Commercial divers will be trained to detect unexploded ordinance (UXO) in a new partnership between Ramora UK and the Professional Diving Academy, Dunoon.

The partnership means the Professional Diving Academy will be fully accredited by Ramora UK to enhance its existing commercial diver training courses with a 2 day module in underwater UXO detection and identification techniques.

The course will focus on awareness and identification of unexploded items and will include the use of diver operated magnetometers. The Aquascan DX 300 Magnetometer has been chosen for this purpose.

The PDA will provide this course within its Premier Career Package, or alternatively as a 2 day standalone course for divers who wish to enhance their skills.

David Welch, Managing Director at Ramora UK, said: “We are delighted to be entering into this strategic partnership with the Professional Diving Academy.” “As leaders in our respective fields we see this as a perfect fit, combining Ramora UK’s expertise in explosive ordnance disposal with the PDA’s leadership in commercial diver training.”

Neil MacMillan, Training Manager at the Professional Diving Academy, said: “For commercial divers, this is an area that has not been covered in great detail by traditional training courses and this partnership will ensure that divers trained by us can now be given proper awareness in UXO surveying, detection and identification.” “It also cements the Professional Diving Academy’s reputation as a worldwide leader in recognising the current trends of the diving industry and delivering the required training courses that enables divers to achieve competence in their specific field of operations.”