Diving in Harbours

[Epifauna]

Hi

I'm an openwater diver but my uni research is taking me to in-harbour wharf/marina environments. Identified hazards are of course working in close prox to large vessels (moving and stat), wires and cables, pilings etc. I'm after a bit of advice as to what people think I should do (if anything) in terms of courses to be safe (i.e.to keep uni happy)? Is a cavern diving course a bit extreme for what I'm doing?

Thanks heaps for your time
E*

 

[mike_s]

I'd take a set of fishing line cutters. You'll definately get snagged by fishing line.

Diving in Marinas doesn't even seem nice to me. Though it's
against the law, boats still discharge sewage overboard. So
you're swiming in someone else's ****.

The big major concern though is electrical problems. Marinas
are known for having poor electrical systems and boaters often
replace GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interupter) breakers with
normal breakers because they trip when you get moisture in them.
Boaters sure hate their beer getting warm in the boat fridges and
the A/C not working over safety. So what happens is an electrical
current from mis-wired circuits can go to ground, which is typically
a metal dock interconnect system. Another source of danger with
this is "shore power" lines dropping into the water and the breaker
not tripping. This goes back also to people changing out the
GFCI breakers with normal ones.

I bring this up because it's a real danger. There was a diver killed
last year diving in a Marina to retrive an item dropped off the dock.
He was killed by underwater electrocution.

Just a few thoughts to consider here in diving in Harbor/Marinas.

 

[kjundvr]

I have dove in a couple harbors and it can be rather interesting. You find some interesting stuff, once found a toilet and a lazy-boy recliner. I have always had several things with me when diving in harbors. Line cutters preferably not a knife I recommend a hook cutter or medical sheers. I have also always towed with me a Diver down float which sits high in the water and is very visible. However before venturing into the harbor you should make sure to check with the harbor master and find out any rules or regulations that they have in the harbor. Also I am not sure of the visibility conditions of where you are diving but typically in harbors the vis is more limited to when surfacing listen for boats and surface with one hand up to protect you head should a boat be above you .

Hope this helps

 

[Gary D.]

Hi

I'm an openwater diver but my uni research is taking me to in-harbour wharf/marina environments. Identified hazards are of course working in close prox to large vessels (moving and stat), wires and cables, pilings etc. I'm after a bit of advice as to what people think I should do (if anything) in terms of courses to be safe (i.e.to keep uni happy)? Is a cavern diving course a bit extreme for what I'm doing?

Thanks heaps for your time
E*

You mentioned LARGE vessels. How large?

If they are large enough they might have something called a “Scoop Injection” on them. If they do and if it is operating, make sure your funeral arrangements are already made. It can suck you right up tight to the ship’s bottom and keep you there until they shut it down and retrieve what’s left of you.

That was the cause of several Navy Diver fatal accidents when I was in. Not something to take lightly.

Electrical problems are next in line.

Boat traffic is the least of the problems. That's even lower than being attacked by Brown Trout.

Gary D.

 

[The Kraken]

Epi,
I do a good bit of recovery diving around several large marinas in the Atlanta area.
All the above is good advice.
I will differ, however, in advocating the need for a knife. By no means should you enter the water without a line cutter, but around maninas and harbors you can run into a greater probability of coming in contact with much larger line and rope which a line cutter can't cut.
The most effective means of preventing entanglement is awareness, but as you porbably know, the visibility in harbors is not pristine.
Shears may work too, but when it comes to cutting a 3/4 inch line, a good knife is hard to beat.
The biggest diver down float/flag will be an advantage too. Just pray that the boaters don't think its there for maneuvering practice !!!

Safe dives . . .
. . . safer ascents !!!

 

[emtdan]

I was taught in my Search and Recovery course about what great stuff can be found in those kinds of spaces.

I would reccomend against going in anything busy. I would stay near something stable, like a piling, or dock. I would also have somebody on the surface looking out for you, and to tell ships to stay away.

I would also bring a goody bag, and maybe even a lift bag!!

Oh yeah, and get more expierence, get AOW, and at least Search and Recovery.

 

[pipedope]

You didn't say exactly what it is you are doing in these harbors.

I don't think a cavern course is too much but commercial diving training may be more to the point.

Anytime you are close to ships (and even boats) it is important to check out the dangers including ships screws, water intakes, thrusters etc. Add in the problems of diving in a low vis area with possible entanglement hazards and places to get trapped.

Each job and harbor should be evaluated on its own as the risks and safety steps needed are different.

If you give us more information we can get more specific but nothing will replace evaluation on site by an experienced professional commercial diver.

 

[Epifauna]

Thanks for your advice. We'll basically be clinging to wharf pilings, attaching epifaunal settlement plates and retrieving and scraping them. Vessel size up to 30 odd feet I think (max), recreational boats and the marina operators will know where I am at all times and they know our intentions. I intend to avoid the Naval dockyards when the frigates are docked! In NZ we (and the university) have to comply with a pile of stuff before getting authorisation anyway but I thought I'd just find out in some more detail of the risks and recommended courses.

Thanks again for your comprehensive replies - much to think about.
E*

 

[Rick Inman]

Electrical problems are next in line.

Boat traffic is the least of the problems. That's even lower than being attacked by Brown Trout.

Gary D.

Gary,
We dived under the docks in CDA last Tuesday and I have 2 questions just for you.
1) There is a BIG old wreck right under the west side of the boardwalk, just a few feet southeast of the stairs/bridge where the ships exit the marina on the west side by the main offices. We just ran into it last Saturday and dived it again Tuesday night. Do you know what ti is????
2) Some guy can out from the resort after our dive and told us it is illegal to dive under the docks. Don't know who he was (he talked to my buddy or I would have asked) but is it true. Can you trespass underwater?

 

[Gary D.]

Thanks for your advice. We'll basically be clinging to wharf pilings, attaching epifaunal settlement plates and retrieving and scraping them. Vessel size up to 30 odd feet I think (max), recreational boats and the marina operators will know where I am at all times and they know our intentions. I intend to avoid the Naval dockyards when the frigates are docked! In NZ we (and the university) have to comply with a pile of stuff before getting authorisation anyway but I thought I'd just find out in some more detail of the risks and recommended courses.

Thanks again for your comprehensive replies - much to think about.
E*

Now you just shed a brighter light on the operation.

If you have Navy traffic in the area check with the Harbor Master and find out what the Sonar regulations are. One of those ships light it off while your in the area could ruin a very nice day.

Gary D.