Diver Allan was all smiles as he qualified to go in at the deep end
A young Renfrewshire man became one of Britain’s first certificated divers in November 1975.
Allan Millar, 25, of West Gavin Farm, Howwood, was the only Scot among 10 divers who were presented with their certificates at the Underwater Training Centre at Loch Linnhe.
They had just completed the first course to be run to the Training Agency’s standards for commercial diving – and spearheaded a new generation of divers who would have a nationally-recognised training background.
Already, Allan had received offers of work from firms in this country and abroad, and he was looking forward to a future of possibly earning in excess of £15,000 at year at his arduous occupation.
The newly-qualified diver was waiting word of a job in North Africa.
“I should hear some time to day from a firm who are working on a deep-water harbour at Tripoli,” he said.
He explained that he needed to have a year’s commercial diving experience before returning to Loch Linnhe for further training.
This would include a mixed gas and deep-diving course.
During the six-week course the divers would be trained to operate at the great depths required by North Sea oil rig companies.
Allan added: “I have been well trained and know of the dangers and safety aspects of working underwater.”
The young diver had been working in the family business – Robert Millar (Contractors) Ltd – since leaving school an went to the JobCentre at Johnstone to investigate the possibility of embarking on a diving career.