Pulp Mills

Pulp and paper mills present another challenging and highly specialized diving environment. These industrial facilities often involve warm-water effluent channels, chemical treatment lagoons, settling ponds, clarifiers, log booms, mill raceways, and submerged mechanical components such as mixers, rakes, augers, and water handling systems. Water conditions in pulp mills can vary dramatically—from heavily sedimented to chemically altered—requiring divers to wear appropriate thermal protection, contamination gear, and surface-supplied equipment.

Because pulp mills generate fibrous waste, divers frequently encounter thick slurry, low-oxygen zones, entrained debris, and tangled materials that significantly reduce visibility. Blackwater diving is standard, and divers must be capable of conducting inspections, repairs, and equipment retrieval without relying on vision. Tasks often include clearing intakes, clearing jammed equipment, cleaning pump systems, repairing trash racks, inspecting outfalls, and recovering lost tools or machine parts.

Environmental hazards may include fluctuating temperatures, chemical residues, slippery substrates, and confined structures with complex geometries. Prior to diving, our team conducts detailed job hazard analyses, lockout/tagout procedures, and communication planning to ensure pumps, valves, and mechanical agitators are safely isolated.

Many pulp mill dives also occur within partially enclosed or fully enclosed systems—requiring continuous topside monitoring, redundant air supply systems, and emergency retrieval protocols. Our divers are trained for these confined, equipment-heavy environments through both practical experience and targeted industrial training. Because pulp mills rely heavily on consistent water flow, rapid response is often required to minimize downtime. Our team is equipped to mobilize quickly and provide efficient, safe underwater solutions for mills across Western Canada.