Malaysian woman quits office job to pursue career as a commercial diver

'While diving might seem intimidating to some, I feel empowered underwater,' says Fatin. Photos: Fatin Nadzirah Mohd Arsad

As a commercial diver, Fatin Nadzirah Mohd Arsad has had her fair share of adventures under water.

“Once, while drilling underwater with my husband, I accidentally fell along with the hydraulic drill (that had slipped from its hold) about three metres down after drilling one hole. Thankfully, there was mud at the bottom, and there were two other divers who helped me.

“(From that experience) we learnt to always secure the drill after (we’ve completed) each hole. The key takeaway is not to panic, so you can find a solution if something were to happen; and to learn from mistakes to prevent future incidents,” said Fatin, who has also been stung by jellyfish while on the job.

Fatin is one of a handful of female commercial divers in Malaysia.Despite these challenges, she isn’t daunted in the least because, well, she truly loves her job.

“I think it’s because my passion for diving is really strong,” explained Fatin, who has completed over 200 commercial dives to date.

The 33-year-old is proud to be one of just a handful of active female commercial divers in Malaysia.

“There’s a common misconception that women can’t handle jobs traditionally seen as more suited to males. Some people think this job is physically demanding, especially carrying heavy equipment and diving for long hours, and that it is dangerous. But in reality, with the right skills, training and equipment, these tasks are manageable,” said Fatin, adding that another reason women shy away is because they don’t feel comfortable in the wetsuit worn on dives.

For Fatin, commercial diving is a job that is both rewarding and fulfilling.

“Being underwater is incredible... and we go to various depths too,” the friendly woman added.

Commercial diving is a type of underwater diving conducted by professional divers to perform tasks related to industrial activities. These tasks can include underwater construction, inspection, maintenance, and repair of structures such as oil rigs, bridges, dams, and pipelines. Commercial divers may also be involved in underwater welding, cutting, salvage operations, and even environmental cleanup efforts.

Fatin finds diving empowering and loves being underwater.Divers use specialised equipment and tools and don diving suits (known as Farmer Johns or Janes) to carry out their duties.

Fatin remembers being bullied by her male peers when she first started out as a commercial diver. The bullying was because she was a woman, not because she lacked the skills or knowledge to get the job done.

But she persevered, refusing to let the bullying get to her.

“Initially, some guys doubted my abilities simply because I’m a woman. They tried to overwhelm me by giving me extra work, but I refused to let them break me. I used to cry, but I never gave up.

“The more they said I couldn’t do the job, the more determined I became. Now, they recognise my strengths and treat me as an equal member of the team.”

Fatin feels it is crucial to encourage everyone, regardless of gender, to pursue their passions. She thinks no job is too difficult for women, who possess the guts and courage to take on and succeed in any challenge.

“If I can do it, I think other women can succeed in this field too. It boils down to interest and the willingness to try something new,” said Fatin, who has been a female commercial diver with a KL-based comapny, for over three years.

Fatin is married to fellow commercial diver Ahmad Saifuddin Ahmad Sapawi, 35. They met in 2012 during a scuba diving trip at Bidong Island, Terengganu. The couple has three daughters, who are four, seven and 10.

Braving the tides

Fatin said she’s always loved water-based sports and activities. The former student from SM Taman Melawati in KL even worked as a swim instructor while she was schooling.

“From a young age, I’ve always been drawn to water-based activities. In school, I competed in swimming, and after completing my secondary education, I became a part-time swimming instructor to earn extra pocket money. I had always dreamed of earning my diving license.”

Fatin and Ahmad Saifuddin share a passion for underwater exploration.

She finally fulfilled that dream in 2009.

“I was passionate about working as a dive instructor, but my mother insisted I keep my focus on academics. After high school, I pursued a diploma in information technology at a private university in Kuala Lumpur. For a few years, I worked as an office administrator at an offshore consultancy company in KL,” she said.

