UCT-1 / UCT-2 - Underwater Construction Teams

The Underwater Construction Teams are a component of the Naval Construction Battalions, more commonly known as SeaBees, and have the unique capability to provide a wide range of underwater repair and construction expertise. Truly amphibious in nature, capabilities include shallow and deep-water structures, mooring systems, underwater instrumentation, light salvage, and precision blasting.
A UCT is capable of accomplishing both inshore and deep ocean tasks, operating as an independent unit or as augment to other organizations. UCT's maintain three deployable Air Detachments, Alpha, Bravo & Charlie, traveling to a dozen or more project sites during the deployment cycle.
Underwater Construction divers have the same diving equipment as other fleet divers and MDSU units, including MK 21 helmets, MK 20 lightweight masks and SCUBA. UCT-2 also has a nitrox capability and EXO-26 masks. Both units have fly-way dive systems and recompression chambers.

UCT-1 is based out of the Naval Amphibious Base at Little Creek, Virginia and has a mission of construction and demolition in a combat environment. They also perform construction, repair and maintenance work on harbor installations such as piling repair and grouting. UCT-1 also maintains the underwater cables and ASW training sensors in Hawaii.

UCT-2 out of Port Hueneme, California, has the responsibility for all ocean and waterfront facilities under the purview of Commander in Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC), which includes the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, portions of Antarctica, portions of Africa, and potions of the Middle East. During homeport they conduct military training, advanced diver and in-rate training, commercial schools, equipment maintenance and project planning for the next deployment cycle.


Specialized Underwater Construction Equipment

Hydraulic Tools- UCTs maintains a wide assortment of oil hydraulic tools for underwater or topside use, including rock drills, impact wrenches, band saws, grinders, pile cutters, pressure intensifier, cutoff saw, and chain saw.
Hydrographic Survey- UCTs can perform hydrographic surveys using the Differential Global Positioning (GPS) Hydrographic Survey System and HYPACK software, which allows survey teams to quickly prepare survey plans, perform field data collection, edit the data, and present the data in a mobile station which can be deployed in a small boat.
Water Craft- UCTs have several small boats including 25' Boston Whalers, 15' and 19' inflatable zodiacs. In addition, the Team also utilizes large amphibious crafts called Lighter Amphibious Resupply Craft (LARC-V's), which are 35' wheeled vehicles capable of operating on both land and water.
Remote operated Vehicles (ROV)- currently capable of deploying an electrically powered ROV to 500' vertically or horizontally
Blasting- UCTs are also capable of performing precision terrestrial and underwater blasting using military or commercial explosives. Members are specifically trained to perform surgical demolition.