Introduction
Scientific research diving provides many interesting challenges. The challenges are compounded when divers require research vessels to provide a staging platform for their dives and especially when these dives are in remote locations. The integration of a dive party with a research vessel crew requires extensive planning and coordination. When the dive party is from an institution which differs from the ship's institution additional elements come under consideration. Diving safety is of paramount importance and because various organizations and operating entities can be involved special planning is needed. The purpose of this document is to address safety issues associated with scientific research diving as they relate to research vessels. This document provides planning tools necessary for the safe conduct of shipboard diving aboard UNOLS ships.
Background
The academic oceanographic research community, represented by UNOLS, recognized a need to review the safety aspects of research diving from UNOLS vessels. A workshop was convened 18-20 February 1990 to review the issues and to make recommendations to the community. The product of this workshop was the Final Report of The Workshop on Scientific Shipboard Diving Safety. Limited copies of this report are available at the UNOLS Office and the entire report can be accessed through the UNOLS Home Page <http://www.gso.uri.edu/unols/unols.html>.
On 23 October 1995 a small working group (Appendix I) met to review the 1990 workshop report and to make recommendations as to whether a new workshop was needed to rewrite the report or only minor changes were necessary. This working group concluded that the report was still valid and that an addendum report could provide the update to the 1990 publication. This document is that addendum report.
Addendum Report
Forwarded as part of this addendum report are the revised Findings and Recommendations from the 1990 workshop. These are included as Appendix II. Also included is a reprint of a sample "Pre-Cruise Dive Plan", Appendix III , and the revised chapter of diving from the RVOC Research Vessel Safety Standards (Appendix IV).
The most critical factor in conducting academic research diving from UNOLS research vessels is effective communications between all parties involved.