Topside

New NOAA Air Deco Tables

2012-02-13T13:40:00.000-08:00

The Other Final Frontier - NY Times article

2012-02-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/22/opinion/sunday/the-other-final-frontier.htm

Rebreather Forum 3

2012-02-01T08:04:00.000-08:00

From May 18-20, 2012, several industry leaders will be gathering to discuss the current state of rebreather diving. Co-sponsored in part by DAN, PADI and the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS), the Rebreather Forum 3 will address major issues surrounding rebreather technology and its application to sport diving.

Agencies work together to protect coral on seawall

2012-02-01T07:46:00.000-08:00

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary and U.S. Naval Air Station Key West worked together to execute a plan to rescue coral from the Navy seawall prior to structural repairs. U.S. Naval Air Station Key West-funded Truman Mole Pier pre-construction coral rescue project commenced October 17^th 2011. From October 17^th until October 27th more than 1476 coral and coral fragments measuring more than 15cm were rescued from the Truman Mole Pier seawall. The coral was relocated to the FKNMS dockside coral nursery. The largest in-tact coral rescued measured in excess of one meter. The total number of species rescued from the seawall was fourteen. The combined coral count for the FKNMS nursery as of November 8, 2011 was 1569.

Resource Manager and coral rescue project lead Lauri MacLaughlin evaluates large coral location at the FKNMS dockside nursery. Photo submitted by Brenda Altmeier (FKNMS)

Baskets of coral are lined up on the pier at the FKNMS Key West office waiting to be placed in the Key West nursery. Photo submitted by Brenda Altmeier (FKNMS).

Key West coral nursery. Photo submitted by Brenda Altmeier (FKNMS).

FKNMS staff Lauri MacLaughlin and Mike Buchman perform dive operations to evaluate project area for completion. Photo submitted by Brenda Altmeier (FKNMS).

The U.S. Navy plans to contribute funds for the husbandry and upkeep of corals in the nursery for two years, until such time they can be placed in beneficial use projects such as restorations, aquaculture, educational exhibits and scientific research. Navy contractors worked closely with FKNMS staff to accomplish this rescue effort. Of the coral remaining that measured 15cm or less, an in-kind rescue effort by FKNMS staff, coral reef nursery partners, aquarium and scientific researchers will continue through the end of the calendar year.

Story and Photos Submitted by:

Brenda Altmeier, FKNMS

2012-02-01T07:28:00.000-08:00

GRNMS - photo taken by Greg Mcfall

During their 2011 field season, NOAA Ship Nancy Foster conducted two dive-intensive projects in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. These projects took place inside Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary (GRNMS) and Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary (FGBNMS). Each project was a combination of diving, ship-based multi-beam mapping and oceanographic sampling.

Nancy Foster's GRNMS project took place ~20nm off the coast of Georgia in May 2011 and included habitat mapping and characterization and a continued investigation into predator-prey interactions between benthic and pelagic piscivorous fishes and their prey. During the 14-day project, the ship's divers, scientists, and sanctuary staff conducted over 330 scientific dives in support of the mission and 2 working dives servicing the local Ocean Data Acquisition System (ODAS) buoy.

In August, Nancy Foster scientists and crew completed another dive-intensive project in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary. FGBNMS is located ~70 to 115nm off the coast of Texas. During this project, technical divers and safety/support divers conducted over 180 dives. The goal of this project was to survey fish and benthic populations between depths of 110 and 150 fsw. Ship-based mapping and acoustic sampling was completed, in combination with the technical dives, to begin development of a benthic habitat map of both East and West banks in the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary.

Technical divers Brian Degan and Christine Buckel conducting research in FGBNMS. Photo taken by Mike Williams (CIOERT);

Technical diver Christine Buckel conducting a biodiversity study in FGBNMS.

Photo taken by Mike Williams (CIOERT)

Technical diver Mike Williams (CIOERT) conducting research in FGBNMS.

Photo taken by Christine Buckel (NOS/NCCOS/CCFHR/AERRB)

Safety diver LT Josh Slater during a safety stop seen carrying a spare oxygen tank and gear passed over by the technical divers.

Photo taken by Christine Buckel (NOS/NCCOS/CCFHR/AERRB)

Technical divers Christine Buckel and Brian Degan conducting research in FGBNMS.

Photo taken by Mike Williams (CIOERT)

Technical divers Brian Degan and Christine Buckel conducting research in FGBNMS.

Photo taken by Mike Williams (CIOERT)

Technical diver Brian Degan conducting research in FGBNMS.

Photo taken by Christine Buckel (NOS/NCCOS/CCFHR/AERRB)

Safety diver LT Josh Slater during a safety stop seen carrying a spare oxygen tank and gear passed over by the technical divers.

Photo taken by Christine Buckel (NOS/NCCOS/CCFHR/AERRB)

2012-02-01T07:04:00.000-08:00

The NOAA Diving Center would like to introduce our newest Equipment Technician, Nick Jeremiah. Nick brings with him 20 years of diving experience, 16 of those as a NAUI instructor. He can be contacted at 260-526-6934 and/or nick.jeremiah@noaa.gov.

