Naval Construction Training Center - Underwater Construction Team Training
Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) for UCT Divers
In the early program days, it was recognized that that both officers and enlisted would require additional training and qualifications for professional development. For the enlisted community, curricula were initially developed at the 31st Naval Construction Regiment in Port Hueneme and subsequently formalized and transferred to Underwater Construction Training School, Delta Company, Naval Construction Training Center (NCTC) at Port Hueneme, CA.
Early UCT Diver Training
After completing 2nd Class diver training, Seabee divers were eligible to be selected for Basic Underwater Construction Technician training. This involved 6 weeks of training in basic underwater construction techniques and technology.
Once Seabee divers completed 1st Class diver training, they could attend the 4-week long Advanced Underwater Construction Technician training also at NCTC. An essential part of the Advanced students’ curriculum was leadership training to supervise the Basic students in field training operations.
NCTC UCT diver training was moved to the Navy Diving and Salvage Training Center, Panama City in the 1990's under BRAC realignments. All Navy divers are trained in diving operations at the Navy Diving School now located in Panama City, FL. Seabee Construction divers then attend additional training to become fully qualified UCT divers.
Today's UCT Diver Training
The Basic Engineer Diver (BED) course is designed to train Seabee Ratings E-3 through E-5 with formal individual and team training necessary to safely and effectively accomplish the mission of the Underwater Construction Teams (UCTs) during peacetime and contingency operations. The course length is 23 weeks in duration and includes the following topics: Dive Physics, Dive Medicine, SCUBA, Surface Supplied Air Diving, Small Craft Operation, Salvage Techniques, Underwater Construction Techniques, Maritime Survey Techniques, ROV Operations, and Precision Demolition. This Course is held at Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC), Panama City Beach, FL. Upon completion of this course graduates are awarded NEC B17A (Underwater Construction Technician Basic) and are authorized to wear the Navy 2nd Class Diver insignia.
The Underwater Construction Advanced course is designed to train graduates of the BED course who have completed a tour of 3-5 years as an Underwater Construction Technician Basic. The course length is 18 weeks in duration and includes the following topics: Diving Supervisor Training, Project Planning and Management, and Demolition Operations Supervision. This Course is held at Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC), Panama City Beach, FL. Upon completion of this course graduates are awarded NEC B16A (Underwater Construction Technician Advanced) and are authorized to wear the Navy 1st Class Diver insignia.
The Master Diver evaluation course is designed to evaluate E-7 and above Underwater Construction Technician Advanced Divers. This course is 5 weeks in duration and includes: Mission Planning and Briefing Techniques, Diving Systems Certification Management, and Diving Supervision. Upon successful completion of this course graduates are awarded NEC B18A and are authorized to wear the Navy Master Diver insignia.
