Chris Fishburn, owner and operator of Waterline Maintenance
Chris Fishburn, owner and operator of Waterline Maintenance
Chris Fishburn, owner and operator of Waterline Maintenance

About Waterline Maintenance

Owned and operated by Chris & Jessie Fishburn, Waterline Maintenance focusses on providing cost effective and innovative commercial diving services for our clients across New Zealand.

Chris is an ADAS Level 3 Diver, an ADAS Level 3 Dive Supervisor, a Kirby Morgan Technician and has been operating as a dive supervisor for over twelve years in the inshore diving industry in Aotearoa/New Zealand.  He has extensive commercial diving experience ranging from inland hydroelectric reservoir work, marine construction, jetty & wharf maintenance, through to pile repairs.  Chris also has a background in furniture making, boat building and is a qualified skipper.

We also provide innovative ROV services. We operate our ROV’s (remotely operated vehicles) alongside our SSBA (surface supplied breathing apparatus) equipment, to further our commitment to diver safety. These ROV’s are used to provide visual data in 4K for the client, to replace the use of divers on SCUBA, and as a cost-effective inspection alternative. The ROV’s have also increased our salvage capabilities beyond air diving depths, with a recovery job being carried out in 75 meters of water.


Waterline Maintenance Helmet Background
Waterline Maintenance Helmet Background

Our primary commercial dive platform is an 8.5metre aluminium trailer vessel ‘Moana Toa’. This vessel along with our 5.5m dive barge ‘Odax’ and a fully equipped dive command trailer, operate nationwide and are able to be towed to harbours, inland waterways and reservoirs.

Our focus as a company is operating a safe and efficient underwater work environment, using SSBA equipment, a large range of tooling, equipment and ROV’s to ensure all our clients’ varied needs are met.


Waterline Maintenance's two main vessels
Waterline Maintenance's two main vessels
Waterline Maintenance's two main vessels

Work Platforms

Moana Toa, main diving vessel

Moana Toa – MNZ130138

• 8.5m Aluminium trailer vessel

• Inbuilt HP airbank

• AC & DC power source

• Emergency diver recovery boom

Odax, second diving vessel
Odax, second diving vessel
Odax, second diving vessel

Odax – MNZ143433

• 5.5m Aluminium barge

• 50hp outboard

• Low profile for under wharf works

• 2m wide, stable dive platform

• Available for dry hire

Dive command trailer, for commanding diving work
Dive command trailer, for commanding diving work

Dive Command Trailer

• Fully self-contained dive trailer

• Inbuilt HP airbank

• AC & DC power source

• Perfect for sites where vessels are not required

Dive Command Trailer

• Fully self-contained dive trailer

• Inbuilt HP airbank

• AC & DC power source

• Perfect for sites where vessels are not required

SSBA Dive Equipment

  • Kirby Morgan KM97 helmet with 455 regulator & comms

  • Kirby Morgan KM37 helmet with 455 regulator & comms

  • Kirby Morgan KM27SL helmet with 455 regulator & comms

  • Kirby Morgan BM28 with 455 regulator & comms

  • Kirby Morgan BM18 with 350 regulator & comms

  • 2 x KMACS-5 Dive Panels with comms

  • Range of umbilicals from 50m – 200m with and without CCTV

  • Outland Technology CON-3500 Dual Diver CCTV

Commercial diving team in full equipment
Commercial diving team in full equipment
Commercial diving team in full equipment
Diver displaying diving equipment and helmet
Diver displaying diving equipment and helmet
Diver displaying diving equipment and helmet
Diving equipment on boat
Diving equipment on boat
Diving equipment on boat
The diving vessel Odax, being lifted to water
The diving vessel Odax, being lifted to water
The diving vessel Odax, being lifted to water
Diver performing underwater maintenance
Diver performing underwater maintenance
Diver performing underwater maintenance
Commercial diver with chainsaw being filmed by ROV
Commercial diver with chainsaw being filmed by ROV
Commercial diver with chainsaw being filmed by ROV
Diver performing underwater maintenance
Diver performing underwater maintenance
Diver performing underwater maintenance
Driver being filmed by ROV
Driver being filmed by ROV
Driver being filmed by ROV