Coast Guard and NOAA conduct diver emergency training

2011-11-01T07:10:00.000-07:00

As part of the semi-annual rescue drill and dive skills refresher, divers from the Southeast Fisheries Science Center, and the Atlantic Ocean Meteorological Laboratory in Miami, FL participated in a joint exercise with the US Coast Guard on 27 October, 2011. The joint NOAA / USCG exercise served as invaluable training on the procedures for moving an unconscious diver if a USCG helicopter Medical Evacuation should become necessary. Boat operator LTJG Aaron Maggied worked with USCG External Affairs and Aviators to coordinate the simulated removal of an unconscious LTJG Lindsay Morrison. Miami-area divers logged over 1,000 Dives in 2010, and the potential for a serious dive accident is present. The knowledge gained through this exercise will improve the safety and efficiency of the rescue operation, should a real emergency call for the evacuation of a critical victim. The NOAA divers from the SEFSC and AOML thank the USCG Air Station Miami and the crew of H-65 6606, namely LCDR Matt Walker (USCG), LTJG Leslie Brown (USCG), and AS3 Nick Trimpe for their participation in this training evolution.

All Photos: U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.

BISCAYNE BAY, Fla. - Petty Officer 3rd Class Nick Trimpe, aviation survival technician at Coast Guard Air Station Opa Locka, teaches members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Miami how to use equipment during a injured diver simulation Oct. 27, 2011. This year, there have been more 10 diver deaths and this training was to help NOAA members prepare themselves for a real situation. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.

BISCAYNE BAY, Fla. – Members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in Miami stabilize and give oxygen to another member of NOAA during an injured diver simulation conducted with the Coast Guard Oct. 27, 2011. With the recent influx of diving incidents in Florida, the Coast Guard and NOAA came up with the training to help better prepare them in case of a real emergency. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.

BISCAYNE BAY, Fla. – Members of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration prepare to help Petty Officer 3rd Class Nick Trimpe, an aviation survival technician, aboard their vessel where they were simulating an injured diver case Oct. 27, 2011. Trimpe taught the NOAA crew the importance and how to use different types of rescue equipment, preparing them for a real scenario. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.

BISCAYNE BAY, Fla. – National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Lt. j.g. Aaron Maggied handles the line connecting stokes litter to a MH-65 Dolphin helicopter during an injured diver simulation Oct. 27, 2011. There have been more than 60 diver incidents in Florida in 2011 and in 2010 there were only 44. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Jon-Paul Rios.

The NOAA Diving Center assisted the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS)

2011-10-28T12:41:00.000-07:00

The NOAA Diving Center assisted the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS) with the recovery of two oceanographic moorings with equipment valued at over $10,000 and containing six weeks of data. Early fall storms had buried mooring anchors in sediment, making them irretrievable from the surface. Since 2000, between April and October, the OCNMS has deployed 12 or more moorings to collect oceanographic data to document water circulation and upwelling, low oxygen, and algal bloom events. Because funding does not support a more robust mooring design, the sanctuary retrieves moorings before they are lost to the Pacific Ocean’s winter storms. Since 2009, the sanctuary has been unable to support a dive team, which in the past has salvaged irretrievable moorings and installations that lost their surface floats. The assistance of the NOAA Diving Center prevented abandonment of the moorings and the loss of valuable data and equipment. The dive team was comprised of CDR Joel Dulaigh, LT Ryan Wattam, Zachary Hileman, and Jim Bostick. The dive operation was conducted off of the sanctuary’s R/V Tatoosh.

Mooring buoys turn 30 this year.

2011-10-28T11:10:00.000-07:00

FKNMS Diver David Becker

The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Mooring Buoy team monitors, repairs and installs valuable resource protecting buoys along the coral reef tract in the Florida Keys. This system was developed over 30 years ago by NOAA Resource Manager John Halas who tested the first mooring systems on French Reef in June 1981. To date there are over 470 mooring buoys available in the Florida Keys sanctuary. The embedment anchor system is now used in over 38 countries around the world.

Buoy installations include surface supported hydraulic tools to embed the hard bottom anchor eye and “MANTA RAY” anchor system into the soft sea bottom. When the ocean floor can’t be penetrated, a drill system using a special hollow two inch core barrel is used.

NOAA Diver Kent Edwards and David Becker install a mooring buoy on the Speigel Grove (above). Photos submitted by Brenda Altmeier.

MANTA RAY anchors are 8 feet long with a spade-like head that pivots. Once the anchor is driven into the soft substrate using an underwater jack hammer, a load locker is fitted over the rod and a hydraulic device is connected to the rod lifting it and locking the shovel end in an horizontal position.


Manta Ray mooring buoy anchors

The heavy equipment is lifted to and from the vessel by a davit system. Lift bags are utilized to bring equipment from the seafloor back to the surface. Once the anchor is installed, a shackle and mooring buoy line system are attached and the mooring is ready for use.

R/V Agassiz

The R/V Agassiz is a Key West number one hull employed into NOAA service in the late 80’s. The vessel is specially outfitted for mooring installations and maintenance. It is named for early marine scientist Professor Louis Agassiz who studied the Florida coral reefs in 1851. “I may say that here, as in most cases where the operations of nature interfere with the designs of man, it is not by a direct intervention on our part that we may remedy the difficulties, but rather by a precise knowledge of their causes, which may enable us, if not to check, at least to avoid the evil consequences.” ("Extracts from the report of Professor Agassiz to the Superintendent of the Coast Survey, on the examination of the Florida reefs, keys, and coast").

FKNMS Mooring Buoy Staff include: David Becker, Robert Snyder, Brady Booton, Olly Adams, Alex Creedon, Damon Jackler, and Noel Kartman and Kent Edwards.

Article and Photos submitted by:

Brenda Altmeier

Program Support Specialist

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

http://floridakeys.nos.noaa.gov

http://www.maritimeheritage.noaa.gov

DUSA Program Update

2011-09-22T07:49:00.000-07:00

I am pleased to announce that after two years of development I expect that the Diving Unit Assessment (DUSA) program will be operational by October, 2011 with unit assessments to begin in November, 2011. The majority of the program is ready for distribution and has been turned over to administrative support for final review and publication.

