well it takes about two to three years to break out depends on you and if the gulf is booming..... just dont think your going to come to the gulf as a underwater welder there isnt alot of wet welding your a under water construction worker not a underwater welder pipelines are the biggest thing in the gulf working on platforms there is no welding on a pipeline everything is welded topside and then everything subsea is bolted up with flanges so welding is a good school good trade to fall back on in the winter when diving slows down so it would be somthing to make extra cash when your on the beach....