Diving Policy for R/V WECOMA

OSU Diving Control Officer -- Jim Washburn (503)737-6893

Scope
This statement is not intended to provide a definitive guide to all aspects of diving from R/V WECOMA, but is intended to provide an orientation to the institutional policies regarding diving.

General Statement
Scientific diving is a normal part of oceanographic research, and as such will be accomodated aboard WECOMA, provided that all reasonable and necessary safety precautions are observed. Any diving undertaken from WECOMA must be under the auspices of Oregon State University's Diving Program which meets the minimum standards of the AAUS.

Diving Control
Any and all diving from WECOMA or her small boats will be controlled by Oregon State University's Diving Control Office (DCO). The procedures, rules and regulations that govern diving operations for a particular cruise will be those of the Institution, but the Marine Superintendent at OSU has final authority regarding personnel, rules and regulations. The Master has responsibility for, and ultimate authority over, diving operations conducted from WECOMA or her small boats.

Cruise Planning
In a timely manner (starting at least four months prior to cruise departure), the principal investigator (chief scientists) will supply verification of approved diving credentials to the Diving Officer for all participants in diving operations. Where appropriate, detailed dive plans will be supplied to the Diving Office.

The Marine Superintendent will be supplied with a summary of credentials and plans by the DCO at least two months prior to cruise departure. A diving supervisor will be proposed by the principal investigator (chief scientist), subject to the approval of the lead DCO and the Marine Superintendent. Following appointment, the diving supervisor will become the main point of contact for scientists participating and for the WECOMA (Marine Superintendent, Master, crew, and Marine Technician). It is the responsibility of the diving supervisor to provide the following:

  1. Brief the Master, mates, and Marine Technician on the details of planned science diving, and procedures to be followed.
  2. Well in advance, inform the Marine Superintendent regarding what diving emergency medical supplies should be aboard. These are supplied by the ship facility where possible.
  3. Assure that a copy of the DCO's diving manual is aboard, and available to the crew and scientists.; This copy should be filed on the bridge, for ready reference.
  4. Prepare, in advance, emergency plans which are acceptable to both the lead DCB and the Marine Superintendent.
  5. Act, at all times, as principal controller and supervisor of diving operations. Before diving, divers should submit, verbally or in writing, a detailed dive plan to the supervisor for approval. The supervisor will then communicate the plan to the bridge for final go-ahead. No diving is to be undertaken without the knowledge of both the diving supervisor and the captain or watch officer. Failure to follow this last procedure can result in revocation of diving privileges for the duration of the cruise.

Operational Guidelines
Wherever and whenever safety permits, diving will be accommodated from WECOMA or her small boats. Small boats can be operated by the scientific party, or by a member of the ship's crew. At all times when divers are in the water, a small boat will stand by to assist. Night diving is strongly discouraged, but not prohibitied. In the event of night dives, night-dive safety procedures will be strictly enforced.

Diving can be supported from WECOMA's small boats. Diving directly from the ship is discouraged for safety reasons, but not specifically prohibited. Where feasable, all diving should be done from small boats.

Individual dive plans should include the nature of the dives, expected duration, expected depth, personnel participating, and support plan. It is assumed that all dives from WECOMA are for scientific purposes. Recreational diving will be totally at the discretion of the Master, in consultation with the chief scientist and diving supervisor. Recreational dives are those not necessary to the science planned and, as such, are expendable.

Certification, Diving Rules, Equipment, Medical & Emergency Procedures
Please refer to OSU's Diving Guide which is available upon request from the Marine Operations Coordinator.

NOTE: All cylinders must be secured aboard ship in an appropriate manner.

Compressed Air
There is no diving-quality compressed air available aboard WECOMA. Scientists must make their own arrangements for compressors. Prior to the cruise, certification of air quality for all compressors must be supplied by their owner(s) to the DCO and the Marine Superintendent. All compressors must be installed and operated in accordance with manufacturer's specifications and OSU's minimum standards.

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