Underwater Cutting
Underwater Cutting
Underwater cutting to sever, crop, and remove steel, pipe, cable, and structure below the waterline, using oxy-arc and mechanical methods where hauling out is not an option. Gulf Coast and inland rivers.
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Tell us about your underwater cutting scope.
Underwater cutting removes and severs steel, pipe, cable, and structure below the waterline, where hauling the work out of the water is not practical. Fixt Marine cuts underwater for vessel operators, marine contractors, industrial facilities, ports, and salvage projects across the Gulf Coast.
Our divers cut underwater using oxy-arc (exothermic) cutting for steel and, where appropriate, mechanical and hydraulic cutting tools. The right method depends on the material, its thickness, the access, and what has to happen after the cut.
What we cut
- Damaged or obsolete steel piling and structure
- Pipe, conduit, and casing
- Wire rope, cable, and chain
- Fouled or wrapped running gear
- Wreckage and debris during salvage
- Brackets, attachments, and fixtures on hulls and structures
- Sheet pile and structural members
Underwater cutting methods
Oxy-arc (exothermic) cutting
Oxy-arc cutting uses a consumable electrode and a stream of oxygen to cut through steel and other metals. It is the workhorse method for cutting and removing steel underwater, from thin plate to heavy structural sections.
Mechanical and hydraulic cutting
For some materials and situations, mechanical and hydraulic tools such as saws, shears, and grinders are the better choice. We match the tool to the material, the thickness, and the conditions at the work site.
For heavier steel removal and demolition-type work, see our underwater burning service. When the job is to join or repair steel rather than remove it, see our underwater welding service.
Safety and control
Underwater cutting produces heat, gas, and sparks, and it is only as safe as the plan around it. Every cut runs under topside control with a tended diver and a standby diver on site, and we account for trapped gas, stored energy, and what the structure will do once it is cut.
Who we serve
We provide underwater cutting for vessel and barge operators, marine construction and salvage contractors, ports and terminals, and industrial waterfront facilities across the Gulf Coast and inland river systems.
How it works
Our process
Simple, careful, and clear from start to finish.
- 01
Assess the work
We confirm the material, thickness, access, and what needs to happen after the cut, along with any stored energy or load the structure is carrying.
- 02
Plan the cut and method
We select oxy-arc or mechanical cutting, plan the sequence, and set up rigging or support so nothing shifts unexpectedly when the cut is made.
- 03
Prepare and isolate
The area is cleaned as needed, hazards are controlled, and the diver is positioned under topside control with a standby diver on site.
- 04
Make the cut
The diver cuts the steel, pipe, cable, or structure to plan, in stages where required, while topside monitors and controls the operation.
- 05
Clear and verify
Cut sections are rigged out or recovered, the area is checked, and the result is documented when included in the scope.
Questions
Underwater Cutting FAQs
What can you cut underwater?
How is underwater cutting different from underwater burning?
Do you cut steel pilings?
Can you cut cable, chain, or fouled running gear?
Is underwater cutting safe?
Other services
Need underwater cutting?
Tell us the vessel or structure, the location, and the scope. We will size the crew, the dive plan, and the turnaround, and mobilize when you need us.