WINTER 2022 • ISSUE 4
TECHNOLOGY
USING OFFSHORE DEVELOPMENTS INSHORE SCUBA OR SURFACE SUPPLY
KEY FACTORS TO CONSIDER A CRITICAL RESOURCE
ALWAYS A PLACE FOR HUMAN SKILLS
ADC: The Association representing diving contractors involved with Inland/Inshore operations in the UK and Ireland
www.ProfessionalDiver.co.uk
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PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
WELCOME
EDITORIAL Publisher/Editor: Taira Caton taira@professionaldiver.co.uk Tel: 0333 121 5474 Copy Editor/Contributor: John Hancock john@professionaldiver.co.uk CONTRIBUTORS Paul Edwards, EDS; Alistair Blue, Briggs Marine; Hughes Subsea; Commercial Rib Charter. ADVERTISEMENTS Call 0333 121 5474 sales@professionaldiver.co.uk MAGAZINE PRODUCTION AND PRINTING Dean Cook, The Magazine Production Company, tel: 01273 911730 deancook@magazineproduction.com Professional Diver is a magazine published by UK ADC Ltd PO Box 3138, Reading. RG1 9FN. UK Tel: 0333 121 5474 Registered in England and Wales, 10382894. Registered office: 1 Cedar Office Park, Cobham Road, Wimborne, BH21 7SB ©2022 UK ADC Ltd. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publishers. Great care is taken to ensure accuracy in the preparation of this publication, but neither UK ADC Ltd or the editor can be held responsible for its contents. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not necessarily those of the Publishers. UK ADC Ltd. DISCLAIMER: The Association of Diving Contractors (the “Association”) provides any information, education and advice in good faith to its members for their convenience and reference. The Association accepts no liability for anything contained in the information provided or for the consequences of using such information in commercial contracting or otherwise. The employees and agents of the Association, including without limitation the Association Secretary, are not responsible in any way for the commercial or business consequences of using any Association resources or information provided or received in Association materials or during Association events. If you are in any doubt about the commercial or legal effect of any action, please take independent legal advice.
PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
Welcome to the latest Professional Diver. As you read this, we will have finalised preparations for our AGM this year, being held in Birmingham once again. Last year’s AGM was a great success with some fantastic speakers and high attendance from members. We hope to repeat this and, so far, the attendance is looking much higher than normal. We will be sharing an update on how ADC has performed over the past year with some industry updates and a line-up of great speakers. We are now back to operating as per normal and have set dates for our regional meetings this year. Thanks to our hosts JFD, HSE and The Historical Diving Society, we will be issuing agendas shortly and look forward to catching up with members regionally. The focus will be very much on addressing any key issues and concerns as well as moving forward with the production and review of key guidance documents. All input we receive from members is valued and we appreciate how our members are always keen to get involved and provide their valuable input and experience. Our latest edition of Professional Diver focuses on technology and how the adoption of technology in Diving can support diving jobs as well as improve diver safety but not replace divers. We hope our article on using Scuba or Surface Supply will make you think twice when considering the right equipment in terms of diver safety. Looking forward to seeing members at our AGM. Enjoy our latest edition of Professional Diver and ‘STAY SAFE’.
CONTENTS 5
8
Offshore technology for inshore challenges
14 ADC AGM 2021
Report from a successful meeting.
Some technology developed for the offshore sector can also be a valuable tool onshore.
16 Breathe safely
Offering a range of services with agility, to adapt to any challenge.
18 Company Member Focus: Commercial Rib Charter
Company Focus: Hughes Subsea Services Ltd (HSSL)
10 Scuba or Surface Supply?
The attributes of SCUBA and Surface supply for different types of diving.
12 Seawork 2022
A good event for ADC and stand sharing members.
The most basic and critical requirement for diving is clean air.
Commercial Rib Charter provides vessels for a range of commercial needs.
20 Commercial diving
Autonomous technology is good but only a diver can deal with complex and changing conditions.
COVER IMAGE Courtesy of Commercial Rib Charter 3
ADC Publications ADC INLAND/INSHORE DIVERS LOG BOOK
ADC Inland/Inshore Divers Log Book with record of Supervisor Activity. 177 pages with the option to log 5 daily dives per page. 18 pages to log record of supervisor activity Member Price: £22.00 Non-Member price: £25.50
ADC INLAND/INSHORE DIVING SUPERVISORS LOG BOOK
ADC Inland/Inshore Diving Supervisors Log Book. 199 pages with the option to log 3 daily dives per page. Member Price: £22.00 Non-Member price: £25.50
THE INSHORE DIVING SUPERVISORS MANUAL
Loose Leaf A5 size ADC Diving Supervisors Manual. Second Edition – Issue 6 Member Price £30.00 Non-Member Price: £45.00 VAT not applicable
MF 001 — MODEL SAFETY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
ADC-MSMS-001 Issue 1 Model Safety Management System Member Price £35.00 Non-Member Price: £45.00 VAT not applicable
MF 002 — MODEL FORMAT FOR THE ASSURANCE OF DIVING PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
ADC-MF002 Issue 1. Model Format for the Assurance of Diving Plant and Equipment applicable to Diving Contractors Working Inland/Inshore in the UK and Ireland. Member Price £35.00 Non-Member Price: £45.00 VAT not applicable
MF 003 — MODEL FORMAT FOR THE CREATION OF A CHAMBER OPERATORS HANDBOOK
ADC-MF003 Issue 1. Model Format for the creation of a Chamber Operators Handbook Member Price £35.00 Non-Member Price: £45.00 VAT not applicable
COP:001 — CONDUCTING DIVING OPERATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECTS.