We will be inspecting the units by region beginning with the West Coast /Hawaiian Islands. I will be working with the LODO/SODO and UDSs to schedule individual inspections dates. Each unit is asked to provide three dates for inspection within different quarters of the FY to assist in constructing a tentative schedule. Each inspection is expected to take two full days.

The DUSA Policy and Standards and Procedures Manual has been approved and sent to all divers. These documents both establish authority to conduct these inspections and describe participant roles and responsibilities within the DUSA program. Please review these documents for a better understanding of the program.

A PowerPoint presentation has also been created for use during unit inspection. This will ensure consistency in inspection procedures and standards from Unit to Unit. These requirements are also codified in either the Science or Working Standards and Safety Manuals. All participants are required to complete this training and keep a Certificate of Completion with their unit records with a copy sent to UDS. In the future this training will also be available through the Commerce Learning Center (CLC). I will notify you when it is ready for viewing.

It is my goal to assist the NDP in becoming aware and compliant with all applicable safety regulations and ask for everyone’s patience and cooperation as we get this program off the ground. As with any new program, there will inevitably be changes and improvements that will need to be made along the way and I welcome your observations and suggestions for improving the program. Please feel free to contact me with any questions at steve.urick@noaa.gov or 206.526.6223.

Best Regards,

Steve Urick

NOAA Diving Safety Officer

New DOT and TC Hydro Test Rules

2011-08-15T09:32:00.000-07:00

The Department of Transportation has recently changed Special Permit 14157.
SP14157 covers all Worthington Cylinder X-Series, 3442 PSI steel scuba cylinders. Changes to SP14157 include how the cylinder is evaluated for pass / fail at the time of re-qualification hydro test. These cylinders are no longer evaluated by the percentage of Permanent Expansion. These cylinders are now evaluated for pass / fail by the REE (Rejection Elastic Expansion). That is, the Elastic Expansion cannot exceed the Rejection Elastic Expansion. The REE is stamped into the shoulder of every X-Series Worthington cylinder.

A similar change has also occurred to Transport Canada's TC-SU 4957 Equivalency Certificate.

Please note that these changes do not have any effect on Worthington LP-Series DOT 3AA steel cylinders or Worthington aluminum 3AL aluminum cylinders.

Worthington Cylinders continues to recommend that the Hydrostatic Requalification Procedures released on June 4, 2010 are followed.

US DOT SP14157
Transport Canada SU-4957
Worthington Notice

Jr. Science Camp

2011-08-09T09:22:00.000-07:00

NDC also hosted a "junior science camp" for a group of local preschoolers. They also got to try on gear and talk to the diver in the training tower.

NOAA Science Camp 2011

2011-08-09T08:56:00.000-07:00

NOAA Diving Center Manager, Doug Schleigher
(outside the tank) and NDC Training Specialist,
Zach Hileman (inside the tank) take
questions from students.

The ninth annual NOAA Science Camp was held in Seattle in July 2011. During the sessions, which ran for two weeks from July 18-22 and July 25-29, a diverse group of middle-school campers learned about NOAA science and careers through a variety of hands-on education activities led by Scientists from nine NOAA offices.

The Diving Center hosted the campers three days a week for two hours. The campers took turns both driving and diving in the Jeff chamber on a simulated 60’ dive. They were shown different types of diving equipment, including SCUBA and surface supplied, and they had the opportunity to try on SCUBA equipment as well as breathe off an AGA mask. They also observed divers in the training tower. The divers were outfitted with comms so the campers could ask questions.

Every week, a group of campers would come back to the Diving Center as a team to conduct a mock dive in hopes to glean useful information about a hypothetical environmental incident – a fish kill discovered on a Puget Sound beach. They took turns searching the parking lot in blacked-out masks to simulate a zero visibility dive. The campers found evidence of a boat wreck and on the final dive, discovered a sunken boat. They were encouraged to use problem solving skills that divers often use and work together as buddy teams to convey what they had found to topside via radios.

NOAA Science Camp’s unique approach demonstrates NOAA’s wide diversity of science in one integrated educational camp, where campers and their families learn how NOAA offices work together to provide information and address environmental issues which affect their daily lives.

2011-07-29T14:34:00.000-07:00

Photo Courtesy of B. Altmeier FKNMS

On June 23rd, 2011, Florida Keys National Marine Sancutary Staff along with NOAA divers Lauri MacLaughlin and Brenda Altmeier coordinated a project to document the biological characteristics of the 1733 shipwreck site of the El Infante. The team of NOAA and State staff included Altmeier from the FKNMS Maritime Heritage Program; Hank Becker, the State of Florida Marine Services Supervisor from the Mooring Buoy Team and Lauri MacLaughlin, Resource Management Specialist from the Damage Assessment and Restoration Team. The site was divided into four sections using two base lines. Resource Specialist and sanctuary Biologist Lauri MacLaughlin performed the biological characterization survey while Altmeier recorded changes/alterations to site features, photographed species and recorded sea life. The two base lines divided the site South to North for 218 feet and East to West for 126 feet. Surveys were completed successfully the species list and characterization will be available for baseline data future projects and site monitoring. http://1733shipwreck.shutterfly.com/monitoring

NOAA Diver Lauri MacLauglin
Photo Courtesy of B. Altmeier FKNMS

Photo Courtesy of B. Altmeier FKNMS

The wreck known as Marker 39 was documented in 2009 through a joint project with the State of Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research. The 150 foot shipwreck rests in 15 - 20 feet of water off shore of Key Largo consists of the remnants of a lower hull of a heavily built vessel that has collapsed and eroded on the seafloor. The exposed width is around 20 feet with a line of iron bolts upright in the timbers. Vessels like the Marker 39 may have been used in the construction of the Overseas Railroad. The structure provides an ideal home for the invasive fish.

