Executive Director’s Message

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ■ PHIL NEWSUM

I HOPE YOU WILL ENJOY and find this issue of Underwater magazine informative, as it spotlights new products, new trends and techniques for the offshore and inland sectors, as well as essential safety gear. Remember, the magazine is continually looking for articles to compliment the focus of each issue. Please refer to the 2011 Editorial Planner, which can be found at www.underwatermagazine.com.

Additionally, I want to thank everyone who participated and attended Underwater Intervention 2011. A special thanks to both the Kevin Hardy and Steve Struble for their tireless work in coordinating the Technical Program, as well as Bill Crowley, Drew Michel and Rebecca Roberts of the Show Committee. The standard practice of selling out the show’s floor space can squarely be attributed to the hard work of Rebecca Roberts. Her efforts are a big reason why, globally, Underwater Intervention continues to be the largest show of its kind.

ADCI Consensus Standards 6 th ed. Update

Sincere thanks to all of you that took the time to submit your comments during the Consensus Standards 90 Day Review Period. These comments were very helpful toward providing direction to the Consensus Standards Review Committee on further revisions required to the draft. The approach that was taken involved the Committee reviewing all comments submitted from 25 September to 12 December, during the course of several days of meetings. All comments submitted from 13 December to 25 December were then addressed at a subsequent series of meetings. Despite the fact that additional sets of comments were submitted after the deadline and outside of the electronic format designated, they were still very welcomed by the committee. The philosophy of the committee has always been to not exclude any comment(s), as they may contain that one piece of information which could add to the overall value of the document.

The Association is committed to continually review the Consensus Standards to ensure they reflect current best industry safe practices. It is truly an evergreen document. The Consensus Standards also reflect offshore and inland diving from an international perspective. It is not a Gulf of Mexico or North Sea document that solely focuses on offshore operational, manning or equipment requirements.

Presentations will be given during the course of the year to outline the comments that were submitted and the further revisions that were made, based on those comments.

In Closing

Unfortunately, 2011 got off to a rather regretful beginning with the fatality of two divers. Initial reports indicate that both fatalities involved the divers removing their helmet and mask. It would be inappropriate to speculate on the details surrounding these initial reports, while investigations of both incidents are still ongoing. With that said, it would be appropriate to reinforce the safe practice of only removing the helmet or mask once they are topside or at another designated safe location. Communication and confirmation between the diver and topside personnel is essential.

The ADCI sends it condolences to the friends and loved ones of both divers.