MARINE GUIDANCE NOTE

MGN 424 (M)

Safety Responsibilities on board Dive Boats

Notice to all Shipowners, Masters, Crew and Diving Contractors

This notice should be read with Statutory Instruments 2002 No. 158, the Merchant Shipping
(Diving Safety) Regulations 2002 and 1997 No 2776 the Diving at Work Regulations

PLEASE NOTE:-
Where this document provides guidance on the law it should not be regarded as definitive.
The way the law applies to any particular case can vary according to circumstances - for
example, from vessel to vessel and you should consider seeking independent legal advice if
you are unsure of your own legal position.

Summary
This MGN gives advice to Owners, Operators, Masters, Crew and Diving Contractors on
procedures for the safe conduct of diving operations especially on vessels contracted to carry
out these operations where the diving operation is not controlled by the owner, operator or
crew of the vessel. The main points are:
• the duties of the owner/operator, master/crew, diving contractor and diving supervisor
and their relationship to each other and individual responsibilities;
• particular emphasis on ensuring that there is a coherent diving plan and risk
assessments are carried out;
• ensuring that the divers are competent and properly qualified.

1. Introduction
1.1 An accident onboard a vessel acting as a dive boat highlighted the need for procedures to
ensure the safe conduct of dive operations when the vessel’s owner and operator were not
the same as the diving contractors.
1.2 During diving operations it is essential that both ships and diving contractors have
procedures in place to establish and maintain a safe working environment, regardless of
the scale or purpose of the operation. Although diving contractors usually have a sound
appreciation of the generic risks involved when working in the vicinity of merchant vessels
the responsibility for ensuring that appropriate shipboard control measures are taken rests
with a vessel’s crew.
1.3 This guidance applies equally to owner/operator divers and to contracted divers.
2. Duties of the Owner/Operator of the Dive Boat
2.1 Owners of craft should ensure effective arrangements are in place to ensure compliance
with the Diving at Work Regulations 1997 (No. 2776) (as amended). In meeting their
obligations Owners, or their representatives onboard, should directly ensure that all ship’s

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 personnel are fully aware of their respective responsibilities and duties. Where appropriate
these duties should be in writing.
2.2 The plant and equipment provided by the Diving Contractor should meet the appropriate
requirements and be maintained in good order. Where practicable, written confirmation
should be drawn up and endorsed by the Owner and Diving Contractor to this effect.
2.3 Where the dive boat provides diving equipment and/or services for the diving project, they
should ensure that such equipment is suitable for the safe conduct of the diving project and
is maintained in a safe working condition.
3. Duties of the Master and Crew
3.1 Those involved with the organising of the diving project should ensure that the contracted
parties comply with the diving regulations as stated above.
3.2 The Master has responsibility for all activities carried out on onboard their vessel; these
may include aspects of the diving project. They should identify and discuss potential risks
with the diving contractor during preparation of the diving project plan and recognise that
the success of a diving project is dependent on close co-operation and consultation
between responsible persons.
3.3 All those involved with the diving process should be familiar with the completed diving plan.
3.4 The operation of machinery which poses a risk to divers should be prevented, whenever
possible, by physical barriers such as the removal of fuses or other suitable methods such
as tag systems where physical barriers that disable the immediate restoration of
machinery/systems may place the vessel at risk in an emergency.
3.5 A master, in conjunction with the diving supervisor, should not authorise the
commencement of diving operations until they are satisfied that the required control
measures have been taken and all key ship’s personnel, such as the chief engineer, have
been informed.
3.6 The crew must be aware of what machinery/systems not to operate during the dive
operation, the systems in place to prevent operation of these machinery/systems and the
procedures required if they are required in an emergency situation.
3.7 The Master should establish agreed means of communication with the diving supervisor
and advise on matters considered relevant during the diving operation (e.g. changes in sea
condition, surface visibility etc.).
3.8 When diving from a craft maintaining station using a dynamic positioning system, the
Master should ensure that in the event, or likely event, of “drift off”, the diving supervisor is
directly informed and, if necessary, the recovery of divers is arranged.
3.9 The Master should prevent the occurrence of activities that may endanger those involved
in the diving project. Where necessary notices should be posted on machinery vital to the
diving project to prevent it inadvertently being stopped or started.
3.10 The Master should prohibit diving operations while the craft is manoeuvring.
3.11 To ensure a safe location for the diving project, onboard equipment and plant should be
secured and provision made for the safety of personnel working in that area.
3.12 The Master may terminate the dive for safety reasons. Where time permits this would
normally be in consultation with the diving supervisor.
4. Duties of the Diving Contractor
4.1 A designated diving contractor should be appointed in writing to ensure the diving project
protects the health and safety of those taking part in it. Where more than one contractor is
appointed to a diving project one should be confirmed as the “Designated Diving
Contractor”. A written agreement should confirm this arrangement.
4.2 The Diving Contractor is responsible for:

