Ep 14. Ice Salvage Crew

In Dirty Jobs season 4 episode 14, titled "Ice Salvage Crew," host Mike Rowe travels to the icy waters of the Puget Sound to join a team of salvage divers tasked with recovering wreckage from sunken ships. The job is dangerous and physically demanding, as the crew has to navigate through freezing water and strong currents while wearing heavy gear and carrying equipment.

Rowe starts his day by getting suited up in a drysuit, mask, and fins, and then meets the ice salvage crew in their floating dive shack. The team works for a company called Global Diving and Salvage, which specializes in marine construction, emergency response, and underwater salvage. As they head out to the dive site on a small boat, the crew explains the challenges they face when working in cold water, such as hypothermia, frostbite, and reduced visibility.

When they arrive at the wreck site, Rowe watches as the crew uses a sonar system to locate the debris field and then sends a diver down to inspect the area. The diver uses a handheld camera to survey the wreckage, which includes metal beams, pipes, barrels, and other debris scattered across the seafloor. The crew identifies the pieces they can salvage and marks them with buoys for later retrieval.

Rowe then joins the team in the water, where he experiences firsthand the physical strain of salvage diving. The cold water saps his energy quickly, and he struggles to keep up with the other divers as they swim against the current and lift heavy objects. Rowe is impressed by their stamina and teamwork, and he jokes with them about the perks of being a salvage diver, such as finding lost treasures and getting a workout on the job.

As the day continues, the crew brings up several pieces of salvage, using a crane on their boat to lift them onto the deck. Rowe helps them sort through the debris, looking for anything of value or interest, such as old machinery, tools, or artifacts. The crew tells him that some of the sunken ships they salvage have historical significance, such as being used in World War II, and that they feel a sense of responsibility to preserve the artifacts for future generations.

Rowe also learns about the environmental impact of sunken ships, which can release pollutants and disrupt marine ecosystems if left unchecked. The crew explains that they follow strict regulations and procedures to minimize any harm, such as using special equipment to contain oil spills and avoiding disturbing sensitive habitats.

Throughout the episode, Rowe highlights the skills and expertise required to work in the salvage diving industry, including physical fitness, technical knowledge, and risk assessment. He also emphasizes the importance of teamwork and communication, as the crew members rely on each other for safety and efficiency.

The episode ends with Rowe reflecting on his experience as a salvage diver, and thanking the crew for allowing him to tag along. He acknowledges the hard work and dedication of the ice salvage crew, and says that their job truly qualifies as a dirty job – one that requires bravery, endurance, and a willingness to get dirty, wet, and cold.