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Job Role
Mine Clearance Diver
Job Role

Mine Clearance Diver

You’ll identify mines or other explosives and dispose of them, whether they’re in shallow water or out at sea.

TechnologyAdventureOutdoor jobsTacticalWarfareStrategicApprenticeships

High interest role

This is a highly competitive role with potential long lead time to join.

You may wish to consider joining the Royal Navy in one of these similar roles:

  • £18,500 - £56,000
  • No qualifications
  • Surface Fleet
  • Warfare
  • Rating level

At a glance

From the moment you join, you’ll train to become a world-class diver, travelling the world as part bomb disposal expert, part sub-aqua specialist. IIt’s physically demanding, but hugely rewarding.
royal navy clearance diver approaching underwater mine
When the unmanned systems can’t be used to dispose of a device, I’m the person everyone looks to. Knowing that I’m playing a big part in keeping people safe is a great feeling.

Tom

Mine Clearance Diver, Warfare branch

Role details

What you’ll do

From the moment you join, you’ll train to become a world-class diver, wherever you are in the world. Being a Royal Navy Mine Clearance Diver means you’re part bomb disposal master, part sub-aqua specialist. Because there’s only a handful of divers on any ship, you’ll form close bonds with your team and be central to their – and your crewmates’ – safety. This is one of the most physically demanding roles in the Royal Navy. And it’s hugely rewarding too.

Your role

  • Play a central role in maritime counter-terror operations, whether you’re shore-based or on board a ship.
  • Work collaboratively and inspire team morale, from pairing up on dives, to helping prepare your mate’s equipment.
  • Embrace constant challenges, develop your skills, and have the opportunity to progress quickly to a Command role. 
  • Learn how to deal with a range of ordnance, from state-of-the-art mines to World War Two devices.

Pay & benefits

  • A salary that rises to at least £23,496 after initial training
  • Earn in excess of £56,383 as your career develops
  • An excellent pension scheme
  • Six weeks of paid holiday every year
  • Free medical and dental care
  • Additional diving pay of at least £4.62 per day when qualified

Skills for life

Qualifications you'll gain

  • We’ll make a contribution towards GCSEs, Masters degrees, and everything in between
  • Specialist vocational qualifications as your career progresses

Skills you'll develop

  • The ability to work accurately and calmly under extreme pressure in challenging and potentially dangerous situations
  • How to use hydraulic tools and hand tools to conduct basic underwater engineering
  • Various search methods on air and mixed gas diving life support equipment while working to a maximum depth of 60 metres

Eligibility

  • Aged 18 to 37
  • You must be a United Kingdom citizen or British Dual National. Dual Nationality restrictions do apply
  • You must have lived in the UK for 5 years continuously prior to application
  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) between 18 and 28 (between 17 and 27 if under 18)
  • Pass the Naval Swimming Test
  • A full UK Driving Licence covering manual vehicles must be held when you apply

Skills & Interests

  • An ability to thrive in high-pressure situations
  • A love of teamwork
  • A passion for life at sea
  • A sense of adventure
  • A high level of physical and mental fitness

Joining Process

From picking your role to starting on your first day, these are the steps you'll take to join as a rating.

Career Progression

From responsibilities to pay, find out where this role can take you.

Got a question?

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