From: Phil Newsum [pnewsum@adc-int.org]
Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2009 1:57 PM
To: Rebecca Roberts
Subject: News from Association of Diving Contractors International
ADCI Industry Updates
In This Issue
New Recommended Operational Guidelines
Quick Links
ADCI Industry Informational Update #2009-03 February/2009
TO:  ADCI General Membership and Industry Stakeholders

The following items of information are provided to bring your attention to recent industry developments, initiatives, or safety notices.  If you do not wish to receive future Industry Updates, please use the unsubscribe option, located at the bottom of this update.

ADCI LIVE BOATING OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
 
The following are minimum  recommended requirements for Live Boating Operations:
__________________________________________
No Live Boating Operation may include:
  • in-water decompression
  • the use of underwater hand held tools, powered via a surface umbilical

No Live Boating shall be conducted on scuba.

No Live Boating Operation shall be performed within another vessel or barge's anchor spread.
__________________________________________
 
 
1.  Depth / Limits
 
The maximum depth limit for live boating operations is 170 fsw (51m).
 
2.  Minimum Personnel
 
In all cases, personnel manning equipment shall be selected to ensure maximum safety during operation.  On small boats / vessels, less than 33 feet (10m), limited by space it may be permissible for the crew to consist of no fewer than three persons; Diving Supervisor, a Diver, and a Tender / Diver.
 
  a.  Live Boating Operations                              
       
       ( 0-100 fsw/30m )
  • 1 Diving Supervisor
  • 2 Divers
  • 2 Tender / Divers

  b.  Live Boating Operations 

      ( 101-170 fsw/51m )
  • 1 Diving Supervisor
  • 3 Divers
  • 2 Tender / Divers
 
Diving Supervisor and Personnel Qualifications
The Diving Supervisor must be experienced in Live Boating and knowledgeable in all facets of the job. 
 
All members of the dive team should be trained and experienced for the tasks to be performed.  In the case of live operations, all personnel should be properly screened to ensure that they understand the scope of work to be performed, the potential hazards involved, and the procedures for addressing emergency situations.
 
Procedures
 a.  Continuous and easily understandable communications will be maintained between the dive station and wheelhouse at all times.
 
b.  PROPER HOSE MANAGEMENT IS THE PRIMARY AND VITAL FACET OF SAFE LIVE BOATING OPERATIONS.  The boat will be maneuvered in such a manner so as to permit the Tender / Diver or Diving Supervisor to continuously monitor the direction of the diver's umbilical with respect to the dive control station.
 
c.  The propellers of the vessel are to be stopped before the diver enters or exits the water.
 
d.  Live Boating shall not be done:
  • In seas that impede the station keeping ability of the vessel
  • In other than daylight hours
  • During periods of restricted visibility
  • Any time existing conditions make live boating unsafe in the opinion of the vessel captain and or supervisor

e.  A standby diver will be continuously prepared to enter the water when directed by the diving supervisor.

f.  All live boating operations shall be tended from the bow and the boat shall be operated from the wheelhouse or flying bridge.
Minimum Equipment
 (This is in addition to the standard equipment required for the desired diving mode and depth)
 
a.  The vessel shall be acceptable to the diving company and diving supervisor.
 
b.  A "kill switch" shall be in the immediate vicinity of the operator of the boat for instantaneous shutdown of the engines.
 
c.  For operations on dynamically positioned vessels see Section 7 of the ADCI Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations, Dynamically Positioned Vessel Diving Systems and Operations. 
 
d.  During live boating operations, a third (3rd) diving hose connected to the manifold shall be available for emergency use except in the case of small boats or vessels where sufficient space for a third diving hose and associated equipment may not be available.
 
e.  On all live boating jobs, a diver-worn EGS (bailout bottle) shall be worn by the diver.
 
f.  A means will be used to prevent the diver's hose from becoming entangled in the propellers of the vessel.
 
g.  Any vessel larger than 33' (10m) will require a boat ready to be launched, with a crew, in the event of an emergency.
 
 
This Information was sent to further the communication of all industry stakeholders. Safety is the primary concern of the ADCI. Remember:  a real time Job Safety Analysis is important, but nothing can replace good common sense.
 
Sincerely,
 
Phil Newsum
Association of Diving Contractors International
Safe Unsubscribe
This email was sent to rroberts@adc-int.org by pnewsum@adc-int.org.
Association of Diving Contractors International | 5206 FM 1960W Ste 202 | Houston | TX | 77069