Diver’s World was founded by Charalampos Antzoulis in 1982, after six years of learning every type of underwater service and working on the largest vessels of Hellenic shipping. In 2012 he decided to transfer the company to his sons Dimitris and Socrates, professional divers since 2007, and who work hard to maintain it at the top of the diving industry.
In this interview, Dimitris and Socrates explain all about the features and challenges of their profession, how technological innovations improve the job conditions, and how Peli helps them protect their sensitive equipment.
Peli: The company was created nearly 40 years ago as a one-man project, but today it is at the top of the diving industry: what steps has the company had to follow to achieve such success?
DW: The company was founded many years ago by Charalambos Antzoulis and in 2012 it passed into the hands of his two sons Dimitris and Socrates. As you can understand, the sea and diving have been in our lives since our early childhood. This is the reason why we love our work so much and invest in new equipment, new technologies and seek to constantly evolve ourselves and our company.
Peli: What kind of services do you offer, and which one would you say is the most challenging one?
DW: Our company offers a plethora of services such as underwater cleaning, repairs, inspections, constructions, salvage and rescue, search and recovery, consulting etc. One of the services that “excite us” is the removal and installation of the propellers and generally the technical work in the ship’s propulsion system.
One of the most challenging services is salvage operations. If a ship is in danger, you must act quickly and safely. Taking into account the consequences in the environment and the risk to personnel and crew, planning ahead and experience is crucial. Our equipment is well maintained, our personnel are experienced, and we are always ready 24/7 for a quick response.
Peli: What are the skills a professional diver from your team should have?
DW: In addition to the necessary knowledge and degrees required to start one's career as a professional diver, commercial diving has always been a team endeavor. In order to operate as an effective unit, a diver must have strong communication skills and the desire to operate as a cohesive unit. A diver also must possess above-average physical and mental toughness which allows him or her to remain calm in adverse conditions.
Peli: In 2020 you carried out an underwater inspection with Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROV). What was the goal of the project and how do ROV assist you?
DW: In 2020 we undertook the inspection of an oil rig’s six thrusters with the use of our Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicle (ROV). The goal of the project was the detailed inspection and video recording of the thrusters. We carefully inspected the propulsion system for any sign of damage or wear and tear, as this system is vital for the safety of the rig and its crew members.
The use of the ROV is beneficial for many reasons. It is very reliable if maintained correctly, has good autonomy so that it can remain underwater for extended periods of time and can be operated at extreme depths. Last but not least, with the use of an ROV there is no risk to our divers. ROVs are expensive but the safety of our personnel is priceless.
Peli: What PELI product(s) do you usually use and what professional equipment do you store in it?
DW: Most of our equipment is expensive and sensitive. For this reason, we choose to protect it from the dangers of our work with watertight PELI cases. Α very large percentage of our equipment is stored in Peli cases, like CCTV control units, welding switch units, dive helmet systems, ROVs, laptops and diver panels.
To learn more about Diver's World visit there website or follow them on Instagram.