Business Details
21 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Trusted Commercial Diving Services in Portsmouth
Established in 2005 by founder Ruben Stephenson, RS Divers has grown from a small yacht preparation business to one of the UK's leading inshore commercial diving companies. Our team of over 15 highly qualified divers and marine civil engineers delivers a comprehensive range of underwater services across the UK and Europe. With decades of combined experience, we specialise in marine civil engineering, emergency salvage operations, shipping support, and confined space diving while maintaining a 100% safety record. Our technical expertise is complemented by ISO 9001 certification and CHAS accreditation, ensuring adherence to the highest industry standards. We pride ourselves on rapid response times for 24/7 emergency services and have successfully completed thousands of projects for government agencies, utility companies, and port authorities.Our commitment to innovation is demonstrated through the use of advanced technology including ROVs, 3D cameras, and diver location systems. The Portsmouth-based office team ensures seamless project coordination from initial consultation to completion, maintaining transparent communication throughout. With a proven track record in complex underwater welding, dredging, and structural inspections, we combine traditional expertise with modern methodologies to deliver reliable solutions. Our dedication to continuous improvement drives regular training and adoption of best practices, ensuring we remain at the forefront of commercial diving technology and techniques.
Services
Marine Civil Engineering
Emergency Salvage
Underwater Welding
Confined Space Diving
Ship Maintenance
Sewage System Repairs
Pontoon Hire
Swimming Pool Maintenance
ROV Surveys
Flood Protection
Details
- Year established: 2005
Highlights and features
- 24/7 emergency response with rapid mobilisation across the UK
- ISO 9001-certified quality management systems
- Over 50 years combined diving experience in our teams
- Specialist equipment for underwater welding up to 66m depth
- Proven track record with government infrastructure projects
Associations and certifications
- CHAS
- ISO 9001
What people say
Speed and professionalism
Trusted partners
Can do approach
Difficult jobs made simple
Excellent emergency service
Services
Marine Civil Engineering
Our marine civil engineers deliver underwater welding, dredging, and structural repairs for docks, bridges, and offshore installations. Using specialist equipment like BROCO torches and concrete mattresses, we perform scour protection and lock gate maintenance. With ISO 9001-certified processes, our team handles projects from small repairs to large-scale demolition works in tidal and river environments.
Emergency Salvage
We provide 24/7 emergency salvage services for submerged vessels and cargo using side-scan sonar and lifting equipment. Our divers perform underwater cutting, hull clearance, and propeller repairs to restore shipping operations. With rapid mobilisation across the UK, we handle both planned wreckage projects and urgent recovery operations for insurance companies and maritime agencies.
Underwater Welding
Certified divers perform wet and dry underwater welding up to 66m depth using specialist equipment. We offer cutting services with Cardox CO2 systems and PVL Gas Cutting Torches for structural demolition. Our welding solutions include hull repairs, pipeline maintenance, and cathodic protection installations while maintaining CHAS accreditation standards.
Confined Space Diving
We conduct inspections and repairs in challenging environments including sewage tanks, pipelines, and submerged vessels. Our team uses ROVs for inaccessible areas and follows strict safety protocols for working in tunnels and culverts. With specialist training in hazardous environments, we perform cleaning, structural assessments, and decontamination services both above and below water.
Ship Maintenance
We offer comprehensive ship maintenance including propeller polishing, anode replacement, and hull inspections. Our divers perform underwater repairs to avoid dry docking costs, using multispeed hydraulic tools for cleaning and maintenance. We support both emergency repairs and planned maintenance for commercial vessels, yachts, and naval ships across UK ports.
People
Ruben Stephenson
Managing Director
Founder Ruben Stephenson established RS Divers in 2005 with a vision to become the South Coast's premier commercial diving company. With extensive experience in racing yacht preparation and offshore operations, he has grown the business to employ over 15 divers while maintaining hands-on involvement in major projects.
Questions
How do you perform underwater welding?
We use wet welding with waterproof equipment up to 66m depth and dry hyperbaric chambers for critical joints, following strict safety protocols and certification standards.
What emergency services do you offer?
24/7 rapid response for vessel salvage, propeller clearance, structural repairs and underwater cutting operations across UK coastal and inland waters.
Can you work in confined spaces?
Yes, our divers are trained for operations in tanks, pipelines and submerged structures with strict safety protocols for hazardous environments.
What accreditations do you hold?
We maintain ISO 9001 certification for quality management and CHAS accreditation for health and safety compliance.
How do salvage operations work?
We use sonar mapping and lifting equipment to recover submerged vessels and cargo, coordinating with insurance companies and maritime authorities.
Do you offer planned maintenance?
Yes, we provide scheduled inspections and repairs for ships, dock structures and underwater infrastructure to prevent emergencies.