ADC – CoP:001 Issue 2. Code of Practice for ‘Conducting Diving Operations in Connection with Renewable Energy Projects’. Member Price £35.00 Non-Member Price: £45.00 VAT not applicable
To order, visit: www.adc-uk.info/shop All pricing ex VAT. Price includes postage to a UK location.
Commercial diving A critical human resource in the age of technology
I
n the age where technology rules, it’s easy to dismiss human resource or intervention. As General Manager for the Diving Department at Briggs Marine, my thoughts on why commercial divers will always play a vital role in an increasingly autonomous world are shared in the article below. Each commercial diving project presents its own unique set of challenges. From the planning stages right through to a detailed debrief and report at the end of the dive, every aspect of the job calls on the knowledge, hard-won experience and determination of the dive team. Briggs Marine’s diving teams are highly trained and experienced in providing asset protection services to support subsea inspection, construction, repair and engineering services projects in remote and challenging locations.
Floating vessels, platforms, pipelines, power cables and dams Commercial diving encompasses a broad range of services that are mission-critical for the assurance of marine operations and safe maintenance of subsea assets. All floating vessels, including barges, oil rigs, boats and ships, need regular underwater PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
inspections for safety and regulatory purposes. Surveys and inspections that can be carried out whilst the vessel is in the water can save both time and money for the operator, compared to costly and time-consuming dry dock works. Briggs Marine divers are approved for in-water inspection by ABS, DNV, Lloyds Register and NKK. We are the class surveyor’s eyes under the water
“From the planning stages right through to a detailed debrief and report at the end of the dive, every aspect of the job calls on the knowledge, hardwon experience and determination of the dive team.” 5
and provide survey and inspection services across the UK and in The Falkland Islands. Sometimes, inspections uncover the need for emergency or ad-hoc repair works and these can vary greatly in complexity. Challenges range from removing debris from vessel propellers and thrusters or clearing obstructions from lock gates for port authorities, right through to repairing and patching the hulls of vessels whilst still afloat. Subsea power cables require specific intervention when inspection and repairs are due, particularly if they are situated in shallow water that is inaccessible for ROVs. Briggs Marine divers have worked on cable installation and repair projects at numerous offshore wind sites around the UK, supporting cable recovery, cutting and rigging and other tasks to complete jobs safely and efficiently.
Our divers also work on surveys and inspections for a range of other assets, including oil and gas pipelines and distillery outfall pipes (inspection and installation) as well as hydro power stations and dams. Dams require regular surveys, cleaning, stop-log fitting and removal among other routine and ad-hoc tasks in order to operate safely and efficiently.
Salvage, recovery and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
Another critical element of the work undertaken by commercial divers is that of salvage and debris recovery. Projects range from clearing cable routes of boulders and other debris to salvaging and supporting the surfacing of wrecks. All commercial divers work with a permanent awareness of unexploded ordnance (UXO). UXO
“Another critical element of the work undertaken by commercial divers is that of salvage and debris recovery. Projects range from clearing cable routes of boulders and other debris to salvaging and supporting the surfacing of wrecks.” 6
PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
“…there is sometimes also an input or intake pipeline as well as an outfall, and often these systems require significant quantities of water.”
requires various types of intervention, from risk assessment to removal, from highly skilled and specialist divers. Briggs Marine calls on a pool of specialist resource (some ex-Royal Navy divers) to complement its existing team on these types of projects.
The human element
Today’s autonomous technology is enhancing our understanding of the oceans, which is essential if we are to provide better stewardship of this global resource both now and in the future. Alongside this technology, commercial divers continue to play a vital role in safe marine operations and maintenance. A dynamic and agile dive team can respond quickly to varied and complex requirements and provide rapid intervention, often in confined spaces and with zero visibility, to keep ships moving and ports open for trade. Briggs Marine is a member of the Association of Diving Contractors (ADC) and our Inshore Diving Supervisors are all ADC certified. ADC Supervisor Certification is a seal of approval that indicates a broad range of knowledge across all aspects of the skills required for both inshore and nearshore dive sites. Our Offshore Dive PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
Supervisors hold IMCA Offshore Diving Supervisor certification, reinforcing that they have fulfilled the training requirements of the IMCA Diving Supervisor scheme and passed the relevant IMCA examination. In addition to industry certification, Briggs Marine has developed its own inhouse training programme, an extremely thorough and comprehensive course of e-learning that has been checked and approved by the Class Societies. The course covers every element of floating vessels and platforms and, combined with practical experience, this stands the team in good stead to tackle the multitude of challenges that they may be confronted with under the water.
