Underwater Group

What Underwater Group does

Underwater Group is a Brazil-based professional training company headquartered in Macaé, Rio de Janeiro, specializing in Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) training and competency certification for the offshore oil and gas industry. The company is the only IMCA-certified ROV training establishment in the Americas and operates a single physical training academy at R. Mário Figueiredo Proença, 152/02, Imboassica, Macaé, serving individual ROV professionals, supervisors, surveyors, and technical support personnel through a multi-channel inquiry and registration process (website, WhatsApp, phone, email). It claims over 20 years of industry experience and positions itself as a market leader in ROV pilot training within the region.

The company's product platform consists of three interconnected service lines: (1) IMCA-aligned ROV Training Programs, including the 80-hour IMCA ROV Introductory Course plus specialized modules in fiber optics and telemetry, power and control (24 hours), torque tool (16 hours), hydraulics for ROV (16 hours), subsea operations engineering, and basic electronics; (2) the UWTCS Certificate of Competency, offering five certification levels (Pilot Technician Grade 2, Pilot Technician Grade 1, Senior Pilot Technician, ROV Supervisor, and Surveyor) for international industry recognition; and (3) ROV Accessibility Studies, a 3D simulation-based service using Class A ROV simulators for preparation, planning, and execution of subsea construction and operations. The simulator technology is sourced through a joint venture with Canadian simulation leader GRi Simulations Inc. established in 2016, providing configurable underwater scenarios, CAD equipment import, and real-time feedback for trainees.

Underwater generates revenue through professional services delivered on a quote-based inquiry model, with no publicly disclosed pricing. The go-to-market motion is sales-led, relying on direct outreach via website forms, WhatsApp Business, phone, and email, supplemented by organic social presence on LinkedIn and Instagram. Customers are concentrated in the offshore oil and gas vertical, with named testimonials from individual ROV pilots, supervisors, and diver/inspectors. The company is privately held, has approximately 18 employees, has no disclosed funding rounds, and operates exclusively through in-person classroom and simulator-based training at its Macaé facility.

Name

Underwater Group

Legal name

Underwater

Website

https://uwgroup.com.br

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Underwater Group is a Brazil-based ROV training and competency certification company, the only IMCA-certified training center in the Americas, serving offshore oil and gas professionals through in-person courses, 3D simulator-based accessibility studies, and a five-tier UWTCS certification program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Offshore ROV Training Services

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Other Schools and Instruction (6116)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Oil & Gas Field Services, Nec (1389)

akta.pro primary industry

Marine & Underwater Robotics (USVs/UUVs) (HDAAAIAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUV) & Autonomous Subsea Platforms (IMABAIAF), Maritime Unmanned Systems (USV/UUV) & Control Stations (IMABAKAJ)

Keywords

• ROV pilot training
• IMCA certification training
• Offshore simulator training
• Subsea operations training
• ROV competency certification

Headquarters

HQ city

Macaé

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. ROV Training Programs: Professional training courses including IMCA ROV Introductory Course (80 hours), Fiber Optics & Telemetry, Power and Control (24 hours), Torque Tool (16 hours), Hydraulics for ROV (16 hours), Subsea Operations Engineering, and Basic Electronics for ROV. Delivered in-person at Macaé facility with state-of-the-art simulators.
2. Competency Certification Services: UWTCS Certificate of Competency for ROV professionals. Technical assessment team reviews candidate backgrounds and skills, providing industry-recognized certificates. Certification levels include Pilot Technician Grade 2, Pilot Technician Grade 1, Senior Pilot Technician, ROV Supervisor, and Surveyor.
3. ROV Accessibility Studies: Simulation-based accessibility studies using 3D simulators for preparation, planning and execution of subsea construction and operations. Includes advanced visualization tools and configurable scenarios.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Underwater Group delivers professional ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) training courses, IMCA-recognized competency certifications, and 3D simulation-based accessibility studies for the offshore oil and gas industry. Course offerings include the 80-hour IMCA ROV Introductory Course plus specialized modules in fiber optics and telemetry, power and control, torque tools, hydraulics, subsea operations engineering, and basic electronics, all delivered in-person at its Macaé, Brazil facility using state-of-the-art Class A ROV simulators.