While monitoring the site the NOAA divers discovered Lionfish interspersed among the shipwreck structure. The NOAA divers were trained by the REEF for the proper way in which to approach and collect the invasive species. Lionfish have venomous dorsal, ventral and anal spines and must be properly handled. A special collection kit has been put together and distributed for use in Lionfish capture.


NOAA Diver Brenda Altmeier capturing Indo-Pacific lionfish (Pterois-volitans) during the routine monitoring of a historical site in the FKNMS Northern Region.

Photo courtesy of Brenda Altmeier

The NOAA Center for Coastal Fisheries and Habitat Research states that Lionfish are cpapble of permanently impacting native reef fish communinties across multiple trophic levels. FKNMS Staff and local organiztions such as the Reef Enviromental Eduacation Foundation (REEF) have executed an eradication campaign to aid in slowing down the Lionfish population.

How to report, capture, fillet, cook Lionfish
http://www.reef.org/programs/exotic/lionfish/resources

Annual Medical History Update

2011-07-20T10:46:00.000-07:00

Greetings to all divers. I would like to remind everyone that your Annual Medical History is due in the anniversary month of your dive physical, unless you are completing a complete physical this year. Judging by the number of reports turned in, I suspect we are about 25% compliant with this requirement, however, due to the technical problems we are currently having with the diver data base, I cannot tell who is or is not compliant. You are on the honor system at the moment. When the problems are resolved, we will be able to run a report of who has not submitted their Annual Medical History and those individuals will be immediately suspended. So, please go to your dive log and look at the date of your exam. If the month in which it was done is July (no matter what the year), you are due this month. If it was June, you missed it – please do it now! If it was done in May, I think you get the picture. Thank you for helping us to stay compliant with diving regulations.

Dive Safe!
CDR Joel Dulaigh

From the Desk of Celest -

2011-06-02T07:27:00.000-07:00

T.R.I. Air Test kits will be mailed around the 3rd week of July. If ships are not going to be inport during that time, or other circumstances would prevent conducting the test during that period, please let NDC know and the kit can be mailed at a more convenient time or to a specific destination. Please contact Celestia Mayasleca at 206-526-6932 or celestia.mayasleca@noaa.gov to make any changes or request assistance.

May 2011 Working Diver Class Training

2011-05-29T08:23:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to the most recent graduates of the May 2011 NOAA Working Diver class held in Key West, FL


Graduates from left to right - Carl Noblitt, NOAA Ship Rainier; Jerrod Hozendorf, NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, Colin Davis, NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown; ENS Jennifer Wegener, NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter; John Pohl, NWFSC; ENS David Rodzeiwicz, NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson; ENS Philip Klavon. NOAA Ship McArthur II; ENS Lyndsey Keen, NOAA Ship Hi'ialakai; ENS Scott Broo, NOAA Ship Fairweather.

ENS Phil Klavon assists his dive buddy with pre-dive prep.

Instructor and Diving Medical Officer LCDR Joel Dulaigh


ENS Wegener and ENS Keen prepare to enter the water

New NOAA Air Deco Tables

2011-05-05T07:53:00.000-07:00

To all NOAA Divers and Supervisors,

In 2008, the US Navy published a new no-decompression dive table for use with compressed air.It is NOAA’s intention to adopt the new table for all no-decompression air diving operations.

The new table is already being taught during the Working Diver Course and the NDCSB is concerned that there may be confusion on the dive station with the intermingling of the old and new table.Therefore, all NOAA divers are required to start using the new table as soon as possible, but no later than 31 July 2011.

The main differences between the old and new table are:

Chart 1:

·different maximum no-decompression times at selected depths ·a 55-foot depth row ·different emergency decompression stop depths (20 feet) and times ·different ending RGD letters

Chart 2

·variable maximum surface interval table times (i.e., 12 hours is no longer the standard maximum) ·different beginning and ending RDG letters

Chart 3

·different residential nitrogen times and adjusted no-stop repetitive dive times ·a 55-foot depth column

Prior to using the table, NOAA divers must complete training in its use.The NDC has prepared an on-line PowerPoint presentation on the new table, followed by a 20-question quiz.The presentation is currently accessible from the Commerce Learning Center (CLC) and NDC Website.All divers with NOAA email addresses (e.g., Jane.Diver@noaa.gov) are asked to complete the training using the CLC site which will allow us to track completion of the training.Those without NOAA email addresses may access the training via the NDC website.

After July 31, 2011, the old table will no longer be authorized for use for NOAA diving operations. In the interim, the on-site Divemaster or Lead Diver will determine which set of decompression tables to use for a specific dive operation based on his/her familiarity with the tables.

Please contact Celest Mayasleca at Celestia.Mayasleca@noaa.gov or (206) 526-6932 if you have any problems accessing the presentation.Ms. Mayasleca can also email the presentation to those unable to access either website.

Thank you, in advance, for your compliance with this new requirement.

David A. Dinsmore

NOAA Diving Program Manager

NOAA Diving Center

7600 Sand Point Way, NE

Seattle, WA 98115-0070

(206) 526-6705 Office

(206) 669-9842 Cell

(206) 526-6506 Fax

USE OF TETHERED SCUBA DIVING TO MEET AOB OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

2011-05-02T12:49:00.000-07:00

Three years ago when the NOAA Diving Program implemented new diving regulations following the dive fatality, our unit faced the dilemma of how to meet the new manning requirements for conducting working dives. Prior to the new requirements our unit used two divers and one tender to complete water level stations in Puerto Rico, VI's, and along the east coast.

