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Diver Services Contract

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DIVER SERVICES CONTRACT

THIS AGREEMENT executed on this the day of , 20 by and between

(hereinafter "Employer"), and (hereinafter "Diver").

NOW, THEREFORE, FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION of the mutual promises and agreements contained herein, Employer hires Diver, and Diver agrees to work for Employer under the terms and conditions hereby agreed upon by the parties:

SECTION 1- WORK TO BE PERFORMED

1.1 Term. Employer agrees to hire Diver, to perform the services and work as stated in section 1.2 of this agreement.

1.2 Duties. Diver agrees to perform work for the Employer on the terms and conditions set forth in this agreement, as follows:

1.3 Completion Date The work to be performed shall be complete on or before the day of 20 unless extended by Employer, in his/her discretion.

1.4 Liquidated Damages. In the event the work is not performed timely as specified herein, Employer shall be entitled to deduct $ per day from the compensation due Diver as liquidated damages.

SECTION 2 - COMPENSATION

2.1 Compensation. In consideration of all services to be rendered by Diver to the Employer, the Employer shall pay to the Diver the sum of $ .

Said compensation shall be paid:

daily weekly monthly upon full completion other

specify terms:

2.2 Withholding. Diver is an Independent Diver and shall be responsible for his/her own income taxes, worker’s compensation and other employment taxes.

SECTION 3 - INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR STATUS

Diver acknowledges that he/she is an independent contractor and is not an agent, partner, joint venturer nor employee of Employer. Diver shall have no authority to bind or otherwise obligate Employer in any manner nor shall Diver represent to anyone that it has a right to do so.

SECTION 4 - REPRESENTATIONS OF WARRANTIES OF DIVER

4.1 Diver represents and warrants to the Employer regarding the work to be performed as follows:

4.2 Diver represents that he/she is free to enter into this Agreement, and that this engagement does not violate the terms of any agreement between Diver and any third party. During the term of the agreement, Diver shall devote as much productive time, energy and abilities as is needed and necessary to perform the required duties in a timely and productive manner. Diver is expressly free to perform services for other parties while performing services for Employer.

SECTION 5 - INSURANCE.

Contractor shall obtain and maintain in force, at its own expense, throughout the performance of his/her/its obligations under this Agreement, insurance coverage against claims, regardless of when asserted, that may arise out of, or result from, Contractor's operations in connection with the services or duties described above. This insurance shall include the following coverage(s) that is(are) checked below:

Comprehensive General Liability

Contractor agrees to maintain a policy of insurance in the minimum amount of $ , including broad form contractual liability and personal injury endorsements, providing coverage against liability for bodily injury, death, and property damages for any negligent acts committed by Contractor or his employees or agents during the performance of any duties under this Agreement.

Workers Compensation and Employer's Liability (if required by state law).

Comprehensive Automobile Liability for bodily injury and property damage (covering owned and non-owned vehicles).

Other Insurance Requirements:

SECTION 6 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

6.1 The provisions of this Agreement shall be binding upon and for the benefit of the heirs, personal representatives, successors and assigns of the parties.

6.2 In the event of a default under this Agreement, the defaulted party shall reimburse the non-defaulting party or parties for all costs and expenses reasonably incurred by the non-defaulting party or parties in connection with the default, including without limitation, attorney's fees. Additionally, in the event a suit or action is filed to enforce this Agreement or with respect to this Agreement, the prevailing party or parties shall be reimbursed by the other party for all costs and expenses incurred in connection with the suit or action, including without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees at the trial level and on appeal.

6.3 No waiver of any provision of this Agreement shall be deemed, or shall constitute, a waiver of any other provision, whether or not similar, nor shall any waiver constitute a continuing waiver. No waiver shall be binding unless executed in writing by the party making the waiver.

