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Commercial Diving

Commercial Diving is a specialized field that involves underwater work conducted by professionals for various industries, including construction, oil and gas, and marine research. It requires rigorous training and certifications to ensure safety and efficiency. Key areas of focus in commercial diving include:

  • Environmental Assessments: Conducting surveys and inspections of underwater sites.

  • Construction Support: Assisting with underwater construction projects, such as welding and installing pipelines.

  • Underwater Photography: Capturing images for documentation and marketing purposes.

  • Marine Salvage: Recovering lost or sunken items from bodies of water.

  • Maintenance and Repair: Performing routine upkeep and repairs on submerged structures, ensuring safety and longevity. Environmental Monitoring: Conducting assessments of underwater ecosystems to monitor pollution levels and marine life health.

18.3 Purposes and Objectives

  • Establishes, implements, and maintains standards for conducting commercial diving activities.

  • Ensures that project diving activities align with identified standards.

18.3.2 Definitions & Abbreviations

  • Refer to Attachment A for Definitions and Abbreviations.

18.3.3 References

  • Refer to Attachment B for a comprehensive list of references, which include organizations such as:

  • COMPANY

  • IMCA (International Marine Contractors Association)

  • DMAC (Diving Medical Advisory Committee)

  • AODC (Association of Diving Contractors)

18.3.4 Responsibilities

  • Project Management Team (PMT):

  • Appoints on-site representatives to ensure procedures are adhered to.

  • Responsible for management and implementation of safety standards on the project.

  • Subject Matter Expert (SME):

  • Engaged by PMT for diving-related matters, responsible for:

    • Reviewing contractor's diving plans.

    • Inspecting dive equipment.

    • Verifying contractor dive team qualifications.

    • Conducting audits and inspections.

  • Contractor:

  • Must have qualified representatives on-site.

  • Submit a Project Specific Diving Plan for COMPANY approval.

  • Worksite/Offshore Manager:

  • General responsibility for diving safety in the project area.

  • Vessel Captain/Master:

  • Responsible for the overall safety of the vessel and personnel during diving operations.

  • Dive Supervisor:

  • Ensures the diving operations follow all safety protocols and maintain communication among all parties.

  • Must have sufficient knowledge of all equipment involved.

18.4 Processes and Guidance

18.4.1 Diving Standards and Requirements

  • Key components for managing diving operations include:

  • Strict adherence to established diving practices.

  • Provision of technical expertise from recognised authorities.

  • Compliance verification during planning and execution.

  • Use of approved contractors with proven capabilities.

  • CONTRACTOR must submit project-specific diving plans outlining controls, processes, and emergency actions.

  • Regulatory Compliance:

  • National regulations applicable to the project location to take precedence.

  • Best practices should align with IOGP, IMCA, DMAC, AODC, and ADCI guidelines.

18.4.2 Project Specific Diving Plan

  • Contractors are required to submit a project-specific diving plan for PMT review.

  • Third-party experts may assist PMT in the review process.

18.4.3 Training and Competency

  • PMT monitors contractor compliance with training and competency standards.

  • Regular training maintenance for the dive team is mandatory.

18.4.4 Fitness to Work for Diving

  • Contractors ensure all dive team members have valid fitness certificates, verified against applicable standards.

18.4.5 Risk Management

  • Onshore risk assessments required for all diving activities:

  • Identification and mitigation of risks before field operations, incorporating best practices.

  • Formal assessments (HAZID) must precede diving plan execution.

Emergency Response Plans (ERP)

  • Each project must have site-specific ERP covering:

  • Recovery of incapacitated divers.

  • Treatment for decompression illness.

  • Emergency evacuation procedures.

Diving Permit to Work (PTW)

  • PMT ensures a formal Diving PTW system is in place to manage operations.

Assurance, Audits, and Inspections
Project Assurance Plan

  • Develop assurance plans that may include:

  • Inspections of vessels and HSE audits.

  • Equipment system audits and FMEA.

  • Environmental audits.

Dive Equipment System Audit

  • All diving equipment must be verified as 'fit for purpose' by competent third parties.

  • Guidance for inspections can be found in IOGP Report 468 and IMCA standards.

Diving Classifications

  • The document covers various diving classifications including:

  • Saturation Diving.

  • Surface Supplied Air Diving.

  • Surface Supplied Mixed Gas Diving.

  • Mobile/Portable Surface Supplied Diving.

  • Surface Swimming/Snorkeling.

  • Each project should identify relevant diving standards in scope documents and project plans.

Conclusion

  • Emphasis on qualifications, safety standards, and stringent risk management processes is vital for successful commercial diving operations.