First ever Korean-language HSE course delivered

Language no barrier to obtaining global diving certification

A group of Korean commercial divers have obtained their HSE (Health & Safety Executive) diving certification on the first ever Korean-language HSE diving course at The Underwater Centre, Fort William.



The 12 divers from Deep Sea Works, South Korea, completed the HSE Experience and Competence Assessment (ECA) course - normally delivered in English - entirely in the Korean language.

The Underwater Centre uses translators and interpreters to deliver courses to groups of non-English speaking divers, allowing companies from non-English speaking countries to obtain this globally recognised diver certification. The Centre had all the course documentation – including dive plans, log books and course material – translated into Korean. The course was delivered in Fort William with the assistance of an on-site interpreter. As well as translating the instructions and feedback from the assessors, the interpreter was also on hand to help with other everyday issues, such as explaining the Centre’s restaurant menu.



Deep Sea Works specialises in civil engineering, diving and construction work. Im Chang Yung, CEO, chose The Underwater Centre for his staff’s HSE course because he was impressed with the instructional team and facilities when he undertook his HSE Closed Bell training there in 2008.

Chang Yung was delighted with his team’s experience at The Underwater Centre, giving the Centre top marks for the course content, delivery, facilities and staff. He said: “I would definitely recommend The Underwater Centre to other companies, and I will be sending my next group of divers to do their HSE ECA in November.”

Ali MacLeod, Air Diving Training Manager at The Underwater Centre, was pleased with the smooth operation of the course. He said: “We had allowed a buffer of an extra week for working in another language, but we didn’t need it. The process worked really well and the on-site interpreter was fantastic. It also helped that the candidates were some of the best divers we have ever assessed on the HSE ECA.”

The Underwater Centre has also delivered non-English speaking courses at its school in Tasmania. In recent years a group of divers from MRTS, a Russian construction contractor, obtained their ADAS (Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme) air and saturation diving certification in the Russian language.

Steve Ham, Commercial Director at The Underwater Centre, believes offering training in other languages is a huge benefit to subsea companies around the world. He said: “HSE and ADAS are rightly seen as the gold-standard for subsea training. If your team has international certification, you are showing a commitment to being the best, and you will gain a competitive edge when tendering for work.”

Any companies interested in non-English courses at The Underwater Centre should contact +44 1397 703786 or corporate@theunderwatercentre.com.

Location: Fort William, UK