“A dynamic and agile dive team can respond quickly to varied and complex requirements and provide rapid intervention…” 7
COMPANY MEMBER FOCUS
Hughes Subsea Services Ltd (HSSL)
H
ughes Subsea Services Ltd (HSSL) was founded in 2019 by Ian Hughes and has been proudly part of the OEG Group since 2021. The company is managed by a highly skilled workforce with over 100 years of combined experience in Underwater and Offshore IRM/Construction Projects. We benefit from a solid reputation within the industry for delivering added value in the form of safe, reliable and cost-effective solutions. HSSL has earned an international reputation for providing an innovative and high-quality service; our clients appreciate our
8
collaborative, flexible and responsive approach. Utilising innovative subsea techniques with modern robotic and remote tooling, our core service offering has evolved to include full seabed or site clearance: • UXO Identification, Relocation, Disposal and Site Certification; • Boulder Relocation and Debris Removal; • Commercial Diving Services; and… • Remotely Operated Vehicle Technologies. HSSL is a company which prides itself on providing the highest quality services throughout
every project regardless of size, scope or cost. Since our foundation, there has been a consistently realised policy of completing all projects on time and on budget, with minimal inconvenience to the client and with a high-quality service delivered to satisfy any need. We apply ourselves to any challenge in the most vigorous possible manner, and we always strive to impress, achieving the objectives of a given project safely and efficiently. To demonstrate this HSSL are members (in addition to the ADC) of the following organisations:
PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
What makes HSSL different?
Firstly, we work hard to cultivate an extremely flexible ‘can do’ attitude; striving to adapt and overcome every challenge we face in a creative
and efficient manner. Above all, we work in close partnership with our clients, and their requirements remain our top priority at all times. Our constant focus is to assist in any way we can, working collaboratively to ensure that every project is carried out successfully — right from the start. Secondly, we employ only highly experienced engineers with wide-ranging competencies in Subsea Engineering, Civil Engineering and Offshore Construction, both above and below the waterline. Our onshore and offshore teams work collectively to ensure that your project is always performed safely, on time and within budget. Finally with the acquisition of its own Explosive License in 2021, HSSL now has the equipment, personnel and licenses ‘inhouse’ to provide the full range of UXO services. From identification to ALARP certification. For more information use the email info@hughes-subsea.com.
13JUNE Southampton 152023 United Kingdom TO
Seawork is open for business – all year Reserve now for 2023. Keep your full business profile and capabilities in front of your customers 365 days a year. Europe’s leading commercial marine and workboat exhibition Make the most of marketing & PR support from Seawork, Maritime Journal and our leading commercial marine magazines. Showcase your latest innovations in vessels, equipment and services to an international audience of over 30,000 all year. Seawork & Marine Civils exhibition encompasses 12,000m2 of halls featuring 600 exhibitors and over 70 vessels and floating plant.
Co-located with:
Also returning in 2023
Speed@Seawork Sea Trials & Conference
For more information visit: seawork.com contact: +44 1329 825 335 or email: info@seawork.com PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
Media partners:
#Seawork
MARITIMEJOURNAL COMMERCIAL MARINE BUSINESS
BOATINGBUSINESS THE UK LEISURE MARINE BUSINESS
9
Scuba or Surface Supply?
The importance of security of gas supply, communication and diver location
T
his is a decision that should be based on the appropriateness of the equipment not its convenience i.e. use it because it is the right equipment for the job in terms of diver safety — not because it will be easier or less expensive to use. Under the Inland/Inshore ACoP L104, SCUBA may be acceptable for use in simple tasks (such as inspection) in clear water where there is no risk of entanglement, or in ‘benign’ conditions. It still requires the use of a full-face mask with communications, an independent reserve air supply and a life line attached. Its use also requires the management of an emergency to be considered as well as being justified with a full risk assessment.
Scuba is generally disapproved of in most commercial applications Industry exceptions are: • Media • Police • Military • Scientific and archaeological diving – 10
however, they will also use surface supply wherever possible It is absolutely not acceptable for construction or off shore activities or any activity where there is poor visibility and therefore a risk of entrapment.
Disadvantages of Scuba
• There is a finite supply of breathing gas carried by the diver; • If there is no line to surface and no voice communications, the diver will not be able to alert the surface in the event of an emergency; • If there is no line to the surface the surface team will not know the depth of a freeswimming diver or how to find them; • Only limited back up gas supplies can be carried should there be a problem with the primary supply; • If the diver is not tended via a lifeline there is a greater likelihood of buoyancy problems leading to serious incidents (e.g., exposure to Image courtesy of MMC Diving Services unintended depths); PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
“It is a simple matter to provide both surface and in-water back up air supplies should there be a problem with the primary supply…” • If there is no line to the surface the diver can easily become separated and lost; • SCUBA equipment tends to be less robust to harsh conditions and is more likely to become damaged.
