A SCOTTISH commercial diving centre reported yesterday that it continued to work at full capacity to train students.
The Underwater Centre, at Fort William, is said to be benefiting from major growth in the worldwide subsea oil and gas sector.
Last year, it trained 350 diving students and is expecting to repeat this again in 2008.
It also provides training for an expanding number of remotely operated vehicle (ROV) pilot technicians.
This year’s tally will be more than 200, well over double the 2007 figure.
General manager Steve Ham said: “According to Subsea UK’s recent study, the subsea oil and gas sector has grown by a staggering 25% each year in the last two years and the global market is now worth £12.5billion annually.
“The very favourable market conditions are a key factor in our growth, however, continued investment in new facilities, technology and enhanced training, particularly in the area of ROVs, has bolstered our position.”
Eleven inspection engineers from Subsea 7 are taking part in a two-week diving and ROV training programme at the Fort William centre. Mr Ham was delighted to have won this third successive training contract from the group, adding: “It is fantastic that our expertise continues to be recognised by one of the world’s leading subsea engineering and construction companies.”