Product overview

Underwater Group operates as a unified ROV training and certification platform offering three interconnected service lines: (1) ROV Training Programs using state-of-the-art Class A simulators covering introductory courses, fiber optics/telemetry, power and control, hydraulics, torque tools, subsea operations engineering, and basic electronics; (2) UWTCS Certificate of Competency providing five-level professional certification (Pilot Technician Grade 2/1, Senior Pilot Technician, ROV Supervisor, Surveyor) for ROV industry recognition; and (3) ROV Accessibility Study providing 3D simulation and visualization services with CAD equipment importing and real-time feedback capabilities. The company is the only IMCA-certified training center in the Americas and operates a joint venture with GRi Simulations for high-performance simulator development.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ROV Training Programs Comprehensive ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) training programs equipping offshore professionals with the skills and knowledge to operate safely and efficiently in subsea environments, covering introductory through advanced piloting and technical topics.
• IMCA ROV Introductory Course 80-hour intensive introductory training for ROV personnel combining theory and piloting practice on Class A simulators to ensure proficiency in ROV operations.
• Fiber Optics and Telemetry Training Specialized training covering fiber optic connectors, measurement equipment, and ROV telemetry theory and practice.
• Power and Control Training 24-hour training program combining theory and practice for high-power electrical equipment operations related to ROV systems.
• Torque Tool Training 16-hour practical immersion training for understanding and applying techniques and instruments for ROV torque operations.
• Hydraulics for ROV Training 16-hour intensive training with balanced theory and practice approach for understanding and operating essential hydraulic components of ROV systems.
• Subsea Operations Engineering Training Training focused on Shift Supervisor/Survey function on board special vessels including PLSV, DSV, RSV, MPOV and other offshore vessels.
• Basic Electronics for ROV Training Training for technical professionals covering electronic theory, electronic tools and equipment familiarization, and practical skills in electronic systems and sensors applied to ROV.
• UWTCS Certificate of Competency Industry-recognized competency certification for ROV professionals offering five certification levels: Pilot Technician Grade 2, Pilot Technician Grade 1, Senior Pilot Technician, ROV Supervisor, and Surveyor, providing global credibility and international mobility.
• ROV Accessibility Study (3D Simulator Service) Advanced 3D simulation and real-time visualization services for preparation, planning, and execution of subsea construction and operations, featuring immersive underwater scene configuration, CAD equipment importing, ROV modeling, and real-time feedback.

Quantifiable outcome

• 80-hour intensive ROV training combining theory and Class A simulator piloting practice
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• GRi Simulations Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Since 2016, Underwater has been part of a successful Joint Venture with GRi Simulations Inc., a Canadian leader in simulations for the offshore industry. The partnership aims to offer high-performance ROV training and simulators, distinguished by excellence, innovation, and contribution to safety in global offshore operations.
• IMCA (International Marine Contractors Association)coreOthersIMCA is the international trade association for offshore, marine, and underwater operators. Underwater is the only IMCA-certified ROV Training Establishment Member in the Americas, providing rigorous standards and international recognition in ROV training.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Emerging players

• MATE Center (Marine Advanced Technology Education): U.S.-based organization coordinating ROV competitions and STEM-focused underwater robotics education. Partial overlap with Underwater in ROV skills development, but focused on education/competitions rather than industry-grade IMCA certification.

Direct peers

• The Underwater Centre: UK-based ROV pilot and diver training center in Fort William, Scotland, offering IMCA-aligned ROV courses, subsea training, and Class A simulator experience. Direct competitor in the ROV training category serving offshore oil & gas, with overlapping curriculum and regulatory positioning.
• Calanus AS: Norwegian ROV and commercial diving training provider serving the North Sea offshore market. Comparable to Underwater in offering certified ROV and subsea training courses, but operating in a different geography (Europe vs. South America).
• GRi Simulations Inc. Canadian-based leader in offshore simulation technology and Underwater's joint venture partner since 2016. Builds Class A ROV simulators and simulation content used by the offshore industry, making it both a partner and a peer in the subsea training technology space.

Broad incumbents

• Subsea 7: Global subsea engineering, construction, and services company operating ROV fleets for offshore installation projects. Overlaps with Underwater in ROV operations training, but as a much larger incumbent that internally trains its pilots rather than buying external certification.
• SMD (Soil Machine Dynamics): UK-based manufacturer of work-class ROVs and subsea robotic systems. Operates in the same broader offshore ROV ecosystem as Underwater, supplying the equipment the company's graduates will ultimately operate.
• DOF Subsea: International subsea services provider operating ROVs and offshore vessels globally. Comparable to Underwater in serving the offshore ROV workforce, but on the operator/services side rather than as a training institution.
• Forum Energy Technologies: Global subsea and offshore equipment manufacturer offering ROVs, manipulators, and tooling to the offshore industry. Broad incumbent in the same end market as Underwater, but sells hardware and integrated systems rather than training services.
• Saab Seaeye (Saab): Manufacturer of electric ROVs and underwater robotic systems for offshore, defense, and scientific markets. Adjacent incumbent that supplies the ROV platforms on which Underwater-trained pilots operate, and a potential partner or competitor depending on training program strategy.

Others

• Atlas Professionals: Global staffing and workforce solutions provider for the offshore energy industry, including ROV pilots and supervisors. Adjacent to Underwater as a buyer of ROV-trained talent, but does not provide training itself.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/underwater-rov-training
• Instagraminstagram.com/underwatertrainingrov

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Underwater Group