Commercial Diving in Denmark and Greenland

To perform commercial diving, you have to have a certificate and have your equipment surveyed

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The Danish Maritime Authority issues the diving certificate free of charge.

Professional diving training programmes takes place on one of the diving schools approved by the Danish Maritime Authority. 

The Danish Maritime Authority approves diving schools. The schools teach and arrange exams in accordance with guidelines issued by the International Diving Schools Association (IDSA). 

Diving schools currently approved by the Danish Maritime Authority:

Danish Naval Diving Qualification Course

In addition, the Danish Maritime Authority accepts approved vocational education and training included on the IDSA or the Health Service Executive (HSE) list:

At the Labour Market Training (AMU) webpage, there is an overview of courses related to diving operations offered by schools approved by the Danish Maritime Authority:

Commercial divers performing diving operations must hold a certificate proving that they have been the subject of a medical examination for divers, which is valid for the diving operation concerned.

At intervals of maximum 1 year, it must be renewed by the diver being subjected to a medical examination and being found fit for diving operations. In Denmark, only special diving doctors appointed by the Danish Maritime Authority must carry out medical examinations. The medical examination is free of charge.

Diving equipment used in connection with offshore diving operations must have been surveyed and approved by the Danish Maritime Authority.

Offshore diving operations mean diving operations (Order no. 1396 of 2013. § 2):

  • At installations.
  • At pipelines outside the territorial waters of ports used in connection with pipe-carried transport of hydrocarbons.
  • At depths exceeding 50 metres.
  • From dynamically positioned ships.
  • At offshore wind farms.
  • Where a risk analysis shows that it is necessary to impose correspondingly stricter requirements.
  • Where it is, due to the nature, extent and conditions of health and safety of the diving operation, necessary to impose correspondingly stricter requirements.

In case of doubt, whether a diving operation is considered as offshore diving please contact the Danish Maritime Authority:

Fixed and non-fixed offshore diving systems

Fixed offshore diving systems:
Fixed offshore diving systems must have been surveyed and approved by the Danish Maritime Authority. On the basis of this approval, the Danish Maritime Authority issues a certificate permitting the holder to operate in the Danish territory and Danish continental shelf area. 

CE marking:
Personal protection equipment must be CE marked in accordance with national law in an EU member Sate or a country covered by the EEA Agreement and implementing the directive on personal protection equipment.

Non-fixed offshore diving systems:
Non-fixed offshore diving systems and their composition must also be surveyed and approved by the Danish Maritime Authority and, on the basis hereof, a permit is issued to operate in the Danish territory and Danish continental shelf area. This permit is issued for each individual diving operation.

Validity and cost:
A survey by the Danish Maritime Authority cost DKK 850 (2024) per hour. Normally, such permits will be issued with a validity of 1 year. 

If you want to file a complaint on decisions made by the Danish Maritime Authority, please contact the Danish Maritime Authority:

Denmark

Greenland

Consolidated decree no. 1738 of 16 December 2015 on the entry into force for Greenland of the act on diving operations and diving equipment.

Written by the Danish Maritime Authority

Last updated: 05 April 2024

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