'DIVER' The Book, By Tony Groom

Tony's book DIVER tells the story of his life and times as a member of the elite Royal Navy Clearance Diving branch and life beyond, in Civvy Street as a Commercial Oilfield diver.

Receiving my copy of DIVER. hand delivered by the author.

Reviews of DIVER

Reviews

Major General Julian Thompson, CB,OBE
Diver by Tony Groom
The Royal Navy Clearance Divers, not the SAS, are the British mystery unit of the Falklands War of 1982. They did not even appear in the first edition of the Official History -- now put right. It is fair to say that without them it is highly likely that the British would have lost the war. But this is more than a book about the Falklands War. It tells the story of some of the bravest and most professional men in the Royal Navy. The gripping accounts are spiced with `black' humour of the sort that only men engaged in a dangerous profession can really appreciate. Read this book and you will learn why. You will want to turn every page.

Julian Thompson
Commander, 3 Commando Brigade Falklands 1982



Admiral Sir Jonathon Band KCB ADC. First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff
Throughout my career in the Royal Navy I have had the privilege and honour to work with a number of Mine Clearance Divers, and each time I have been struck by their supreme levels of professionalism and dedication. Underwater bomb disposal, often in the cold waters and zero visibility of the seas and ports around the UK, is not for the faint-hearted and often requires levels of courage, stamina and sure-footedness that exceeds that expected in other military disciplines.

Such a hazardous lifestyle creates bonds amongst its proponents that are exceptionally close, along with a unique and highly developed sense of humour (you have been warned!).

The demands of commercial saturation diving are no less rigorous. In this book Tony Groom provides a fascinating, no-holds-barred account of his remarkable life and of the world of professional naval and civilian divers.

His story is gripping, humbling and highly amusing in equal measure - all the more so for the matter-of-fact manner in which he tells it.

From clearing unexploded bombs lodged in ships during the Falklands war, to hair-raising exploits in the oil fields of the North Sea, he shines a light on a calling that demands the coolest of heads and extreme courage.

I strongly commend it to anyone with an interest in extraordinary human endeavour or the sea.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO TONY GROOMS WEBSITE. www.deep-sea-diving.com