Advantages of Surface Supply
• There is an unlimited source of breathing gas available to the diver via their umbilical. (Theoretically unlimited — depends on available supply); • There is always a line attached to the diver, so it is always possible either to pull them to the surface or at least to find them in the event of an emergency; • It is easy to remain in voice communication
PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
with the diver via hard-wired comms; • The surface team can ascertain the depth of the diver accurately at any time; • It is a simple matter to provide both surface and in-water back up air supplies should there be a problem with the primary supply; • The umbilical helps prevent problems with buoyancy (e.g., inadvertently sinking to unplanned depths); • The diver cannot become separated and lost. Of course, the above points would not hold true if the diver’s umbilical were to be severed — this is a highly unusual occurrence and the surface team should seek to ensure that the diving umbilical is protected from damage at all times.
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Seawork 2022 ADC’s successful presence at an upbeat event Having missed the last two years of Seawork due to COVID, this year’s 23rd Seawork, over three days in June, was a much anticipated industry event. Held in Southampton, this is one of Europe’s largest on-water commercial marine exhibitions offering unique undercover exhibition space, open air demonstrations and floating displays. For ADC, Seawork is an opportunity to meet with members and industry professionals. This year the
member companies stand sharing with us were Edwards Diving Services, O’Three, Malakoff and The Underwriting Exchange. The ADC stand, located in the Dive work Pavillion near the Dive tank, was very busy across all three days. The Dive Tank was supplied by JFD Subsea. The Dive Team running the Dive Tank across the three days, MMC Diving Services, did an excellent job with drawing in the crowds and keeping demonstrations and activities going throughout
those three days. It was great to hear that the Inland/Inshore sector has picked up significantly and this was very obvious from the amount of interested clients visiting the stand and the overall positive atmosphere. ADC is already planning to attend Seawork in 2023. Members interested in stand sharing should contact the ADC Secretary at the earliest if they wish to be on the ADC stand at Seawork 2023 on the 13th to 15th June 2023
MARINE & CIVIL ENGINEERING CONTRACTORS
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PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
ADC Members ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
Environment Agency JFD Ltd & National Hyperbaric Centre Submarine Manufacturing & Products Ltd The Superintendent of Diving TWI Technology Centre North East DDRC Healthcare Arch Henderson LLP University of Plymouth Interdive Services Ltd Canal & River Trust Consortium Underwater Eng Ltd Herbosch-Kiere UK Ltd Professional Diving Academy Tritex NDT Ltd RNLI QinetiQ Health & Safety Authority RWE Renewables UK Ltd C-Tecnics Ltd Hytech-Pommec The Underwriting Exchange United Utilities Prodive Consultancy Ltd Charles Cleghorn Ltd Commercial Rib Charter O’Three Ltd Northern Rib Hire KB Associates Europe Ltd Unique Seaflex Ltd (UK) Fairlocks Pool Products Diving Equipment Services Ltd JW Automarine Namaka Subsea iSubC Diving Equipment Ltd Triton Grey Ltd Commercial Diver Training Ltd Bauer Kompressoren UK Ltd RPS Group Ltd BAE Systems Surface Ships Ltd Dive Safe Services Ltd Dive Systems Technical Services Ltd BIM - Bord Iascaigh Mhara SUBMERTEC Ltd
CORRESPONDING MEMBERS
Deep-Marine Ltd Gulf Marine Contracting FZE Synergy Sub Sea Engineering LLC Barracuda Diving & Marine Service SUBSERVICES SL Tidal Ports & Marine Construction Contracting LLC SMARTDIVES LLC PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
Deep Ocean Marine Services Techno Marine Diving Services LLC (TMDS) UWPS - UnderWater Professional Services Dive Marine Services (Gibraltar) Ltd Inter Dive Marine Services LLC Novel Marine Services LLC Masirah International Leander Consultancy Ltd Resolve Marine Inter Dive Diving Services International Diving Schools Assoc. Hull Diving Services Aquatec Marine Services Ltd Kirby Morgan Dive Systems Inc
FULL MEMBERS
Andark Ltd CDMS Sub-Surface Engineering Ltd Seawork Marine Services Ltd Falmouth Divers Limited Kaymac Marine & Civil Engineering Limited Northern Divers (Eng) Ltd Reach Engineering & Diving Services Ltd Salvesen (UK) Ltd Sealift Diving Limited Seawide Services Limited Sub Aqua Diving Services Ltd Isle of Man Government Harbour Marine Diving Contractors Ltd Grampian Diving Services Shearwater Marine Services Ltd DiveTech UK Hulltec Limited Irish Sea Contractors Ltd James Fisher Marine Services Limited Seatec UK Limited Bridgeway Consulting Limited Red7 Inshore Diving Ltd Caldive Limited Ocean Kinetics Limited Malakoff Ltd Quest Underwater Services Ltd Leask Marine Ltd Seatech Commercial Diving Services Ltd North West Marine Ltd KBS Maritime Ltd ABCO Divers Ltd Edwards Diving Services Ltd SULA Diving Ltd Underwater Diving Services Ltd
Babcock Marine Teignmouth Maritime Services Ltd Xeiad Ltd Serco Ltd Commercial and Specialised Diving Ltd Durrant Diving & Engineering Services Ltd Sealane Inshore Ltd Norfolk Marine & General Ltd Norfolk Marine Ltd Associated Diving Services Ltd Valkyrie Diving Services Lochs Diving Services Ltd Aberdeen Marine Ltd Gareloch Support Services (Plant) Ltd Briggs Marine Contractors Ltd Millennium Marine Contractors Ltd Specialised Diving Services MMC Diving Services DiveCo Marine Ltd RS Divers Ltd Dive and Marine Contractors Limited DCN Diving UK DSMC Divers UK (International) Ltd Constructex Ltd Geomarine Jersey Limited Marine & Civil Solutions Ltd Aegean Diving Services Ltd Underwater Construction Corporation UK Ltd Clyde Commercial Diving Ltd The SMS Group Ltd RockSalt Subsea Ltd Hughes Subsea Services Ltd Inspire Structures Ltd MSDS Marine Ltd Apex Diving & Marine Subsea Marine Ltd Commercial Diving and Maritime Ltd Coastal Diving & Marine Services Ltd Quay Diving Services Kew Diving UK Diveworks Commercial Ltd Sellafield Ltd Port of London Authority Salvage & Marine Operations IPT Wessex Archaeology 13
Birmingham, November 2021
ADC AGM 2021
The AGM is held annually for Members, towards the latter part of the year. It’s an annual event where the Inland/Inshore Industry representatives and members take the opportunity to catch up with their peers, network, and share ideas and best practice.
