News

Four members of Pile Drivers Local 56 affiliated with the North Atlantic States Regional Council have successfully completed training to become commercial divers at a UBC training facility in New Jersey. They are the first members of NASRCC to participate in the training which opens the door to valuable work opportunities in marine construction.

The Eastern Atlantic Carpenters Training Fund purchased an existing diving academy in 2022 to support expanded marine construction, including off-shore wind projects. The 10,000 square foot facility in New Jersey is the only union-owned commercial dive school in the United States and has been opened up for use by selected members throughout the Eastern District of the UBC.

Dilla McDonagh, Bob Patterson, Pat Maltsev and Safire Fuentes began the four-month training in February which included four 10-hour days. The group rented an apartment together in the area for convenience were able to come home on weekends. Paterson called the time commitment a significant sacrifice, but that he appreciated the “opportunity for the betterment of our careers” and that it would “instill a lot of pride in us.”

“We were excited to present this opportunity to our members,” said Local 56 Representative John Dunderdale. “The need for qualified divers is going up and the commitment required to provide training for individuals to become certified really plays to the strengths of our union.”

The Jersey-based facility extends related marine construction training offered here in the region. The North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund’s Millbury facility was the first in the country to offer tank-based underwater welding to certified divers Safire Fuentes is a second-year apprentice in Local 56 who entered the union with welding experience. She said she’s long-dreamed of underwater welding and was excited that she got a taste of it during the training.

“It’s still hard to grasp that I’m a commercial diver,” she said. “It’s surreal but I’m grateful that I got this opportunity. I want more training with different tools and underwater welding, but I’m ready to start working anytime I’m needed!”

Prior to being accepted to the program, members are required to have an ADCI dive physical and be certified for open water SCUBA. For more information contact Local 56 or the North Atlantic States Carpenters Training Fund.