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 4.2.1 Assessing risks and ensuring a diving project plan is prepared;
4.2.2 Appointing a suitable diving supervisor, in writing;
4.2.3 Ensuring there are sufficient numbers of competent divers, capable of undertaking
the work involved with the diving project;
4.2.4 Ensuring that all divers involved in the diving project are suitably qualified,
certificated by a doctor as medically fit and hold a valid HSE approved diving at
work medical certificate;
4.2.5 Ensuring divers’ certification, as above, is readily available for inspection;
4.2.6 Ensuring the diving team is familiar with the diving project plan;
4.2.7 Providing sufficient, suitable, properly maintained and certified plant and
equipment;
4.2.8 Ensuring test certificates for the plant and equipment are readily available for
inspection;
4.2.9 Ensuring that the place from which diving is to be undertaken is suitable and safe;
4.2.10 Ensuring adequate arrangements exist for first aid and medical treatment;
4.2.11 Maintaining a written record of all relevant details of the project, including all dives,
for a minimum of two years;
4.2.12 Ensuring compliance with all relevant regulations.
5. Diving Project Plan
5.1 A diving project plan is essential for every diving project. It should consist of the diving
contractor’s standard operating rules and the site specific risk assessment. This includes
measures to control risks, procedures, availability of emergency support services and the
responsibility structure in the event of an emergency. Many factors need consideration
when preparing a diving project plan, in particular identifying possible hazards and
assessing their risks followed by measures for risk reduction. For example:
5.1.1 Effect of water flowing through sea water intakes or discharges affecting divers or
their equipment during the project;
5.1.2 Weather conditions, including surface visibility, necessitating suspension of the
project;
5.1.3 Effect of rotating propellers, thrusters or pumps, particularly from vessels using
dynamic positioning systems and associated machinery that may start manually or
automatically during the project;
5.1.4 Taking account of diver disorientation, particularly when working beneath flat
bottom vessels;
5.1.5 Risk of divers being struck by objects falling into the water.
5.2 The diving project plan should cover the general principles of diving techniques. It should
incorporate contingency plans in the event of foreseeable emergencies, including the
evacuation of the parent craft and retrieval of an injured or unconscious diver from the
water. It should also include procedures to deal with injuries to divers and support
personnel and the availability of external medical assistance.
5.3 Diving supervisors and others responsible for executing contingency plans should have
copies of the relevant parts of the diving project plan. It should identify the nature and
extent of each diving operation, the diving supervisor in charge and the specific tasks of
those involved.
6. Diving Supervisor
6.1 The diving supervisor must be competent in the techniques used in the diving operation he
is supervising.

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6.2 Diving Supervisor responsibilities include:
6.2.1 Checking the divers are competent and qualified to dive and undertake the work
of the diving project;
6.2.2 Ensuring everyone in the diving operation is familiar with the diving project plan;
6.2.3 Ensuring the diving project plan is appropriate and up to date;
6.2.4 Maintaining accurate records of all diving operations;
6.2.5 Ensuring there are adequate means of communication with divers in the water;
6.2.6 Checking the dive site on the day of the dive and, if conditions change, confirming
that the risk assessment still applies;
6.2.7 Checking the diving equipment is appropriate for the project.
6.3 The supervisor may order the start and finish of a dive in consultation with the Master.

More Information

Seafarer Safety and Health Branch

Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 1/29
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Tel : +44 (0) 23 8032 9328

Fax : +44 (0) 23 8032 9251
e-mail: seafarer.s&[email protected]

General Inquiries: [email protected]

MCA Website Address: www.mcga.gov.uk

File Ref: MC11/11/007

Published: September 2010

Please note that all addresses and
telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing

© Crown Copyright 2010

Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas

Printed on material containing minimum 75% post-consumer waste paper

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