At the UDS conference in 2009, the NDC presented information on "tethered" scuba diving. This method utilizes one tethered scuba diver equipped with hard-wire communications, a standby diver, and a designated PIC who also functions as a tender. This seemed like a good solution to our staffing problem.

Working with the staff at the NDC, we purchased five sets of the tethered
equipment. Each set consisted of:

Two 200' communication umbilical's with integrated D-ring and spinnaker snap shackles
Two Kirby Morgan M48 full-face masks with integrated two-way OTS microphone assemblies
One MK 7 portable communication set providing two-way communications between supervisor and divers
Two fully adjustable Miller Diving harnesses
One Pelican Series 1690 storage case
Two 5 gallon buckets w/lids modified to hold COM cables.

Training in the use of this equipment was conducted by Bill Gordon and Greg McFall at the Field Operation Division for AOB in Chesapeake, VA in 2009. Since that time the AOB has purchased seven additional sets - enough to cover divers at the Atlantic office as well as divers at the Pacific Operations Branch (POB), our sister office in Seattle, WA.

With the exception of a few new additions to our unit, all of our divers have been trained in tethered scuba diving procedures and all of our diving operations are now conducted using this system. Tethered diving has allowed our unit to meet the OSHA and NOAA manning requirements for diving.

Though necessary to overcome our manning limitations, the new system was not initially embraced by the dive team because of the additional equipment requirements of having the hardwired COMS line attached to the diver's safety harness. However, most of the Units divers, including myself, have now accepted the practice. By having COMs, divers can communicate with the topside tenders concerning problems or to request tools, equipment or hardware be sent down without having to surface. Being tethered to the surface also allows diver to dive in current greater than 1-knot, which is an OSHA requirement.

I was asked to write this article to share our unit's experience with the tethered scuba diving system. Our experience has been very positive and I would encourage other NOAA units who are faced with the same manning limitations to consider it. My crew and I have been using the COMs now for 3 ½ years and haven't experience any problems with getting tangled or snagged. I hope this article helps other NOAA units learn how tethered COMs diving can help your dive team meet its operational objectives. Without the option of tethered scuba, our office would likely not be diving today.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about the operational use of tethered scuba diving techniques and equipment.

Richard Girard
Senior Crew Chief and UDS
Atlantic Operations Branch (AOB), Chesapeake, VA.
richard.girard@noaa.gov.

NDC Earth Day Clean Up 2011

2011-04-25T13:58:00.000-07:00

NDC celebrated Earth Day with its second annual Earth Day Clean Up Dive.  Seven NOAA divers scoured the shoreline of Lake Washington west of the WRC basin with goodie bags in hand.  They returned to the surface with a assortment of garbage, ranging from aluminum cans and glass bottles to more unusual items like a barbell weight!

ENS Proie showing off her haul.



NOAA divers take pride in their impressive haul! (from left to right:
Katie Mahaffey, ENS Andrea Proie, CDR Mark Boland, Manuel Cruz, ENS Bart
Buesseler, LCDR Joel Dulaigh, and LTJG Ryan Wattam)

DUI Weight & Trim Classic and DUI Weight & Trim II Problems

2011-04-18T13:53:00.000-07:00

     DUI Weight & Trim System Owners


DUI Weight & Trim Classic and DUI Weight & Trim II
Purchased since July 2010 with Gray Handles


DUI recently became aware of a problem with some DUI Weight & Trim Systems
shipped after July 2010. If the lanyard and/or cables are not the right
length the weight pockets do not easily detach from the harness when the
handle is pulled. In the unlikely situation a handle is pulled in an
emergency situation, this could prevent the weights from easily dropping as
designed.


All of the Systems affected have GRAY fabric handles. Systems with yellow
plastic handles are NOT affected.


No incidents have been reported.


If you have one of these Systems, stop using it immediately and call DUI at
(800)325-8439 or e-mail CustomerService@DUI-Online.com to receive
appropriate instructions.


We greatly appreciate your assistance in helping us to effect these repairs
immediately.

2011-04-08T09:56:00.000-07:00

Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary has partnered with Fourth Element, a UK company, to produce impressive, true-to-life, visual interactives of seven Thunder Bay shipwrecks. These 3D maps can be used as an educational tool and for divers to familiarize themselves with the site for pre-dive planning.... and they just look cool!

This collaboration aligns well with the sanctuary program's mission to promote public awareness and understanding of the value of our maritime cultural resources...as we know, "we protect what we love!"

Ocean Technology Systems Recalls Guardian Full-Face Diving Masks Due to Drowning Hazard

2011-03-23T07:35:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 22, 2011
Release #11-180

Firm's Recall Hotline: (877) 270-1984
CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908
HC Media Contact: (613) 957-2983

Ocean Technology Systems Recalls Guardian Full-Face Diving Masks Due to Drowning Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.
Name of Product: Guardian full-face diving masks
Units: About 1,700 in the U.S. and 80 in Canada
Manufacturer: Undersea Systems International Inc. dba Ocean Technology Systems, of Santa Ana, Calif.
Hazard: The purge assembly on the diving mask can disengage from the regulator, resulting in loss of air to the diver. This poses a drowning hazard to the consumer.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received one report of a disengaged assembly. No injuries have been reported.
Description: This recall involves Guardian full-face diving masks with serial numbers 9051284 through 100070954. The serial number is printed on the main regulator body. The diving masks were sold in black with blue accent colors. The Ocean Technology Systems' logo is affixed to the front of the mask.
Sold by: Diving equipment retailers and direct sales nationwide from September 2010 through November 2010 for about $800.
Manufactured in: Taiwan
Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the diving masks and contact Ocean Technology Systems for instructions on conducting a test of the regulator and returning the masks for a free repair.
Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact Ocean Technology Systems toll-free at (877) 270-1984 anytime, or visit the firm's website at www.otscomm.com. Consumers can also email the firm at recall@otscomm.com
Note: Health Canada's press release is available at http://cpsr-rspc.hc-sc.gc.ca/PR-RP/recall-retrait-eng.jsp?re_id=1299

