Not all divers should be allowed to do underwater work

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It does not take much to become a commercial diver.

Just taking a five-day scuba diving course allows you to be hired as one, after which the company will provide in-house training.

But diving among fishes and corals in places like Tioman island is very different from using a blowtorch to weld ship parts or navigating around dangling cables in murky waters.

And although it has been four years since the authorities recommended a higher standard of training and certification for commercial divers, this has not been followed.

Commercial Diving Association Singapore chairman Edwin Tan said: “How can it be that divers who dive for fun are qualified to work in a dangerous marine environment?”