16. DIVING OPERATIONS

16.0 POLICY

Scientific diving is a normal part of oceanographic research vessel operations. Such diving conducted from a University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) vessel must be under the auspices of a diving program that meets the minimum American Academy of Underwater Sciences' (AAUS) Standards for Scientific Diving Certification and Operation of Scientific Diving Programs. Operators without a program may accommodate scientific diving cruises which are under the auspices of an institution with such a diving program.

16.1 DIVING PROCEDURES, RULES AND REGULATIONS

For all cruises a single lead institution's campus diving administration will be designated. This is usually accomplished by agreement of all campus diving administrations involved. Items which refer to the campus diving administration may, in fact, be the concern of the Diving Safety Officer according to the practices of the institutions involved. The procedures, rules and regulations that govern the diving operation are those of the designated lead institution, subject to the approval of the operator's Marine Office.

16.2 CRUISE PLANNING

In a timely fashion prior to the cruise:

• 1. The Principal Investigator will insure that a cruise dive plan is supplied to his or her campus diving administration who will forward the cruise plan, once approved, to the lead institution's campus diving administration and the Chief Scientist. The dive plan, prepared in a standard format includes: diving credentials for all diving members of the scientific party, detailed operational plans, emergency plans including accident management and emergency evacuation protocols, a list of needed medical supplies, a specified quantity of medical grade oxygen with a positive pressure demand delivery system and required diving support equipment (e.g., small boats).
• 2. The lead institution's diving administration will, after approving this plan, forward it to the operator's Marine Office.

16.3 CRUISE PERSONNEL

• 1. The Master has responsibilty for the safety of all activities aboard including diving (Section 14.4).
• 2. The Chief Scientist is responsible for the coordination and execution of the entire scientific mission (Section 14.5).
• 3. The Principal Investigator of the diving project (who may or may not be the Chief Scientist) is responsible for the planning and co-ordination of the research diving operations.
• 4. The On-Board Diving Supervisor will be proposed by the Principal Investigator and approved by the lead institution's diving administration. The On-Board Diving Supervisor is responsible for the execution of the research diving operations in accord with the cruise dive plan. He or she has the authority to restrict or suspend diving operations and alter the cruise dive plan in consultation with the Master and the Principal Investigator/Chief Scientist. The On-Board Diving Supervisor's responsibilities include:
  a. Meeting with the Master and Chief Scientist to review the cruise dive plan and emergency procedures prior to diving.
  b. Remaining in regular communication with the Master on the progress of the research diving operation.
  c. Assuring that both the lead and operating institution's diving manual are available to the scientists and crew aboard the vessel.
  d. Inspecting high pressure cylinders and breathing air compressors to assure that they meet the lead institutions' standards.
• 5. Research Divers must recognize their individual responsibility for their safety.