NOAA Circular 74-62

August 12, 1974

1. PURPOSE: This section prescribes the administration and safety rules for NOAA diving. NOAA Circular 72-19, dated 10 February 1972, filed as NDM 64-23, is hereby superseded.

2. GENERAL: NOAA programs frequently involve the need for competent underwater operations. The use of NOAA employees to meet these needs is vital to efficient and economic operations.

a. Purpose: The purpose of a diving safety program is:

(1) Safety: To ensure that all diving under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is conducted in a manner most likely to minimize accidental injury or occupational illness.

(2) Operational Standards: To set forth rules, regulations, and standards for selection, training, certification, supervision, and equipping of NOAA divers.

(3) Reciprocity: To establish a working reciprocity between Major Line Components (MLC) within NOAA, other government agencies, and private concerns involved in diving.

b. Policy: The policy of NOAA is to administer its underwater activities in a manner that safely and efficiently achieves its objectives and to maintain adequate protection for its employees, property, and those for whom it has a responsibility.

c. Scope: These regulations shall apply to all NOAA employees and NOAA sponsored personnel engaged in underwater activities, and shall be administered with NOAA's basic policies uppermost in mind.

d. Responsibility: Basic responsibility, while diving, rests with the individual. Line and staff management shall be responsible for conducting a safe and efficient diving program. Specific responsibilities will be defined in these regulations.

3. ADMINISTRATION: The Associate Administrator for Marine Resources shall broadly administer NOAA's underwater diving activities through the Director of the Manned Undersea Science and Technology Program.

a. NOAA Diving Coordinator:

(1) Designation: The Associate Administrator for Marine Resources shall, upon the advice of the NOAA Diving Safety Board, appoint a

APPENDIX C NOAA DIVING REGULATIONS

NOAA Diving Coordinator for the diving program who will be the principal contact within NOAA for diving operational policy and policy and safety procedures.

(2) Qualifications: The NOAA Diving Coordinator shall be a trained diver with a wide range of experience, currently certified NOAA diver with at least five (5) years of diving experience, having logged at least four hundred dives, and having satisfactorily completed a nationally recognized instructor certification course or its equivalent.

(3) Responsibilities: The NOAA Diving Coordinator shall be a member of and chair the NOAA Diving Safety Board, and be responsible for:

(a) Diver training and safety programs, with the assistance of the Diving Safety Board. (b) Annual review, with the Diving Safety Board, of all NOAA diving operations during the preceding calendar year, submitting an annual report at the end of the fiscal year to the Associate Administrator for Marine Resources.

(c) Arranging and scheduling of inspections at each diving unit.

(d) Certification of NOAA divers in accordance with this order and issuing letters of authorization (See Exhibit 4).

(e) Delegating various training responsibilities, with Diving Safety Board recommendations, to other fully certified divers and instructors.

(f) Reviewing of all budgeted diving projects. (g) Reviewing and taking appropriate action on recommendations of changes in operating policy formulated by the Diving Safety Board.

(h) Reviewing all NOAA diving accidents or potentially dangerous experiences and issuing reports on preventive measures to ensure safe diving.

(i) Approving the use of specialized types of diving apparatus or gas mixtures, other than open-circuit scuba.

(j) Remain abreast of new diving techniques and innovations.

b. Assistants to the Coordinator:

(1) Designation: The NOAA Diving Coordinator shall appoint assistants to enable the Coordinator to effectively administer the NOAA Diving Safety Program.

(2) Qualifications: Assistants to the Coordinator shall be trained divers with a wide range of experience, currently certified NOAA divers with

at least five (5) years of diving experience, having logged at least four hundred (400) dives and satisfactorily completed a nationally recognized instructor certification course or its equivalent.

(3) Responsibilities: Assistants to the Coordinator shall be responsible for duties assigned to them by the NOAA Diving Coordinator.

c. Major Line Component Diving Officer:

(1) Designation: The Director of each MLC which conducts diving operations shall, upon the recommendation of the NOAA Diving Coordinator, appoint an MLC Diving Officer.

(2) Qualifications: The MLC Diving Officer shall be a trained diver with a wide range of experience, currently certified NOAA diver with at least five (5) years of diving experience, having logged at least four hundred (400) dives, and having satisfactorily completed a nationally recog nized instructor certification course or its equivalent.

(3) Responsibilities: The MLC Diving Officer shall be a member of and represent his MLC at the NOAA Diving Safety Board. He shall be responsible, within his MLC, for:

(a) Planning, programming, directing, and reviewing the diving activities within his MLC to ensure compliance with NOAA policies, procedures and standards relating to underwater operations.

