DEEP opens its doors!!

DEEP has officially opened applications for its UK HSE Closed Bell Diver training programme, marking a major milestone in professional diver education. Delivered from a newly developed, purpose‑built campus in the Southwest of England, the programme offers an advanced route for experienced commercial divers aiming to progress into closed bell and saturation diving operations.

A World‑Leading Training Environment

Training will take place at DEEP’s newly commissioned closed bell diver training facility, widely regarded as the most advanced system of its kind globally and currently unmatched anywhere else in the Northern Hemisphere.

The facility is constructed on a bespoke barge system, positioned within a sheltered freshwater quarry with water depths reaching up to 80 metres. It incorporates a six‑person saturation living chamber and a three‑person closed bell, enabling realistic, high‑fidelity training in a controlled and secure environment. The secluded setting allows programmes to be delivered consistently throughout the year, independent of offshore weather conditions.

Preparing Divers for Closed Bell and Saturation Operations

The three‑week course is designed specifically for experienced surface‑supplied commercial divers seeking to take the next step in their careers. Training combines classroom instruction with intensive practical exercises, covering:

• Closed bell diving procedures
• Life‑support and environmental control systems
• Transfer under pressure (TUP) operations
• Emergency and contingency response
• Safe operational conduct in mixed‑gas environments

Upon successful completion, candidates will be awarded the UK HSE Closed Bell Diver certification—the highest professional commercial diving qualification issued by the UK Health and Safety Executive. This certification is globally recognised and is a critical requirement for work in saturation diving roles across offshore oil and gas, renewable energy, and subsea construction projects in the UK and internationally.

Course Dates and Availability

Course delivery will begin in autumn 2026, with initial places already filled through an existing waitlist. Applications are now being accepted for additional course intakes starting in January 2027.

The training programme is priced at £30,000, reflecting the specialist infrastructure, extended chamber exposure, and intensive instructional delivery involved.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is intended for divers who already possess a strong offshore foundation and are ready to advance into closed bell operations. Entry requirements include:

• A recognised surface‑supplied diving qualification to 50 metres, held for at least 12 months
• A valid medical certificate covering the course period
• A current First Aid at Work qualification
• A minimum of 100 logged offshore dives and 100 post‑qualification diving hours

Looking Beyond Traditional Saturation Diving

While the immediate focus is on commercial closed bell and saturation diving, DEEP also views this facility as a long‑term platform for wider subsea skills development. Future applications may include training for habitat‑based diving, scientific and research operations, and cross‑over pathways for experienced divers from military and specialist technical backgrounds.

Find Out More

Full course details, prerequisites, and application information are available via DEEP’s website:

👉 www.deep.com/courses