Introduction

Bovisand has developed into the comprehensive Underwater Centre that it is
due to its ideal location on the edge of the sea with its own private harbor and
ready access to both open and sheltered water.

The main Fort is one of 22 forts built in the mid 19th Century to defend Plymouth against attack from both land and sea. It was manned by Coastal Defence Forces until the mid 1950's, but the original guns were taken out in the 1890's. 
Although it saw some action in the 1st and 2nd World Wars, all that remains today is the building itself, a massive gun emplacement, and a number of ancillary buildings, all set in 14 acres of a coastline of outstanding natural
beauty.

The center also enjoys a 144 bed hotel, bar and restaurant all of which are currently undergoing extensive refurbishment to ensure that your visit to Fort Bovisand will be an enjoyable one.
They also train from the Breakwater Fort. This is a circular, free standing fort, located in the middle of Plymouth Sound, which hosts a wide variety of underwater tasks for inspection and training.

In 1970 renovation and conversion began and currently all the facilities necessary to teach every aspect of diving are in place. There are 12 classrooms, a large lecture room and the normal training aids.

Commercial diver training

Fort Bovisand Underwater Centre is a leading International Underwater training organisation, offering a wide range of Basic, Advanced and Specialist Courses for both the Offshore and Inshore Diving Industries. Courses are also scheduled in related activities for non-diving personnel.

Established in 1970, Fort Bovisand has a large number of fully qualified and experienced instructional staff, as well as comprehensive facilities. In 1975 it was approved by the Government to teach the first Commercial Training
Standards and has maintained approval ever since.

Although the Centre trains several hundred divers each year, the student to instructor ratio for practical work ensures both a high standard of training and individual attention for each student.

The Centre has close links with the inshore and offshore diving industries for two reasons: because it has its own Marine Civil Engineering Department, and because it has personal contacts with the employers themselves, as well as
through organizations such as the Association of British Diving Schools (ABDS), the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), the Association of Diving Contractors (ADC), The International Diving Schools Association (IDSA)
and the Society for Underwater Technology (SUT).

It is also the only Commercial School that currently holds the International Quality Standard BS EN ISO 9001 for its Commercial and Sport Diving Operations.

A selection of their clients include:

Arab Academy for Science and Technology
Nigerian Port Authority
British Gas
Oceaneering International
Cable and Wireless Limited
Rockwater Limited
Hong Kong Fire Service
Shell UK Exploration & Production
Hong Kong Territory Development Department
Shetland Salmon Farmers Association
Indian Divers Co-operative Society Limited
South West Water
Marconi Underwater Systems Limited
Stolt Comex Seaway
National Rivers Authority
United Divers PVT Limited

For any further information on first aid, inshore, offshore, inspection and miscellaneous courses get in touch with: 

Fort Bovisand, Plymouth. PL9 0AB.
Tel: 01752 408021 Fax: 01752 481952
E-mail: fbuc@bovisand.co.uk

Courtesy of Bovisand Underwater centre LTD