In Water Tools & Equipment

Comprehensive range of hydraulic tools including:

  • Hydraulic Powerpack

  • 20T Porta Power

  • Automated Pile Cleaner

  • Chainsaw

  • In-water Welding Equipment

  • Diamond Wire Saw

  • Sinker Drill

  • Rock Breaker

  • Hammer Drill

  • 9” Grinder

  • 12” Cutoff Saw

  • Drill

  • Impact Wrenches

  • 4” Hydraulic Trash Pump

  • Precision Core Drill Rig

  • Grout Pump & Mixer

  • Hull Scrubber

General Equipment including:

  • Worksite Generators

  • HP Compressors

  • Water Lances

  • Suction Venturi/Dredging

  • Water Blasters 4000psi & 5000psi

  • 250amp Engine Driven Welder

  • Broco (in-water thermal lance) equipment

  • 50m Welding Leads

  • Range of Lift Bags from 100kg – 10 Tonne per bag

ROV's (Remotely Operated Vehicles)

ROV's (Remotely Operated Vehicles)

ROV's (Remotely Operated Vehicles)

Our ROV’s replace the need for SCUBA operations in our commercial diving services by undertaking visual inspections of in-water structures. They also enable us to continue working in areas with shipping restrictions for manned diving operations.

The ROV’s are able to perform tasks during deep water operations outside of air diving capabilities, and are equipped with basic tooling for a number of tasks.

Our ROV’s replace the need for SCUBA operations in our commercial diving services by undertaking visual inspections of in-water structures. They also enable us to continue working in areas with shipping restrictions for manned diving operations.

The ROV’s are able to perform tasks during deep water operations outside of air diving capabilities, and are equipped with basic tooling for a number of tasks.

Our ROV’s replace the need for SCUBA operations in our commercial diving services by undertaking visual inspections of in-water structures. They also enable us to continue working in areas with shipping restrictions for manned diving operations.

The ROV’s are able to perform tasks during deep water operations outside of air diving capabilities, and are equipped with basic tooling for a number of tasks.

ROV about to launch from work vessel
ROV about to launch from work vessel
ROV about to launch from work vessel
Underwater view from ROV
Underwater view from ROV
Underwater view from ROV

Chasing M2 Pro

150m depth capability with 4K video feed

ROV in water
ROV in water
ROV in water
View from ROV camera
View from ROV camera
View from ROV camera

Chasing M2 Pro Max

200m depth capability with 4K video feed

Inspection Equipment

Inspection Equipment

Inspection Equipment

Buckleys BathyCorrometer Pro Mk7

The BathyCorrometer Pro Mk7 is the latest generation of the tried and tested, industry standard BathyCorrometer with has provided reliable service for subsea corrosion surveys since 1971.

This piece of equipment enables us to provide accurate information on the protection levels of in-water metallic structures. From sheet piling to piles and mooring chain, taking the guess work out of anode installations and positioning.

Buckleys BathyCorrometer Pro Mk7, inspection equipment
Buckleys BathyCorrometer Pro Mk7, inspection equipment
Buckley use underwater
Buckley use underwater
Buckley use underwater
Commercial diver wearing Cygnus DIVE Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
Commercial diver wearing Cygnus DIVE Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
Commercial diver wearing Cygnus DIVE Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge
Cygnus DIVE Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge in use in underwater inspection
Cygnus DIVE Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge in use in underwater inspection
Cygnus DIVE Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge in use in underwater inspection

Cygnus DIVE Ultrasonic Thickness Gauge

The Cygnus DIVE is a robust, wrist-mountable ultrasonic underwater thickness gauge. Providing the diver an invaluable free hand while performing Ultrasonic Thickness. Measurement (UTM) underwater. The large bright display with live A-Scan is easily viewable by both the diver and their camera, even in the poorest visibility. Ideal for hull UTM inspections, civil engineering, marine structures, subsea pipelines, in-water structures and equipment. Two probes are available for use, covering measurements between 1mm – 250mm.