This year, Subsea Global Solutions celebrates 80 years of delivering innovative underwater solutions to the maritime, cruise, offshore, and oil & gas industries. From our earliest roots in the 1940s to our present global footprint, our history is a story of pioneers, problem-solvers, and dedicated diver-technicians who helped shape the subsea industry.

Torrance Parker: A Pioneer of Commercial Diving

When we look back on 80 years of maritime innovation, it is impossible to tell the story without honoring Torrance R. Parker, founder of Parker Diving Service.

Parker Diving Service was established in 1945 in San Pedro, California. At just 19 years old, Torrance Parker became the youngest diver in the Pile Drivers and Divers Union Local 2375, and soon after launched his own diving company. Initially a small sole proprietorship, Parker Diving grew into a cornerstone of the commercial diving industry.

Parker was more than a diver. He was a trailblazer who helped transform diving into a respected profession. At a time when underwater work was still in its formative stages, he championed professionalism, safety, and technical excellence, principles that remain embedded in our company’s DNA today.

Beyond his leadership in the field, Parker also became a historian and chronicler of the profession. His books, including 20,000 Jobs Under the Sea and 20,000 Divers Under the Sea, captured the stories, challenges, and innovations of the diving community. By documenting the sacrifices and breakthroughs of divers across generations, he ensured their legacy would not be forgotten.

When Parker Diving became part of what is now Subsea Global Solutions, it carried forward Torrance Parker’s values into a new era. His influence continues to be felt in every project we undertake and in the culture of excellence that defines our global teams.

Uniting Global Expertise

Parker Diving now known as Subsea Global Solutions has stood as the oldest continuously operating commercial diving company in the world. What began as a pioneering underwater service provider in the 1940s has evolved into a global leader in underwater maintenance, repair, and inspection. Through every decade, the company’s growth has been shaped by a relentless commitment to safety, innovation, and technical excellence. Over the following decades, other respected companies emerged across North America, Asia, and Europe including Miami Diver and All-Sea Underwater Solutions. Each brought specialized expertise: ship husbandry, underwater repair, biofouling management, and large-scale marine construction.

From its early years, Parker Diving helped define the foundations of modern commercial diving. The company set industry benchmarks by developing specialized tools, new underwater repair practices, and professional standards that elevated the expectations of shipowners, utilities, and maritime operators. As diving technologies and regulatory requirements advanced, the company not only adapted—it led the way, helping shape procedures that became widely adopted across the industry.

In 2011, several of these legacy firms merged to form Subsea Global Solutions. The vision was clear: to combine decades of regional experience into a single organization capable of providing turnkey underwater solutions anywhere in the world.

That integration created a true global leader, bringing together hundreds of diver-technicians, engineering support teams, and long-standing client partnerships under one name.

Our Growth Today

Today, Subsea Global Solutions operates from 13 offices across five continents, with more than 200 highly skilled diver-technicians supported by engineers, project managers, and technical specialists. We serve many of the world’s busiest seaports, delivering services ranging from underwater class surveys and biofouling management to complex repairs like thruster removals, stern seal replacements, and permanent wet welding.  

Marine Construction SGS provides critical infrastructure for marine construction diving services that support the ongoing operation and safety of aging underwater assets. Our dive teams are experienced in working on complex and sensitive structures such as hydroelectric power plants, dams, aqueducts, and a wide range of waterfront facilities. This includes performing specialized underwater pile repairs, ensuring the stability and longevity of structures that are essential to water delivery, power generation, and marine operations. From detailed inspections and structural rehabilitation to supporting major repair efforts, SGS divers bring the technical skills, safety focus, and adaptability required to maintain critical infrastructure. As these systems continue to age and their maintenance needs evolve, SGS remains committed to delivering reliable, solutions-driven support that keeps vital facilities functioning efficiently and safely.

Our commitment to safety, reliability, and innovation continues to drive us forward. By developing new technologies, refining methodologies, and building on our heritage, we remain the trusted partner for clients worldwide.

Honoring Our Heritage

As part of our 80th anniversary, we are proud to share a series of Heritage Spotlights on the companies and people that became part of Subsea Global Solutions. From the pioneering work of Torrance Parker and the founding of Parker Diving in 1945, to the global reach achieved through mergers with Miami Diver, All-Sea, and others, our legacy is built on innovation, resilience, and an unwavering drive to deliver excellence beneath the waves.

By honoring our past, we celebrate the individuals and companies who shaped our journey, and we carry their spirit into the future as we continue to lead the subsea industry worldwide.

Interested in learning more about our 80 year history? Visit our company history page to keep reading.

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