A
s the previous year’s event had been cancelled due to COVID, members were keen to meet and use the opportunity to understand each other’s challenges faced during this period as well as to celebrate and discuss achievements over the past two years. The AGM was attended by Full, Associate and Corresponding members as well as Judith Tetlow, the HSE Chief Inspector of Diving. It also provides a good opportunity for the ADC to update its members on how it is performing, with what has been progressed and is being worked on for the benefit of members and the industry as a whole. There was an interesting mix of speakers over the two-day event, covering Health & Safety,
Navy Diving and the use of Sonar in Diving. This included our Guest Speaker Chris Lemons. Chris is a deep-sea Saturation Diver who was involved in a catastrophic accident which left him stranded 300 feet below the surface of the treacherous North Sea, with no light, heat or breathing gas for 35 minutes. His miraculous survival is the subject of the hit Neflix/BBC documentary Last Breath. It was an excellent and very well delivered presentation of a truly amazing story of human survival. Chris presented it in a most self-effacing and modest manner putting a strong emphasis on the determination and team spirit of his fellow divers who enabled his remarkable rescue. The
feedback from the audience was brilliant. The AGM is also a great opportunity for the industry to nominate and issue awards to recognise achievements and improvements. We were pleased to present awards as below.
Client representative Award to Scottish Water for ‘Contributing towards Diver Safety’. 14
PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
Peter Farrer, Chief Operating Officer at Scottish Water said: “We’re delighted to have been recognised for the improvements we have made to our contractor selection and management processes in relation to diving operations, which is obviously a very important issue for us because the health and safety of our staff, and those of all of our contractors including diving contractors, is a top priority.” Outstanding Contribution to Industry Sector, Supervisor Award to Graham Weston for ‘Outstanding Work Training New Divers’
After nine years in the Royal Navy as a submariner, Graham decided to leave his submarine and become a Commercial Diver. He trained at PDA before working back in Plymouth, this time cleaning the outside of submarines instead of the inside! He then started working for CDM where he was recruited to help with the dive school. He has been with CDT from the start and has helped train many divers over the years whilst keeping himself grounded by rotating back into the working environment inshore and offshore. The feedback from divers he
NEW MEMBERS
Please welcome the following recent new members to the Association.
Subsea Marine Ltd (Ireland)
Bauer Kompressoren UK Ltd (UK)
Commercial Diving and Maritime Ltd (UK)
Commercial Diver Training Ltd (UK)
Full Member
Full Member
Kew Diving Services Ltd (UK)
Associate Member
Associate Member
Full Member
Dive Safe Services Limited (UK)
Full Member
DiveSource Limited (UK)
Full Member
Dive Systems Technical Services Ltd (UK)
Quay Diving Services Ltd (UK)
Associate Member
UK Diveworks Commercial Ltd (UK)
Associate Member
Coastal Diving & Marine Services Ltd (UK)
Associate Member
Full Member
RPS Group Ltd (Ireland) Associate Member
Members contact details new and old can be found on the ADC website: www.adc-uk.info/find-a-member/
DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES
• 15-16 November 2022: ADC AGM Birmingham • 22 March 2023: Northern Regional Meeting – HSE Science & Research Centre Buxton PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
has trained shows how well deserved this award is. Associate member award to SMP Ltd for Excellent Services to Industry. SMP were nominated by Commercial Rib Charter for excellent design support and service for the new dive spread on their new 20m catamaran. SMP have been part of the diving world for years and are very well known within the diving industry; therefore it was good to see them being recognised for the great work they do. 2022’s AGM will be held in Birmingham on the 15th and 16th of November.
