EXHIBIT 32.1


                    CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
                       PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
                             AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
                  SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the accompanying Quarterly Report of Cal Dive International,
Inc. ("CDIS") on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2004, as filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"),
I, Owen Kratz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CDIS, hereby certify
pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

         (1)      the Report fully complies with the requirements of section
13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

         (2)      the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in
all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of
CDIS.


Date: November 4, 2004


                                        /s/ OWEN KRATZ
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                        Owen Kratz
                                        Chairman and Chief Executive Officer