A Day In the Life of A Commercial Diver In the Twin Ports

SUPERIOR- Today I suit up and find out what it takes to be a commercial diver in the Twin Ports. It all starts with about 60 pounds of gear which was more complicated to put on than imagined. As it turns out, it's a lot harder than it looked. Divers at Nordic Underwater Services can spend up to 8 hours in day in their wet suits. Harrison said, "it definitely takes a toll, you have to respect the water." Their office is like nothing you can imagine. Harrison said, "sometimes we're working in dark, in total blackout conditions, cramped." But the divers say they love the challenge. Harrison said, "it's always an interesting day. Never complacent. Changes every moment, every second." Nordic is one of the only commercial diving companies in the Twin Ports. Foster said, "we do a lot of underwater welding, burning, concrete work. We do a lot of repairs to the dock walls." In a short time, this company has become a triple threat. "Assess it, engineer it, design it and go build it." Because the waters around Lake Superior suffer from higher than normal amounts of corrosion, Nordic's research and maintenance is helping to protect the harbor and will keep them busy for years to come. Foster said, "we will probably expand to a second full time dive crew, and hopefully to three by 2016." While the pay can become very lucrative, that's not way these guys do it. Harrison said, "you don't do it for the money, you do it because you love diving.""All in a days work at Nordic underwater services."