Recommendation from a NOAA report concerning the death of two Coast Guard divers.
NOAA DIVING SAFETY BOARD
RECOMMENDED ACTIONS RELATED TO THE USCGC HEALY DIVING INCIDENT
1. NDC should begin developing comprehensive written standards and procedures for blue-water and linetended diving, diving in overhead and confined-space environments, and cold water diving environments. Until such standards are developed, anyone desiring to perform such activities must submit a dive plan to the NOAA Diving Center (NDC) for review and approval prior to the start of dive operations. *
2. Revise the NOAA diving regulations (NAO 209-123) to require a topside person, capable and ready to render immediate assistance, to be on-site for all diving operations unless otherwise authorized by
the Unit Diving Supervisor or their designee.
3. NDC to create a training module on diving regulations and operations and present it at the bi-annual command officer’s refresher training session in Kings Point, NY.
4. NDC will purchase and issue DUI weighting systems to all drysuit divers.**
5. Require the use of buoyancy compensators and DUI weighting systems when diving drysuits. ***
6. Limit the maximum amount of weight authorized to be used in weight-integrated buoyancy compensators to 16 pounds.
7. Prohibit the use of split fins for diving when heavy loads or high currents may be encountered or when wearing a drysuit.
8. Personnel from the NDC will conduct an on-site dive locker inspection of all 18 NOAA ships beginning
immediately and then every 3-years thereafter. **
9. NDC complete replacement of all Scubapro regulators with new Oceanic model for all NOAA divers diving in <50º F water temperature.**
10. Allow NOAA Corps Officers to remain on dive orders and perform proficiency dives during shore assignments. **
11. Request that the Director, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations Centers reinforce the need and requirement for NMAO ships to provide time for divers to maintain diving proficiency per NAO 209-123.
12. Dive plans be mandatory for all “working dives†on all NMAO ships. The plans are to be written
and filed with the Field Operations Officer (FOO) or Dive Officer prior to diving.
13. NDC to work with Commissioned Personnel Center to identify gaps in vessel dive complements.