Dive Marine Services (Gibraltar) Ltd (Gibraltar) Corresponding Member
Inter Dive Marine Services LLC (UAE)
Corresponding Member
Leander Consultancy Corresponding Member
Novel Marine Services LLC (UAE) Corresponding Member
Resolve Marine Services Corresponding Member
Techno Marine Diving Services LLC (UAE) Corresponding Member
UWPS: Upderwater Professional Services (Czech Republic) Corresponding Member
• 19 April 2023: Scottish Regional Meeting – JFD Aberdeen • 10 May 2023: Southern Regional Meeting – The Historical Diving Society - Gosport • 13-15 June 2023: Seawork 2023 Southampton • 14-15 November 2023: ADC AGM – Birmingham 15
Breathe safely
Clean air is a prerequisite for a safe and healthy work environment. By Bauer Kompressoren UK Limited
F
or BAUER, protecting the health of breathing air consumers has always been paramount. Since the successful launch of the B-DETECTION PLUS online gas measurement system and the B-VIRUS FREE protective filter system, market sectors such as the Emergency Services, Damage Control, Defence, Diving and Oil & Gas have all benefited from the knowledge and security that the compressed air they breathe is safe and within prescribed limits.
B-VIRUS FREE
B-VIRUS FREE is a highly effective breathing air protection against SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens. A solution that eliminates viruses at the air intake stage, the system is designed to protect firefighters, divers, pressure chamber operators and medical staff from these hazards whenever they require respiratory equipment for their daily operations. The B-VIRUS FREE protective filter system reliably neutralizes — depending on the charging rate of the compressor — up to 99.9% of corona viruses, bacteria and special moulds from the intake air.
B-Virus Free
Brilliantly simple and wholly effective, the chemical and ozone-free technology of the patent-pending B-VIRUS FREE System uses a special UV light source to destroy pathogens in the intake air flow before they can reach 16
the compressor. The highly effective 254-nm UV wavelength is absorbed by the pathogens’ DNA, where the photons destroy the bonds between the DNA strands of the viruses, bacteria and mould spores and prevent them from reproducing. Following a rigorous programme of testing, B-VIRUS FREE has achieved certification from the world-renowned Fraunhofer Institute.
B-DETECTION PLUS
The threat of carbon monoxide was the subject of a fascinating article by Gavin Anthony in the Spring 2020 edition of Professional Diver Magazine. In addition, the HSE report during the recent AGM at Birmingham, suggested that air quality testing, using standard methods, could be inaccurate. So, how protected are you from carbon monoxide when you are diving? The maximum interval between air quality tests according to N.A 4.2 of BS EN12021:2014 Even when your BAUER compressor is operated and maintained in line with
“The B-VIRUS FREE protective filter system reliably neutralizes — depending on the charging rate of the compressor — up to 99.9% of corona viruses, bacteria and special moulds from the intake air.” PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
“It ensures that breathing air cylinders are filled with ‘clean’ air only, and that diving personnel breathe nothing but air that complies with DIN EN 12021:2014 specifications.” professional standards, certain environmental conditions, which can occur at any time between scheduled air quality tests, may cause breathing air to become contaminated with hazardous substances including CO, CO2 and VOCs. BAUER tackled this problem by developing its own in-house gas measurement system — the B-DETECTION PLUS. A gas measurement system has the purpose of measuring and monitoring all predefined gases in continuous operation. It ensures that breathing air cylinders are filled with
PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
‘clean’ air only, and that diving personnel breathe nothing but air that complies with DIN EN 12021:2014 specifications. It is available in three versions: B-DETECTION PLUS i (integral to the compressor
unit), B-DETECTION PLUS s (a standalone unit for fulltime, online monitoring) and B-DETECTION PLUS m (a mobile version). Bauer Kompressoren UK Ltd Tel: 01942 724248
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COMPANY MEMBER FOCUS
Commercial Rib Charter
From local start-up to major contractor, Commercial Rib Charter tackles a range of projects
E
stablished in 2001, Commercial Rib Charter is the trading name of Solent Rib Charters Ltd. which was started in the Solent providing bareboat and corporate charters of 8-meter Open Ribs. After ten years of steady growth in the local area, culminating with a contract to provide over 60 Ribs for the 2012 London Olympic Games, we began seeing a demand for our Open Ribs on commercial projects, providing safety and guard boat services. Since 2012, growth in our commercial sector has been strong and we have built and purchased a range of vessels to explore wider opportunities. Today, we have ten Cabin Ribs, three catamarans and a ground-breaking ‘amphibious crew transfer vessel’ currently in build, supplemented by a healthy fleet of over 25 Open Ribs. The vast majority of our commercial clients are involved in offshore renewables and most of our work is centred around providing vessels for wind farm crew transfers, interconnector cable landings, offshore dive support, surveying, and safety boat services. We operate out of our office and workshop in Lymington, Hampshire, 18
PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