6.4 This Agreement shall be governed by and shall be construed in accordance with the laws of the State of .

6.5 This Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties pertaining to its subject matter and it supersedes all prior contemporaneous agreements, representations and understandings of the parties. No supplement, modification or amendment of this Agreement shall be binding unless executed in writing by all parties.

6.6 If any provision of this Agreement is held unenforceable, then such provision will be modified to reflect the parties' intention. All remaining provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect.

6.7 Diver agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold Employer and his/her/their successors, officers, directors, agents and employees harmless from any and all actions, causes of action, claims, demands, cost, liabilities, expenses and damages (including attorneys' fees) arising out of, or in connection with any breach of this Agreement by Diver.

6.8 Employer may terminate this Agreement at any time by providing days’ written notice to Diver. In addition, if Diver fails or refuses to comply with the policies or reasonable directives of Employer, is guilty of serious misconduct in connection with his/her/their performance hereunder, or materially breaches any provisions of this Agreement, Employer may at any time and in its sole discretion terminate the engagement of Diver immediately and without prior written notice to Diver.

6.9 Diver shall not assign any of his/her rights under this agreement, or delegate the performance of any of his/her duties hereunder, without the express written prior consent of Employer.

WITNESS OUR SIGNATURES, this the day of , 20 .

EMPLOYER

DIVER

Enter text✕

What the Diver Services Contract Covers

A Diver Services Contract is a written agreement that sets the terms for underwater work performed by commercial divers, dive teams, or dive contractors for a client. It defines scope of work (inspection, salvage, repair, welding, survey), shift scheduling, deliverables, safety and emergency procedures, equipment responsibilities, certification requirements, insurance and indemnity, and payment terms. The contract allocates risk between client and contractor, establishes regulatory compliance expectations (OSHA maritime standards, Coast Guard rules where applicable), and creates an evidentiary record for billing, claims, and post-incident review.

Why a Clear Contract Matters for Diving Operations

A precise Diver Services Contract reduces operational risk, clarifies who supplies personnel and equipment, and documents safety and insurance obligations to limit disputes and avoid work stoppage.

Why a Clear Contract Matters for Diving Operations

Typical Parties and Users of a Diver Services Contract

Who usually prepares and signs these contracts depends on project scale: small operators use a contractor-drafted form, larger projects use client-standard agreements.

  • Commercial diving contractors and independent commercial divers — contract performance, crew, equipment, certifications and liability spelled out.
  • Marine construction and salvage firms — integrate dive schedules with project milestones, subcontractor coordination, and site safety plans.
  • Ports, utilities, and government agencies — require proof of insurance, indemnities, and compliance with local maritime rules.

Each signer should confirm authority, insurance coverage, and required certifications before work begins to avoid invalidation or coverage gaps.

Core Sections Every Professional Diver Services Contract Should Include

Include clear, standalone sections that address scope, safety, liability, payment, scheduling, and termination. Each section should be specific rather than relying on vague terms.

Scope of Work

Detailed description of tasks, deliverables, dive locations, depths, estimated hours, and acceptance criteria to prevent scope creep and billing disputes.

Safety Protocols

Reference dive plans, emergency procedures, medical support, decompression protocols, and the authority of the dive supervisor to halt operations.

Insurance & Indemnity

Specify required insurance types and limits, certificate delivery timelines, additional insured status, and mutual indemnification clauses addressing negligence and third-party claims.

Equipment & Maintenance

State which party supplies vessels, compressors, diving gear, and who is responsible for maintenance, inspections, and repair costs during the contract.

Compensation & Payment

Define rates (per diem, hourly, mobilization), invoicing schedule, retainage, payment terms (Net 30), and consequences for late payment or withheld funds.

Termination & Delays

Describe notice periods, force majeure treatment, scope for suspension, and remedies available for delays or contractor default.

Step-by-Step: Preparing and Executing a Diver Services Contract

Follow these practical steps to prepare, verify, and complete the contract so work can begin with necessary approvals and documentation.