(b) Maintaining familiarity with all diving activities within his MLC and inspecting diving units during regular diving assignments.

(c) Recommending to the NOAA Diving Coordinator divers who have successfully completed the required training and are qualified for NOAA certification.

(d) Planning and coordinating diver training programs, leading to certification of divers, to meet the requirements of regional research and technical operations.

(e) Recommending examiners and/or courses of instruction for certification and training. (f) Maintaining a file of letters of authorization for divers in his MLC.

(g) Investigating each diving accident which occurs within the MLC, coordinating the reporting thereof, and submitting a report to the NOAA Diving Coordinator within one (1) month of an accident, including recommendations for avoiding a similar accident.

(h) Submitting an annual report of all diving

activities and accidents within 20 days after the end of the fiscal year to the Diving Coordi

nator.

d. NOAA Diving Safety Board:

(1) Composition: The NOAA Diving Safety Board shall be composed of the following voting members:

(a) The NOAA Diving Coordinator.

(b) MLC Diving Officers.

(c) Designated MLC representatives who shall meet the qualifications specified for a Major Line Component Diving Officer.

In addition, nonvoting members may participate in the annual Safety Board Meeting. The number of voting MLC representatives and nonvoting members shall be recommended to the Associate Administrator for Marine Resources annually by the Diving Safety Board. (2) Revisions: All recommendations for revisions of these regulations must be agreed upon by two-thirds of the voting members of the Board.

(3) Responsibilities: The NOAA Diving Safety Board shall be responsible for:

(a) Recommending policy and changes in operational procedures within NOAA that will ensure a safe and efficient diving program.

(b) Reviewing existing policies, procedures and training needs to ensure a continually high level of technical skills and knowledge throughout the NOAA diving program.

(c) Planning, programming, and directing, in cooperation with the NOAA Diving Coordinator, matters of policy pertaining to the initial certification of new divers and refresher training of experienced divers.

(d) Recommending changes in operating policy, to the Associate Administrator for Marine Resources through the NOAA Diving Coordinator.

(e) Serving as an appeal board in cases where a diver's certification has been suspended.

(f) Planning, programming, and directing diver workshops, seminars, and other activities considered essential to maintaining a high level of competency among divers.

(g) Reviewing NOAA diving accidents or po tentially dangerous experiences and reporting on preventive measures to ensure safe diving.

(h) Recommending to the Associate Adminis trator for Marine Resources the eligible per

sons to fill the vacancy of NOAA Diving Coordinator.

e. Unit Diving Officer:

(1) Designation: Unit Diving Officers shall be appointed for various NOAA installations and ships which conduct diving operations. These diving officers shall, upon the recommendation of the MLC Diving Officer, be appointed by the installation directors or ship commanders.

(2) Qualifications: The Unit Diving Officer shall be a trained, currently certified, diver experienced in the types of diving conducted by his organizational unit.

(3) Responsibilities: The Unit Diving Officer shall be responsible, within his unit, for:

(a) Ensuring that all diving gear and accessory equipment be maintained in a safe operating condition.

(b) Maintaining an equipment file to include type, brand name, serial number, and repairs completed on compressors, tanks, regulators, depth gauges, pressure gauges, and decompres

sion meters.

(c) Ensuring that a competent Dive Master is in charge of each diving operation.

(d) Submitting an annual report within 10 days after the end of the fiscal year to the MLC Diving Officer.

(e) Immediately reporting all diving related accidents which occur within his unit, and submitting a written report within 10 days to the MLC Diving Officer.

(f) Maintaining a file on each diver in his unit which shall include but not be limited to: diving physical examinations, training records, letters of authorization, monthly diving logs, etc.

f. Dive Master:

(1) Designation: Depending upon the project organization, a Dive Master will be assigned by the Unit Diving Officer for all dives. In his absence, the MLC Diving Officer or the Diving Coordinator will assign the Dive Master.

(2) Qualifications: The Dive Master shall be a currently certified diver experienced in the type of diving he is responsible for.

(3) Responsibilities: The Dive Master shall be in complete charge of the diving operation and shall be responsible for and ensure that:

(a) All diving operations are conducted safely in accordance with prescribed NOAA diving safety rules and regulations.

(b) All divers are certified, properly trained, and physically fit to perform the required diving.

(c) All equipment is in a safe operating condition.

(d) Emergency procedures are understood by all personnel prior to diving.

