Courtesy photo At right, Krachinski, left, and his former Bay College ­welding instructor David Konkel stand on the dive dock at CDA Technical Institute in Jacksonville, Fla.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Maximus Krachinski graduated from CDI Technical Institute Jan. 28 in Jacksonville, Fla. Krachinski, a North Central graduate, is the son of William and Christine Krachinski of Bark River. Prior to enrolling at CDI to become a commercial diver, Maximus attended Bay College, where he earned a certificate in welding, and an associates degree in applied science in addition to several American Welding Society certifications. Krachinski spent 800 hours over the course of five months to complete the commercial diver (underwater welder) program at CDI. Becoming an commercial diver/underwater welder is perhaps one of the most difficult paths a welder can choose to take.

Krachinski had initially discussed attending underwater welding school during his time with David Konkel, his former instructor at Bay college. Underwater welding is commonly brought up among students first entering the welding field according to Konkel. Krachinski is the first and only student Konkel recalls ever having actually taken the leap to achieve the title. When Krachinski told his former instructor his intentions, Konkel jokingly said, ” if you graduate underwater welding school, I’ll be there buddy”. A few years later, Konkel proudly made the trip to Jacksonville to watch Krachinski graduate.

Krachinski is now weighing his career options within the underwater construction trades in the Great Lakes and surrounding areas.