Diving Science & Safety Program

Program Management

 Dive Control Board
    The Dive Control Board (DCB) has absolute authority over the CNMIís scientific dive safety program operation. The DCB shall additionally have the authority to approve and monitor diving projects, review and revise the diving safety manual, assure compliance with the manual, and recommend disciplinary actions for unsafe practices or failure to comply with the dive safety manual.
    The DCB shall consist of five members, of which at least three must be active divers. Active divers are defined as divers having completed the 12 required CNMI dives during the current calendar year. The DCB members shall include the dive safety officer (DSO) and one representative from each participating agency.
    The directors of participating CNMI government agencies shall choose initial members of the DCB. DCB members may leave the board by submitting, in writing, their reason for leaving. Any agency director may, at their discretion, may remove their agencyís representative DCB member. When an agencyís appointed DCB member departs, that agencyís director must appoint a new member within 14 days. The DCB shall:


a. meet a minimum of twice per year to discuss and review the dive program and manual and any other concerns regarding the DEQ and CRM diving program;
b. recommend the issue, reissue, and revocation of DEQ and CRM diving certifications;
c. establish and/or approve training programs through which the applicants for certification can satisfy the requirements of this manual;
d. establish criteria for equipment selection, maintenance, and use; and ensure that all equipment meets said criteria;
e. ensure that the air station used by DEQ and CRM divers meets OSHA standards;
f. sit as a board of investigation to inquire into the nature and cause of diving accidents or violations of the DEQ and CRM dive manual;
g. notify the area director of OSHA within 48 hours of the onset of an emergency situation. The office of the director for Region 9 is located in San Francisco. The telephone number is 1-415-975-4343. This report shall include the nature of the emergency and the extent of deviation from the prescribed regulations.

The Dive Safety Officer
The dive safety officer (DSO) serves as a member of the DCB. The DSO has operational authority for the diving program. This includes the conduct of training and certification, approval of dive plans, maintenance of dive records, and ensuring compliance with this manual. The DSO may delegate portions of this program to qualified delegates, but retains the responsibility for the safe conduct of the diving program. The Dive Safety Officer must be an active diver, and have a certification of rescue diver or higher from a national dive organization. The directors of DEQ and CRM shall choose the dive safety officer.

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This page was last updated 29 January 2009. jas
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