(e) All divers are monitored after each dive for symptoms of decompression sickness. g. Individual Diver:

(1) Designation: Individual divers shall be certified by the NOAA Diving Coordinator in accordance with these regulations.

(2) Qualifications: Divers shall be sufficiently trained to undertake the assigned diving tasks. (3) Responsibilities: The individual diver

shall be responsible for and ensure that: (a) He is in good physical condition, and at a high level of diving proficiency.

(b) His equipment is in a safe operating condition.

(c) Diving conditions are safe.

(d) He does not violate the dictates of his training or these regulations.

4. OPERATIONS:

a. Project Review: No proposed diving project (budgeted program) shall be approved, funded, or undertaken before the NOAA Diving Coordinator or his designee has made an adequate review of:

(1) Diver qualifications, certification, and physical condition.

(2) Availability of equipment and personnel needed to complete the project.

(3) Specific standard operating procedures regarding safety, methodology, and emergency procedures.

(4) Support staffing.

Procedures for individual diving tasks undertaken by NOAA divers in support of primarily nondiving projects or operations shall be reviewed by the MLC Diving Officer.

b. Policies:

(1) Individual Diver Responsibility: Each diver has the responsibility and privilege to refuse to dive if, in his judgment, conditions are unsafe or unfavorable; if at any specific time he feels he is not in proper physical or mental condition for div ing; or if by diving, he would violate the dictates of his training or these regulations. The conditions and reasons for refusing to dive may be required

to be documented. If requested, the incident will be reviewed by the Unit Director with the Unit Diving Officer and diver, and appropriate action may be taken. Any action resulting from this review may be appealed to the NOAA Diving Safety Board.

(2) Scuba Diving Teams: Except under emergency conditions, the buddy system of at least two (2) divers will always be required. In the event that diving is shallow within a restricted area, with water conditions of low velocity and turbidity, the buddy diver may remain at the surface fully equipped, maintaining contact with the working diver at all times. A surface attendant shall be present in the immediate area any time diving conditions require it.

(3) Diver Proficiency: NOAA certified divers should log an average of at least two (2) diving days per month. Any time six (6) weeks or more elapse without a dive, the diver should, in his own interest, complete a requalifying program. Any time three (3) months or more elapse without a dive, the diver must complete a requalifying program before resuming work dives. The MLC Diving Officer or his designee shall specify the requalifying program. This requirement may be waived. by the official in charge of the project, program, or command during emergency conditions. A report of such waiver must be submitted to the NOAA Diving Coordinator through the MLC Diving Officer for review by the NOAA Diving Safety Board. Supervisors will authorize the necessary time and payment for qualifying dives if diving is required for official program activities. Diving equipment will be available during nonduty hours for purposes of maintaining diver proficiency.

(4) Diving by Non-NOAA Certified Personnel: Such persons must submit evidence of diving training to the MLC Diving Officer or his designee who will evaluate this training with the standards required for NOAA certification to determine equivalence with a level of NOAA certification. In all cases, a checkout dive shall be observed by the MLC Diving Officer or his designee.

(5) Non-NOAA Diving: NOAA personnel may participate in non-NOAA diving programs with which reciprocity has been established by the NOAA Diving Coordinator or his designee.

(6) Diving Logs: Divers shall be required to log all dives. All certified divers shall, by the 5th of each month, submit a Diving Log (See Exhibit 5) to the Unit Diving Officer, who shall

forward a copy to the NOAA Diving Coordinator. (7) Reporting Diving Accidents: All diving incidents resulting in injury or with a potential for injury, and all incidents of serious equipment failure, shall be reported in accordance with NOAA Directives Manual 64-11, on "Supervisor's Report of Accident" (NOAA Form 64-1). In addition, a full written report shall be prepared and submitted to the NOAA Diving Coordinator through the MLC Diving Officer within ten (10) days by the Unit Diving Officer to cover facts such as nature of operation, existing conditions. personnel involved, type of equipment used. nature of injury or equipment failure, causal analysis, recommendations for prevention in the future, etc.

5. TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION:

a. Application: NOAA personnel may apply through channels to the appropriate director to be considered for diver training, as the need exists. Personnel applying for training must use NOAA Form 53-1, "Request for Training" when the total training time will include 8 hours or more of formal classroom instruction. When requested, the MLC Diving Officer or Unit Diving Officer shall aid the various base or installation directors in analyzing diving needs. A list of certified NOAA divers in the appropriate operating area shall be made available to the director, or other official in charge of a NOAA | base or installation.

b. Justification: An employee who applies for certification must volunteer the application of his skills for NOAA programs. The need for the em ployee's skill in NOAA programs shall be considered before taking action on the application.

c. Physical Examination: Prior to acceptance for initial training or certification, and annually there after, each diver shall be required to undergo a div ing physical examination. A "Certificate of Medical Examination" (SF-78), and a "Report of Medica History" (SF-93), shall be used. A "Report of Med cal Examination" (SF-88), may be used for commi sioned personnel. The examining physician shall be provided with the "Medical Evaluation Criteria" (Se Exhibit 2) to help ensure an examination appropriat to diving activities. After each major illness, oper. tion, or injury, certified divers shall undergo a me cal review and/or examination before resuming d ing activities. A copy of all physical examinations

will be submitted to the Unit Diving Officer who shall forward a copy to the NOAA Diving Coordinator. Candidates not meeting the physical standards may request a waiver, based on a review by the Diving Medical Review Board (See NDM 06-21), from the NOAA Diving Coordinator. The NOAA Diving Coordinator reviewing requests for waiver may:

(1) Refuse waiver.

(2) Approve waiver and certify fitness for full diving duty.

(3) Approve the applicant for limited duty. This designation should be made only for conditions that are not significantly disabling and do not constitute a significant threat to the candidate or his fellow divers.

d. Basic Diving Training: Initial diving training may be obtained from any program approved by the NOAA Diving Coordinator or designee.

e. Written Examination: All applicants for NOAA certification shall pass a standard written examination on scuba equipment, physics and physiology, general techniques, and first aid as they apply to scuba diving, approved by the NOAA Diving Safety Board. Applicants failing the examination may retake it after two (2) weeks; however, the reexamination grade must then be ten (10) points above the minimum passing grade.

f. Diving Evaluation: The prospective diver must demonstrate his proficiency and skill in diving to the MLC Diving Officer or his designee.

g. Certification: Upon completion of preliminary training, satisfactory written and medical examinations, and diver evaluation, NOAA employees shall be considered for certification in the following categories:

(1) Trainee: Any employee who has completed an approved scuba course consisting of less than fifteen (15) open-water dives. Trainees do not perform working dives.

(2) Limited: Divers who have completed basic certification requirements, but because of limited experience or operational needs must be restricted in diving activities, may be eligible for a limited certification once they have completed at least fifteen (15) open-water dives.

(3) Unlimited: Divers who have demonstrated a high level of competence, a wide range of experience and good judgment, and who have logged at least one-hundred (100) dives, of which at least three (3) will be with the MLC

Diving Officer or his designee at varying degrees of difficulty, shall be eligible for unlimited NOAA certification.

(4) Instructor: Divers who have a wide range of experience currently certified with at least five (5) years of diving experience, having logged at least four hundred (400) dives, and having satisfactorily completed a nationally recognized instructor certification course, or equal, shall be eligible for NOAA Instructor Certification. Each applicant's qualifications shall be reviewed by the NOAA Diving Safety Board.

h. Issuance: NOAA diver certification may be issued by the NOAA Diving Coordinator upon recommendations of the MLC Diving Officer and the Unit Diving Officer. Recommendations shall include a summary of diving experience, a diving critique by the Unit Diving Officer, and evidence of satisfactory passing of a diving physical. The NOAA Diving Coordinator shall issue a Diving Identification Card (See Exhibit 6), and a Letter of Authorization (See Exhibit 4) to the diver, with a copy of the letter to the diver's official personnel folder, the MLC Diving Officer, and the Unit Diving Officer.

i. Terms of Certification: All diving certifications shall lapse after three (3) months or more without a dive, or thirteen (13) months from the date of the last physical examination.

j. Recertification: The MLC Diving Officer or his designee may recertify a diver whose certification has lapsed after the diver has again demonstrated ability to perform satisfactorily.

k. Suspension of Certification: NOAA diver certification may be suspended for cause by the Unit Diving Officer, MLC Diving Officer or NOAA Diving Coordinator. Violation of any regulation in this circular, or lack of good judgment may be considered cause. The diver shall be informed in writing of the reasons for suspension, and will be given the opportunity to appeal his suspension to the NOAA Diving Safety Board.

1. Refresher Training: NOAA certified divers may be given periodic refresher training.

6. NOAA DIVING SAFETY RULES: The NOAA Diving Safety Rules (See Exhibit 1) shall be adhered to on all diving operations.

7. EXCEPTIONS: Deviations from these regula