---

CPSC is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about it by visiting www.saferproducts.gov

Charles (Wendy) Taylor retiring from NOAA Fisheries

2011-03-16T10:24:00.000-07:00

Charles "Wendy" Taylor

After 30+ years as a NOAA Diver and well over 1200 logged dives, Charles (Wendy) Taylor has plans to retire from NOAA in September 2011. Wendy is the Engineering Team leader at the Harvesting Systems Unit, in Pascagoula, MS and supervises the Fisheries Methods and Equipment Specialists (FMES) at the Unit. http://www.sefsc.noaa.gov/labs/mississippi/harvesting_systems.htm

Wendy has worked for the Harvesting Systems Unit of the Pascagoula, MS laboratory for 33 years. In December, 1979 Wendy attended the NOAA working diver class in Miami, FL which, at that time, was run by Dick Rutkowski and Morgan Wells.  A few years after dive school, Wendy served as surface support for the Aquarius Habitat in St.Croix, USVI.  Wendy along with Ian Workman and John Watson improved techniques for diving on and videotaping shrimp and fish trawls.

Wendy in the net shop

Wendy and Ian were also the first to dive on and videotape high opening mid-water fish trawls from the NOAA ship Chapman. In the following years, Harvesting Systems spent a great deal of time developing and improving the turtle excluder device (TED) which replaced the turtle barrier. The unit developed a TED (the NMFS TED) which also incorporated a bycatch excluder device (BRD)within it. Fish exclusion from shrimp trawls soon became an important ecological issue. With vast knowledge of how shrimp trawls functioned he became an integral part of designing and testing BRDs.  The records show that Wendy has logged 1207 dives although he made several hundred dives prior to the implementation of the NDC diver data base. Wendy has now hung up his fins and is looking forward to retirement and returning to Georgia with wife Mary Ann to continue his hobby of fishing.

Gulf Divers Experiencing Health Problems, Blood Contaminated With Petroleum Hydrocarbons

2011-03-15T12:28:00.000-07:00

NDC was recently forwarded an article published on the Lower Mississippi RiverKeepers Blog regarding health problems experienced by scientific divers with a small non-profit group after diving in the Gulf Region in the summer and early fall of 2010 and thought that it might be of interest to some of our divers.

http://lmrk.org/issues/bp-s-deep-water-drilling-disaster/gulf-divers-experiencing-health-problems-blood-contaminated-with-petroleum-hydrocarbons.html

From the DMO - Chantix and Diving

2011-03-10T10:27:00.000-08:00

Hello Divers!  I just finished listening to the March Diving Medicine
Fellowship Conference hosted by Duke Dive Medicine.  The Docs from LSU
Hyperbaric Medicine presented a very interesting case regarding the use of
Chantix and diving.  Chantix is a medication used to assist in smoking
cessation.  There is much concern regarding the potential for psychological
side effects and diving.  At this point, we do not prohibit the use of
Chantix while diving, however several commercial diving organizations have.
The US Navy's current policy does not prohibit the use of Chantix, although
the new draft of MANMED Ch. 15-102 (Manual of Navy Medicine) does limit the
member to only administrative duties while using the drug.  I did check with
the Navy DMOs in Panama City and they are currently not using Chantix.  If
you are currently using Chantix or plan to start, or have any other
questions regarding your medical status and diving, give me a call and we
can talk about it.  As always - Dive Safe!

LCDR Joel Dulaigh, NP, USPHS
NOAA Diving Medical Officer
NOAA Diving Program
7600 Sand Point Way NE, Bldg 8
Seattle, WA  98115
Office: 206-526-6474
Fax: 206-529-2759
www.ndc.noaa.gov

New Medical Fax Number

2011-03-10T09:57:00.000-08:00

I have a new fax number that goes directly to the DMO computer.  The
general fax number (206-526-6506) is still good and should be used for
non-medical business.  Please use the medical fax number ONLY if you are
faxing medical records.  You can also still save them as a pdf and send
electronically.  When you fax to this number, the computer automatically
turns it into a pdf, but the quality is dependent on the quality of the
sending fax machine.  The new medical fax line is 206-529-2759.

LCDR Joel Dulaigh, NP, USPHS
NOAA Diving Medical Officer
Office: 206-526-6474
Fax: 206-529-2759

NOAA DIVING PROGRAM COMPLETES FIRST SCIENTIFIC DIVER INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSE

2011-02-10T12:37:00.000-08:00

The NOAA Diving Program conducted its first ever Scientific Diver Instructor Training Course, January 31 - February 4, 2011, at the Florida Keys Community College, Key West, FL. The purpose of the course was to train and certify NOAA divers to conduct training for individuals wanting to become NOAA Scientific Divers.

D. Dinsmore presenting material to class

Class receiving pre-dive briefing from Bill Gordon

Students received classroom instruction, performed numerous scuba diving and rescue skills in the pool and open-water, presented short PowerPoint lessons, and participated in the extraction of a diver from the open-water using a Jason’s Cradle®.