  • 01
    Draft: Assemble scope, safety plan, insurance, and payment terms.
  • 02
    Verify: Confirm diver certifications, vessel compliance, and insurance certificates.
  • 03
    Sign: Execute by authorized representatives and obtain insurance certificates.
  • 04
    Retain: Store signed copy and daily dive logs for required retention periods.

Configuring an Online Workflow for the Contract

Set up a digital workflow to collect signatures, certificates, and attachments in the correct order and preserve an audit trail for compliance.

Field Configuration
Signer Order Specify role order: client first, then contractor, then insurer if required.
Authentication Level Choose email link, SMS code, or stronger ID verification as needed.
Required Attachments Attach insurance certificate, diver certifications, and dive plan before signing.
Reminders & Expiry Set automated reminders and link expiration to mobilization date.

Typical Routing: Who Receives the Contract and When

Map the document flow so each party receives the contract, supporting documents, and final executed copies in the correct sequence.

  • Client Review: Client reviews terms and uploads site permits or drawings.
  • Contractor Acceptance: Contractor confirms availability, divers, and equipment.
  • Insurer Acknowledgment: Insurer or broker provides certificate of insurance when required.
  • Final Distribution: All parties receive executed PDF with audit trail.

Digital Signing and File Formats to Support

Choose a platform that preserves a tamper-evident signed PDF, stores an auditable certificate of completion, and accepts required file types for attachments.

  • File Formats: PDF, DOCX, and scanned images supported.
  • Integrations: Connectors for Google Workspace and Microsoft 365 helpful.
  • Security: Requires TLS in transit and AES-256 at rest.

Typical eSignature Vendor Comparison for Contract Execution

Compare baseline eSignature pricing and capabilities that typically matter for contract-heavy operations. signNow is listed first per vendor ordering conventions.

signNow DocuSign Adobe Sign PandaDoc HelloSign
Starting Price $8/user/mo $15/user/mo $14/user/mo $19/user/mo $15/user/mo
Free Trial 7-day free trial Varies Varies Varies Varies
Bulk Send Yes Yes Yes Yes No
Audit Trail Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
HIPAA Compliant Yes Yes Yes No No

Essential Information and Documents to Collect

Diver Certification: Commercial diver license
Insurance Certificate: CGL and maritime coverage
Emergency Contact: 24/7 phone number
Vessel Details: Vessel name and registration
Dive Plan: Planned procedures and depths
Hazard Assessment: Site-specific risk analysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Preparing the Contract

  • Vague scope descriptions that omit maximum depth, hours, or acceptance criteria cause disputes and uncontrolled extra charges.
  • Failing to verify active insurance or additional-insured endorsements leaves the client exposed to uninsured losses or delayed mobilization.
  • Using unsigned or improperly authorized signatures — including initials alone — can render the agreement unenforceable or delay operations.
  • Neglecting to attach or update the dive plan, vessel certificates, or medical clearance documents creates regulatory and safety exposure.

Primary Legal and Financial Risks

Civil Liability: Third-party injury claims
Regulatory Fines: OSHA or maritime penalties
Insurance Denial: Coverage voided for noncompliance
Contractual Indemnity: Unexpected contractual liability
Project Delays: Mobilization or weather impacts
Tax Withholding: Worker classification disputes

Key Dates, Deadlines, and Processing Expectations

Track critical milestones and deliverables to ensure mobilization, compliance, and payment happen as planned.

Mobilization Date:

Date diver team must be ready on site

Insurance Certificate Due:

Deliver before mobilization; client review may take several days

Daily Dive Logs:

Maintain and retain daily for incident review

Incident Reporting:

Report serious incidents immediately; follow internal reporting timelines

Invoice Payment:

Standard Net 30 unless otherwise agreed

Frequently Asked Questions About Diver Services Contracts

Answers to common execution and compliance questions when preparing or signing a Diver Services Contract.


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