Whether pulling two-tonne weights off beaches or completing 140-nautical-mile recovery missions, Perth’s Offshore Diving Services relies on equipment that won’t let them down. After clocking an impressive 4,500 hours on a pair of Mercury 150hp SeaPro Commercial Outboards, the team upgraded to a new twin setup earlier this year.
The family-owned business specialises in salvage, mooring installation, underwater welding and anode installation, regularly working with the Department of Primary Industries, Department of Transport, WA Water Police and Water Corp.
Powering their custom eight-metre aluminium dive boat, Director Glen Johnson installed the new SeaPros in February after years of reliable service from their previous engines.
“When we’re doing mooring work on the Swan River, we could be doing anywhere between 50 and 100 gear shifts a day, so the outboards get a good workout,” Glen said. “Some of the clump weights we pull off beaches weigh up to two tonnes, and we’ll do static pulls for 15 to 20 minutes. Through it all, we haven’t had any issues with overheating or oil pressure.”
The team swaps between 13-inch, 15-inch and 17-inch propellers depending on the task, optimising performance for towing, mooring work and lighter duties. “The SeaPros have been solid for us. I don’t think any other brand would cope with what we put them through.”
Reliability and fuel efficiency are equally critical during remote operations, where crews can spend up to two weeks away from shore. “Sometimes we’re 70 nautical miles offshore on a vessel recovery—that’s a 140-nautical-mile round trip—so we carry up to 700 litres of backup fuel,” Glen said. “We’re often dealing with challenging situations, so knowing the outboards won’t fail us gives us peace of mind to focus on the job.”
Built for demanding commercial applications, Mercury SeaPro outboards feature reinforced components, including upper mounts that are twice as stiff as recreational models, helping them withstand heavy-duty use.
Regular servicing has also played a key role in the engines’ longevity, with Offshore Diving Services maintaining a strict 100-hour service schedule. “These guys are on top of maintenance—they never miss a service, and that’s clearly a big reason these engines have lasted so well,” said HiTech Marine owner Tony Spiteri.
After 4,500 hours of proven performance, upgrading to a new pair of SeaPros was an easy decision, ensuring Offshore Diving Services is ready for years of demanding work ahead.
