Navy Dive School
In addition to its own personnel, the Navy trains all NZ Army, NZ Police and NZ Customs Divers. Military Dive Training support is also supplied to Singapore, Malaysia, Fiji, Tonga and Samoa.
The Navy Operational Diving Team.
Although Military Diving is the primary focus, the Navy Dive School qualifies all its Divers in Construction Diving. These qualifications are internationally recognised. Training is strict and arduous. The product is a well-disciplined, focused and professional diver. The Navy prides itself in providing only the best people from its training establishments.
Image on right: Navy Divers during training.
Divers in RHIB
Training
After new personnel have completed the 14 week Basic Common Training course all ratings go through, the Navy Dive School's four week Defence Diver course trains them in Military Diving to a maximum depth of 30 metres in order to:
* Complete seabed and ship's hull searches;
* Complete all maintenance relating to military diving;
* Complete all shipborne underwater husbandry tasks; and
* Position Limpet mine disposal equipment.
Diver entering the water from a
pontoon alongside KAHU
After 15 hours diving time has been achieved with the Operational Diving Team at PHILOMEL in Devonport, Divers begin the Able Diver course, which is 21 weeks in duration and covers:
* Compressed air diving to 50 metres;
* Mixed gas diving to 54 metres;
* Surface supply diving to 50 metres;
* Attack swimming using 100% oxygen on a rebreather set;
* Advanced first aid course;
* Heavy trade and four wheel drive licence course;
* Underwater photography and video;
* Mine counter measure searches and tasks;
* Beach mine clearance; and
* Above and underwater demolition and explosives training.
Diver on steps into the sea
The Diving School currently awards 30 NZQA Unit Standards in occupational diving. Navy diving qualifications equate to a recognised Class 2 Construction Diver. After further promotional leadership and management courses, Navy Divers have the opportunity to attend various professional courses in the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom. On completion of these courses Divers have an internationally recognised ADAS qualification in Construction Diving.
The Operational Diving Team badge
The Operational Diving Team badge is based on the protective Maori symbol He Tekoteko.
He Tekoteko is a carved figure that stands at the peak of a wharenui (Maori Meeting House), defiant to all weather conditions. It provides strength, inspiration, spirit and knowledge, and guards against obstacles that may block its path.
Held above He Tekoteko's head is a sea mine. The addition of a sea mine gives He Tekoteko a Diving Sea Warrior identity. His pledge is to strive to protect all in his team with the core values of courage, strength and loyalty.
The koru (markings on the body and face) represent the scars received through the intense training a Navy Diver endures throughout his career and the many pathways one must follow to become a Diver.
The Operational Diving Team Motto
'Whakamaaia, Whakakaha, Whakapono'.
'Courage, Strength, Loyalty'.
Press-ups
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