
Keith Dunn
Projects Manager
Keith coordinates project execution across diverse locations. With 30+ years in underwater engineering, he specialises in delivering timely solutions for pipeline protection and marine infrastructure.
Questions
What services do Northern Divers offer?
We specialise in commercial diving, pipeline repairs, marine surveys, emergency salvage, and scour control for underwater infrastructure.
Are you available for emergency projects?
Yes, we operate a 24-hour emergency call-out service for urgent underwater interventions.
What depth can your divers work to?
Our commercial divers operate up to 50 metres depth for various underwater tasks.
Do you work internationally?
Yes, we undertake projects globally, with experience in major international infrastructure repairs.
How do you handle bespoke requirements?
90% of our work is customised. Contact us to discuss unique underwater engineering challenges.