Even though she was a busy officer worker, Fatin never stopped dreaming of the sea.

“While diving might seem intimidating to some, I feel empowered underwater. It gives me a sense of freedom,” said Fatin, who currently co-runs a diving centre with her husband in Pulau Tioman in Pahang.

Fatin manages the demands of her high-stakes diving career while ensuring quality time with her children.The go-getter decided to get her commercial diving license in 2021. Fatin shared that Ahmad Saifuddin was a huge support during this time. It wasn’t easy, she shared, as it took a good deal of training, effort, and expenses.

To be considered for (commercial diving) jobs, a diver must have several certifications, including one from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, the Construction Industry Development Board and the Australian Diver Accreditation Scheme.

These courses don’t come cheap, explained Fatin who spent over RM50,000 to get the necessary certifications.

“The training courses are expensive because we need special equipment and hands-on practice in tough situations. There are strict safety rules, and divers have to know what to do in emergencies. We also need to pass medical tests to make sure we are healthy enough to dive,” said the slender woman who maintains her fitness through swimming, gym workouts, jogging, and cycling.

Once she obtained her certifications, it was only a matter of time before Fatin left the nine-to-five grind to pursue a career as a commercial diver.

“Again, it wasn’t easy to convince my mother to allow me to leave my job. She was concerned about my safety, especially since I am a mother of young girls. It was my stepdad who encouraged me to pursue my passion for diving. Over time, my mother came around and gave me her blessings,” said Fatin, who works in the same company as her husband.

Giant strides

There are two types of divers: Inshore (coastal) and offshore (open sea), each operating within specific distances. Fatin and her husband are both inshore divers, operating within two kilometers from the shore, in waters up to 30 metres. Offshore divers go down to depths of over 50 metres.

“We use a dive table to manage our dives according to different depths. It’s crucial not to exceed these limits to avoid health risks such as decompression sickness, hypoxia, and pressure-related injuries. For example, at a depth of eight metres, we are limited to a maximum dive time of four hours,” said Fatin, whose job takes her to various locations in the Strait of Malacca and South China Sea.

Fatin handles complex underwater tasks, from construction to recovery operations.Among the job she’s done are running inspections on and cleaning large water catchment facilities in the Klang Valley and, occasionally, conducting recovery exercises that involve, for example, retrieving fallen boat engines.

She has not yet, however, been assigned to search for missing bodies, she said.

“Before each project, we hold a meeting with engineers and project managers to collaborate on the plan. During the operation, several divers enter the water to complete the assigned tasks. We are guided by cameras and lights, while a supervisor and an additional team on deck provide instructions through wireless communication.

“As with any job, there are dangers, so it’s essential for the team to work together to address and resolve any issues that arise.

“One of the biggest challenges is managing pressure changes, strong currents, and limited visibility, especially when working at night.”

Her job requires her to be away from home for anywhere from a few days at a stretch to several weeks.

She is grateful to have a reliable helper who takes care of her children while she is away, and that her her parents live nearby and can also keep an eye on the situation on the homfront.

“I do miss my family so much when I’m away for work. So, sometimes, when I have assignments (nearby, like) in Melaka, if I miss my husband and daughters too much, I’ll drive back to KL to be with them, then return to Melaka the following day,” said Fatin.

Fatin aspires to earn a saturation diving certification, aiming to take her skills and career to even greater depths.

One plus point of the job is that it pays relatively well which allows Fatin the space to be selective about her assignments allowing her time to spend with her young family as well.

“We are paid by day, and we can earn a daily rate of between RM400 and RM600. If there’s a job in Singapore, we earn in Singaporean currency which is really good.”

Her next goal is earning herself a saturation diving certification, which is another specialised field that involved deeper and more prolonged underwater operations. The cost for this certification can be over RM100,000.

She wants to be the first Malaysian female commercial diver with this qualification.

“I can enter the Malaysia Book of Records if I attain this,” she says, steely determination in her eyes.