Hans Van Tilburg instructing group in scuba skills

Group conducting extrication drill in FKCC lagoon

Graduates of the course included: Tane Casserley (NOS Alpena, MI),

Sean Meehan (NMFS St. Petersburg, FL), Hans Van Tilburg (NOS Honolulu, HI),

Barry Smith (NMFS Milford, CT), Joe Scarpa (FLFWS, Key West,FL),

Greg McFall (NOS Savannah, GA), Mitchell Tartt (NOS Silver Spring, MD),

Roger Mays (NOS Beaufort, NC), Jack Javech (NMFS Miami, FL),

Gregg Gitschlag (NMFS Galveston, TX), Andy David (NMFS Panama City,FL),

Ray Boland (NMFS Honolulu, HI).

A second Instructor Training Course is scheduled for June 13 - 17, 2011 at the NOAA Diving Center. Any NOAA divers interested in attending this course should contact Doug Schleiger at: Douglas.Schleiger@noaa.gov. Following this second course, all individuals wanting to become NOAA Scientific Divers will have to be trained by one of these certified instructors.

Congratulations to all the graduates of this special course.

Cylinder Failure Instructor Advisory

2011-02-09T15:10:00.000-08:00

January 2011 Working Diver Class Training

2011-01-31T14:30:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to the most recent graduates of the 2011 January Working Diver and Dive Master courses held in Key West, Florida.

Working Divers - Matthew Dunlap, Ens. Anthony Klemm, LT Carl Rhodes, Ens. Richard Park, Daniel Johnson, Ens. Bart Buesseler, Ens. Gillian Faustine, Ens. Michael Doig, Ens. Kelly Schill, Brian Hauk, Max Sudnovsky, Scott Jones, Darrell Walker, Michael Shelter, Ens. Jesse Milton, Sean Mooney and Tommy Abbas.

Dive Masters - Wayne Nowocien, ENS Lindsay Morrison, Chris Metzger, Mills Dunlap,Justin Keese,

LT James Brinkely, Todd Recicar, and Manuel Cruz.

Unit Diving Inspections

2010-12-13T13:04:00.000-08:00

The Unit Diving Inspection Checklist was developed for Unit Diving Supervisors (UDSs) and Divemasters to conduct annual unit self-inspections. Individual units (including ships and sub-units) are responsible for ensuring that this inspection is completed and documented. Annual inspections by units, sub-units, and ships are REQUIRED by the NOAA Diving Program and Diving Safety Officer.
The inspection checklist (http://www.ndc.noaa.gov/forms.html) provides NOAA-wide guidelines for the condition and requirements of dive units/lockers to ensure unit operational readiness and safety. When completing the checklist, be critical and thorough in identifying deficiencies. Upon completion, the results are
to be forwarded to your Line Office Diving Officer (LODO)/OMAO Diving Officer (ODO). A copy of the completed checklist should also be kept at the unit. After careful review, the LODOs will forward the completed checklists to the NOAA Diving Center (NDC) and NOAA Diving Safety Officer (NDSO). Any discrepancies are to be evaluated by the UDS/LODO/ODO and corrected by the unit as soon as possible. Completed checklists are due annually to the unit LODO/ODO by January 15. Checklists are due from the LODO/ODO to NDC by January 31. Contact your immediate diving supervisor or the NOAA Diving Center if you have any questions about this self-inspection process.

T.R.I. Air Tests

2010-12-10T16:24:00.001-08:00

T.R.I. Air Test kits will be mailed around the 3^rd week of January. If ships are not going to be inport during that time, or other circumstances would prevent conducting the test during that period, please let NDC know and the kit can be mailed at a more convenient time or to a specific destination. Please contact Celestia Mayasleca at 206-526-6932 or celestia.mayasleca@noaa.gov to make any changes or request assistance.

2010-12-10T15:27:00.000-08:00

In October, a 3-day expedition onboard the NOAA R/V Shearwater to record submerged maritime heritage resources was completed at the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. Site surveys included searching for the F/V Dante Alighieri II, lost in 1938 at Santa Barbara Island and submerged sites below the original lighthouse structure at the northern end of the island.


Valley Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island site of the Cold War Shore facility. Photo credit: Robert V. Schwemmer, NOAA-CINMS

Channel Islands NMS Research Coordinator Steve Katz (left) and his diving partner Patrick Smith, a volunteer with the Coastal Maritime Archaeology Resource group on board the R/V Shearwater after completing a dive on one of the buoys.

Photo credits: Robert V Schwemmer, NOAA-CINMS

Steve Katz videotaping one of the Cold War era mooring buoys at Valley Anchorage. Photo credit: Robert V Schwemmer, NOAA-CINMS

The science team then relocated to Valley Anchorage, Santa Cruz Island to search for the submerged remnants related to the Cold War era shore facility at the anchorage. Although the team of divers did not locate a dive chamber used to splice wiring from the shore facility to offshore hydrophone monitoring stations that tracked enemy submarines and communicated with submerged U.S. Navy submarines, the dive team did locate two mooring buoys used at the site by General Motors' Delco-Remy scientist. The large submerged buoys now provide habitat for the diversified marine like community including Giant Sea Bass, The shipwreck reconnaissance program, in collaboration with the Channel Islands Sanctuary, Channel Islands National Park, Coastal Maritime Archaeology Resources volunteer organization and the Stage of California, dates back to the 1980s.

Photo credit: Robert V. Schwemmer, NOAA-CINMS

Steve Katz and Patrick Smith should have stayed in thier wetsuits as they grill dinner for the science team during a rain squall off Santa Cruz Island. Photo credit: Robert V. Schwemmer, NOAA-CINMS

2010-11-04T08:46:00.000-07:00

NOAA Science Diver Amy Uhrin's entry in the NC Aquariums underwater pumkin carving contest.