“With two IMCA approved dive support vessels in the fleet, Commercial Rib Charter can quickly provide the vessels you need for a number of applications…” with around 25 full time staff. In 2020 we purchased ‘CRC Sentinel’, our largest vessel ever; it is a shallow draft, high speed dive boat, complete with a 4-point anchor spread and an integrated three diver air/nitrox panel, HP compressor, 125m umbilicals and a slick video recording suite. Sentinel also boasts a survey pole and retains full seating for 12 pax for crew transfer duties making her a very versatile vessel. Sentinel’s first significant dive project began earlier this year, working for a Belgian company on a five-month contract to assist with four cable landings for the Hollandse Kust Noord offshore wind farm. Sentinel was chartered as a truly multi-purpose catamaran, carrying out nearshore and offshore surveying with a multibeam echo sounder, crew transfers to various installation vessels, and dive support during the cable landings themselves. Sentinel’s main role during these landings was to position the vessel close to the floating cable as it is winched ashore from the cable laying vessel. Divers are then sent down to cut floats and ensure the cable is sunk in a predetermined corridor, often with a tolerance of less than 10 meters. One of Sentinel’s most attractive features is its ability to move along the cable route using its four winches rather than the engines, providing a swift and safe method for divers to continue working whilst reducing the amount of surfacing and repositioning of the anchors. With two IMCA approved dive support vessels in the fleet, Commercial Rib Charter can quickly provide the vessels you need for a number of applications, including ship maintenance, dock PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
and quay repairs, cable burial, underwater cutting and monopile inspections. Contact us on 01590 607103 or email us at info@commercialribcharter.co.uk with your requirements. CRC SENTINEL – SPECIFICATION • Length 19m, Beam 6.7m, Draft 1.2m; • Machinery – 2x MAN D2862 V12s with RollsRoyce waterjets; • Generators – 2x Cummins Onan 13.5kVa 230V; • Equipment – 1x Bonfiglioli P7200 Deck Crane; • Speed – 22kts cruising, 29kts sprint; • Mooring – 4x Hercules Hydraulics winches, 4x 200kg HHP anchors, 4x 450m Dyneema; • Panel – IMCA DO23 3 diver air/nitrox spread; • Recording – AxSub Rackmount and AxView Blackbox with 3x Cameras and Lights; • Communications – C-Tecnics C-Phone 4R; • Power – 1x APC Smart-UPS; • Compressor – Integrated HP Coltri MCH11EM; • Umbilicals – 3x Fibron 125m; • Cylinders – 6x 200 Bar 50L (air), 8x 200 Bar 50L (nitrox) and 2x 200 Bar 50L stand-by. 19
Offshore technology for inshore challenges
Inshore diving from a new perspective with technologies developed in offshore work adding real benefits for inshore and inland contracts. Words: Paul Edwards, EDS
F
or decades, the best resourced commercial diving sector has been around offshore oil and gas, a now life limited sector. But there are many developments in equipment, methods and working practices from offshore that the inshore sector can usefully incorporate to make our work easier and better. In this article, we’ll look at a few that have already proved their worth in the onshore sector.
thirty years ago when these were an effective way for disposing of mines. Then, an ROV will have cost hundreds of thousands of pounds (probably more). Since then, the world’s Navies have spent a fortune researching and developing this technology (see below) so we don’t need to. Modern ROVs are a cost-effective tool for any diving company.
INSHORE DIVERS LEVELLING UP
Offshore has, in recent times, enjoyed eye watering budgets which have supported huge technology advances and, if it is to survive, the inshore sector must also take advantage of those developments. As readers will know, there is a growing quest for alternative energy supplies which means that, for inshore Diving Contractors, opportunities abound. Solar, Wind, Hydropower and Nuclear are areas in which the specialist skills of inshore divers can help create a cleaner/greener environment. But we’ll need to educate potential clients in those industries about what we can bring to their programmes.
OFFSHORE TECHNOLOGY UTILISED INSHORE
ROVs won’t ever replace human divers but they can form part of the diver’s toolkit. Often an ROV can make a site safer and get safety critical information faster and more easily than a diver. They should be considered more in our everyday work. Let’s look at few real world examples where the deployment of technology developed for offshore work can add value and safety to inshore and freshwater diving work.
WORKING SMARTER NOT HARDER
I recently saw this old ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) used as a garden ornament in a hotel; it reminded me of my time in the Navy more than 20
The first case was a Reservoir which required de-watering. It was a classic example of not knowing what was there before we deployed the ROV. We knew that none of the valves were working, so they were not able to draw the reservoir down, but nobody had any idea why the valves would not work and what, exactly, was there. If a diver had been drawn into a pipe, the consequences could be catastrophic; but an ROV ran less risk. PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
There were six platforms within the tower, with the only valve low enough and known to be working being blocked. An ROV was deployed within the tower and identified an additional flange that was open to the elements. The ROV was sucked into the pipework identifying a DPDZ (Differential Pressure Danger Zone) and had to remain there for 18 months. When, after much negotiation, a diver was deployed, they were able to avoid the DPDZ and repaired the other lower valves enabling the reservoir to be drained at a controlled rate. Knowing that there was a differential pressure at a certain level made it a lot safer because the risk could be managed and controlled accordingly. As the reservoir drained it revealed a body chained to a kitchen sink blocking the lowest scour valve. The woman whose body it was had been missing for 20 years and could now eventually be laid to rest, her husband was convicted of her murder but would not confess to where he had hidden her body.
