Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the alignment of two submerged pipe sections and to an apparatus for performing this method.The invention comprises the use of two lifters for lifting the pipe sections to be joined together until their ends are substantially parallel. A liner is lowered with slightly negative buoyancy up to the pipe sections and above their ends which are to be joined together. It is fixed to said section by its clamping means and is made to bear freely on the sea bed via retractable feet permitting the lateral sliding of the liner. The final alignment phase of the pipe section is obtained by the clamping means of the liner and from inside the welding chamber in which are located the ends of said pipe sections.