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| Specific Diving Mode Procedures | 197.430 – 197.436 | |||||||||||||
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33 U.S.C. 1509; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703, 6101; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1.
CGD 76-009, 43 FR 53683, Nov. 16, 1978, unless otherwise noted.
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Subscribe to: 46 CFR Part 197 Subpart B - Specific Diving Mode Procedures
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The diving supervisor shall insure that—
(a) SCUBA diving is not conducted—
(1) Outside the no-decompression limits;
(2) At depths greater than 130 fsw;
(3) Against currents greater than one (1) knot unless line-tended; and
(4) If a diver cannot directly ascend to the surface unless line-tended;
(b) The SCUBA diver has the equipment required by § 197.346(a);
(c) A standby diver is available while a diver is in the water;
(d) A diver is line-tended from the surface or accompanied by another diver in the water in continuous visual contact during the diving operation;
(e) When a diver is in a physically confining space, another diver is stationed at the underwater point of entry and is line-tending the diver; and
(f) A boat is available for diver pickup when the divers are not line-tended from the dive location.
The diving supervisor shall insure that—
(a) Surface-supplied air diving is conducted at depths less than 190 fsw, except that dives with bottom times of 30 minutes or less may be conducted to depths of 220 fsw;
(b) Each diving operation has a primary breathing gas supply;
(c) Each diver is continuously tended while in the water;
(d) When a diver is in a physically confining space, another diver is stationed at the underwater point of entry and is line-tending the diver;
(e) For dives deeper than 130 fsw or outside the no-decompression limits—
(1) Each diving operation has a secondary breathing gas supply;
(2) A decompression chamber is ready for use at the dive location;
(3) A diving stage is used except when a bell is provided;
(4) A bell is used for dives with an in-water decompression time greater than 120 minutes, except when the diver is using a heavy-weight diving outfit or is diving in a physically confining space;
(5) A separate dive team member tends each diver in the water;
(6) A standby diver is available while a diver is in the water; and
(7) Each diver has a diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply except when using a heavy-weight diving outfit or when diving in a physically confining space; and
(f) The surface-supplied air diver has the equipment required by § 197.346 (b) or (d).
The diving supervisor shall insure that—
(a) When mixed-gas diving is conducted, a decompression chamber or a closed bell meeting the requirements of § 197.332 is ready for use at the dive location;
(b) A diving stage is used except when a bell is provided;
(c) A bell is used for dives deeper than 220 fsw or when the dive involves in-water decompression times greater than 120 minutes, except when the diver is using a heavy-weight diving outfit or is diving in a physically confining space;
(d) A closed bell is used for dives at depths greater than 300 fsw, except when diving is conducted in a physically confining space;
(e) A separate dive team member tends each diver in the water;
(f) A standby diver is available during all nonsaturation dives;
(g) When saturation diving is conducted—
(1) A standby diver is available when the closed bell leaves the dive location until the divers are in saturation; and
(2) A member of the dive team at the dive location is a diver able to assist in the recovery of the closed bell or its occupants, if required;
(h) When closed bell operations are conducted, a diver is available in the closed bell to assist a diver in the water;
(i) When a diver is in a physically confining space, another diver is stationed at the underwater point of entry and is line-tending the diver;
(j) Each diving operation has a primary and secondary breathing gas supply meeting the requirements of § 197.340; and
(k) The surface-supplied mixed-gas diver has the equipment required by § 197.346 (b) or (d).
(a) During liveboating operations, the person-in-charge shall insure that—
(1) Diving is not conducted in seas that impede station-keeping ability of the vessel;
(2) Liveboating operations are not conducted—
(i) From 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise; or
(ii) During periods of restricted visibility;
(3) The propellers of the vessel are stopped before the diver enters or exits the water; and
(4) A boat is ready to be launched with crew in the event of an emergency.
(b) As used in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of this section, restricted visibility means any condition in which vessel navigational visibility is restricted by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms, sandstorms or any other similar causes.
(c) During liveboating operations, the diving supervisor shall insure that—
(1) Diving is not conducted at depths greater than 220 fsw;
(2) Diving is not conducted in seas that impede diver mobility or work function;
(3) A means is used to prevent the diver's hose from entangling in the propellers of the vessel;
(4) Each diver carries a reserve breathing gas supply;
(5) A standby diver is available while a diver is in the water;
(6) Diving is not conducted with in-water decompression times greater than 120 minutes; and
(7) The person-in-charge is notified before a diver enters or exits the water.