USING ROVS INSHORE
Another challenging case was to isolate a dam from the wet side of a tunnel, 30m deep, 66m long and 5m wide. The original scheme was to carry out the work without divers because the perception is that diving is dangerous, but the ROV sonar detected a tighter space than the as built drawings had indicated so we carried out a tactile divers’ survey and amended our plans accordingly. A good case where the ROV complemented the diver. Initially the direction on this job was that it was far too dangerous to dive in the tunnel, but with proper planning it was possible to demonstrate that it could be made safe; ultimately, we changed the design of our isolating methods which proved very successful and the downstream valves were changed within a couple of days. If we had used the original design, it simply would not have worked so, again, this is a great example of having ROVs as a tool for the dive team.
OVERCOMING POOR VISIBILITY
The visibility on most inshore tasks is usually poor at best. Most, if not all of you will have fumbled about in murky water and I think it makes for better divers; if they can complete a task without having seen it, divers will be even better when they can see what they’re doing. With visibility being what it is we are carrying out trails on a Tritech diver mounted sonar to take the diver to the job. The diver has a monocle attached to the outside of the helmet the same way you would mount a CCTV camera and light; the sonar picture is what the diver sees. This cutting edge technology works very well in poor visibility. How robust and diver friendly it might be remains to be seen, but initial trials have proved successful.
The next level of multibeam sonar
As part of a demonstration, we carried out a trial whilst undertaking a night dive on an intake tower, it had to be carried out at night due to water supplies being so critical in the day with not enough storage to allow for uninterrupted supply to the end user. We had been looking into multibeam technology for a while, but COVID delayed its progress, there are several different manufacturers making this type of equipment but, on this trial, it was so successful we placed an order the next day.
“…the ROV sonar detected a tighter space than the as built drawings had indicated so we carried out a tactile divers’ survey and amended our plans accordingly…” PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
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This is what we saw from the small boat whilst circling the intake tower, the sonar, combined with a laser scanner, stitches the image together to give a 3D point cloud image. It really is like removing the plug from a bath. The alarming problem we identified was that we were about to dive on the intake tower to repair one of the flap valves right next to what appeared to be another larger intake of which nobody, neither we nor the customer carrying out the isolations, had been aware. Before we dived the ROV carried out a detailed survey to ensure there was no draw and it was safe to dive. That survey showed that the previously unknown intake was probably an old intake that had been filled in after construction of the tower, if it had been a live intake, that could have had very different ramifications. Nobody knew the state or condition, so checking it with the ROV was essential. Images using the technology are on a point cloud so users can look at whichever angle they prefer.
AN ROV WITH MULTIBEAM SHOWS THE SAFE WAY
The existing water company had to carry out some isolations on the wet side of a dam and there was an alleged diver’s hatch that we previously failed to find with an ROV. With poor visibility, nobody knew what the hatch looked like, so we needed a more accurate way of finding it. The multibeam sonar revealed exactly where it was. We had a GPS fix, dropped a shot line attached to a buoy and the divers did the rest.
On this image you can see the entrance to the tunnel which was not accessible, so the diver dropped through the hatch and carried out a tactile survey of what was required, all completed in a single 25-minute dive.
INSTALLING PIPES IN POOR VISIBILITY
This job was finished off earlier this year where we had to install a series of pipes (2 x 450 1 x 280 1 x 150mm) over 80m long supported on concrete blocks within a reservoir to a level of
“…the sonar, combined with a laser scanner, stitches the image together to give a 3D point cloud image. It really is like removing the plug from a bath…” 22
PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
+/- 50mm, the customer didn’t think we would achieve it as visibility was so poor. The divers dug the trench by hand with airlifts and hydraulic pumps, the levels along the 80-metre section were to a tolerance of less than 15mm. Like most jobs, preparation was everything but when you can use sonar imagery to produce a usable image it really can show the doubters what can be achieved.
MEASURING A TUNNEL
tunnel was not symmetrical, and the customer required detailed measurements which, taken conventionally, would have taken an age, we opted for the laser survey which was millimeter perfect and completed in the same timeframe.
FINISHING THE JOB AFTER A RESEVOIR IS FLOODED
This was another flythrough with a point cloud 3D laser. For this job we had already removed the pipe from within the tunnel and placed an isolation to the existing pipework whilst it was dry. When the reservoir was flooded, we were able to go back to remove the blanking flange. The information shown here was very useful for the diving supervisor and, particularly, the diver; it formed part of our risk assessment and method statement and gave them as much information as they needed.
THE BENEFITS OF EMBRACING TECHNOLOGY
This is a point cloud laser survey that has been meshed to create a fly though, it works on the same principal as the multibeam sonar. This was a culvert/tunnel that required measuring to understand what its maximum capacity would be under flood conditions. Because the
PROFESSIONAL DIVER • WINTER 2022
Technology is becoming more readily available and less expensive, and really does benefit everybody, from the diver doing the task, to the operational planning for getting the job done. It is also beneficial to give customers detailed information, something they would have most likely never seen before. But technology will never replace the human diver it simply makes their job easier.
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