Pumpkin Dive Brief

Technical Dive Team Completes Safety Rescue Training

2010-10-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

By Robert Schwemmer
West Coast Regional Maritime Heritage Coordinator

Greg McFall & Thor Dunmire preparing the Hyperlite Hyperbaric Stretcher & Treatment system on the upper deck of the R/V Fulmar. (Photo Tane Casserley/NOAA Sanctuaries)

The technical dive team met the R/V Fulmar at the Bodega Bay loading dock at 1:00 p.m. today to start prepping dive equipment for Thursday's planned dive on Cordell Bank. As part of the preparations for the upcoming mission, the dive team ran through various rescue scenarios. Doug Kesling of The University of North Carolina at Wilmington/ Cooperative Institute for Ocean Exploration, Research, and Technology (CIOERT) conducted a demo of the Hyperlite Hyperbaric Stretcher & Treatment system for the Bodega Bay Fire Department who would be responsible for emergency ground transportation of a diver that might suffer diver related illnesses such as decompression sickness or air embolism. The Hyperlite can be transported under pressure, equal to a dive up to a depth of 60 feet. While under pressure, nitrogen bubbles in the diver's blood system will dissolve over time. Even with the system pressurized, it's still mobile and the diver can be transported either by air or land. The Hyperlite can be setup on the Fulmar within 10 minutes, which is critical for early treatment that leads to timely full resolution of the sickness.

Doug Kesling sealing the Hyperlite Hyperbaric port as the chamber is pressurized. (Photo Tane Casserley/NOAA Sanctuaries)

Now to properly demonstrate the Hyperlite unit, there must be a volunteer willing to take the dive, and in this case I was volunteered. Actually, I was a willing participant because God forbid I needed to use the chamber, I wanted to know what to expect. Initially I was put on a fabric stretcher, strapped in and hooked up with a breathing mask and communication system. I was then lifted and placed head first into the chamber part way, then pulled through from the other end. When I was positioned in the center of the chamber, acrylic ports were put into place at both ends.

Diver Robert Schwemmer enters the Hyperlite Hyperbaric Stretcher & Treatment system. (Photo Tane Casserley/NOAA Sanctuaries)

Greg McFall, Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary Deputy Superintendent and part of the technical dive team, communicated each step of the process over the communication system, and checked on my progress through each phase. If you were prone to claustrophobia, you might have some difficulty dealing with this tight environment which ultimately would improve when pressurized. The chamber was then sealed and they began pumping air in that created some heat in addition to the ambient heat from the sun on the upper deck of the Fulmar. Just like making an underwater dive, you need to clear you ears as the chamber is pressurized. I was also asked to maintain the finger OK sign; this would allow one of the technicians to watch my progress through the acrylic port at the head of the chamber. After being pumped down to about 20 feet, the firemen then lifted the chamber to practice transporting the Hyperlite. The chamber was then slowly vented as I made my accent and opened so I could exit. It was a great experience and I now know what to expect if I ever need the chamber.

Simulated unconscious diver Russ Green is being raised up in the gurney off the stern of the R/V Fulmar. (Photo Robert Schwemmer/NOAA Sanctuaries)

The next exercise was the unconscious diver recovery that was simulated by Russ Green, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Deputy Superintendent, and Thor Dunmire with The University of North Carolina at Wilmington/CIOERT. They are both part of the technical dive team and dressed out in their drysuits to make the plunge into Bodega Bay while taking turns placing the unconscious diver into the gurney that was lowered from the A-frame of the R/V Fulmar. Captain Dave Minard and 1st mate Hans Bruning of the Fulmar then used the winch system to raise the diver in the gurney from the surface of the water onto to the stern where further medical assistance would be administered if this was a true emergency. It's reassuring to know we have such a highly skilled team to address a diving emergency and look forward to diving in the days to come.

For more information on "Re-discovering Cordell Bank: Dive Expedition 30 Years Later" please visit the
http://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/missions/2010reefcrest/welcome.html

Topside

New NOAA Air Deco Tables

The Other Final Frontier - NY Times article

Rebreather Forum 3

Agencies work together to protect coral on seawall

Coast Guard and NOAA conduct diver emergency training

The NOAA Diving Center assisted the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary (OCNMS)

Mooring buoys turn 30 this year.

DUSA Program Update

New DOT and TC Hydro Test Rules

Jr. Science Camp

NOAA Science Camp 2011

Annual Medical History Update

From the Desk of Celest -

May 2011 Working Diver Class Training

New NOAA Air Deco Tables

USE OF TETHERED SCUBA DIVING TO MEET AOB OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

NDC Earth Day Clean Up 2011

DUI Weight & Trim Classic and DUI Weight & Trim II Problems

Ocean Technology Systems Recalls Guardian Full-Face Diving Masks Due to Drowning Hazard

Ocean Technology Systems Recalls Guardian Full-Face Diving Masks Due to Drowning Hazard

Charles (Wendy) Taylor retiring from NOAA Fisheries

Gulf Divers Experiencing Health Problems, Blood Contaminated With Petroleum Hydrocarbons

From the DMO - Chantix and Diving

New Medical Fax Number

NOAA DIVING PROGRAM COMPLETES FIRST SCIENTIFIC DIVER INSTRUCTOR TRAINING COURSE

Cylinder Failure Instructor Advisory

January 2011 Working Diver Class Training

Unit Diving Inspections

T.R.I. Air Tests

Technical Dive Team Completes Safety Rescue Training

By Robert Schwemmer West Coast Regional Maritime Heritage Coordinator

By Robert Schwemmer
West Coast Regional Maritime Heritage Coordinator