StatA

Coast Guard, DHS

§ 197.204

Subpart B—Commercial Diving
Operations
GENERAL

§ 197.200

Purpose of subpart.

This subpart prescribes rules for the
design, construction, and use of equipment, and inspection, operation, and
safety and health standards for commercial diving operations taking place
from vessels and facilities under Coast
Guard jurisdiction.

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.202

Applicability.

(a) This subpart applies to commercial diving operations taking place at
any deepwater port or the safety zone
thereof as defined in 33 CFR part 150;
from any artificial island, installation,
or other device on the Outer Continental Shelf and the waters adjacent
thereto as defined in 33 CFR part 147 or
otherwise related to activities on the
Outer Continental Shelf; and from all
vessels required to have a certificate of
inspection issued by the Coast Guard
including mobile offshore drilling units
regardless of their geographic location,
or from any vessel connected with a
deepwater port or within the deepwater
port safety zone, or from any vessel engaged in activities related to the Outer
Continental Shelf; except that this subpart does not apply to any diving operation—
(1) Performed solely for marine scientific research and development purposes by educational institutions;
(2) Performed solely for research and
development for the advancement of
diving equipment and technology; or
(3) Performed solely for search and
rescue or related public safety purposes
by or under the control of a governmental agency.
(b) Diving operations may deviate
from the requirements of this subpart
to the extent necessary to prevent or
minimize a situation which is likely to
cause death, injury, or major environmental damage. The circumstances
leading to the situation, the deviations
made, and the corrective action taken,
if appropriate, to reduce the possibility
of recurrence shall be recorded by the
diving supervisor in the logbook as required by § 197.482(c).

§ 197.203 Right of appeal.
Any person directly affected by a decision or action taken under this subchapter, by or on behalf of the Coast
Guard, may appeal therefrom in accordance with subpart 1.03 of this chapter.
[CGD 88–033, 54 FR 50382, Dec. 6, 1989]

§ 197.204 Definitions.
As used in this subpart:
ACFM means actual cubic feet per
minute.
ANSI Code1 means the B31.1 American National Standards Institute
‘‘Code for Pressure Piping, Power Piping.’’
ASME Code means the American Society of Mechanical Engineers ‘‘Boiler
and Pressure Vessel Code.’’
ASME PVHO–1 means the ANSI/
ASME standard ‘‘Safety Standard for
Pressure Vessels for Human Occupancy.’’
ATA means a measure of pressure expressed in terms of atmosphere absolute (includes barometric pressure).
Bell means a compartment either at
ambient pressure (open bell) or pressurized (closed bell) that allows the diver
to be transported to and from the underwater work site, allows the diver access to the surrounding environment,
and is capable of being used as a refuge
during diving operations.
Bottom time means the total elapsed
time measured in minutes from the
time the diver leaves the surface in descent to the time to the next whole
minute that the diver begins ascent.
Breathing gas/breathing mixture means
the mixed-gas, oxygen, or air as appropriate supplied to the diver for breathing.
Bursting pressure means the pressure
at which a pressure containment device
would fail structurally.
Commercial diver means a diver engaged in underwater work for hire excluding sport and recreational diving
and the instruction thereof.
Commercial diving operation means all
activities in support of a commercial
diver.
Cylinder means a pressure vessel for
the storage of gases under pressure.
Decompression chamber means a pressure vessel for human occupancy such

425

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00435

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.204

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–08 Edition)

as a surface decompression chamber,
closed bell, or deep diving system especially equipped to recompress, decompress, and treat divers.
Decompression sickness means a condition caused by the formation of gas or
gas bubbles in the blood or body tissue
as a result of pressure reduction.
Decompression table means a profile or
set of profiles of ascent rates and
breathing mixtures designed to reduce
the pressure on a diver safely to atmospheric pressure after the diver has been
exposed to a specific depth and bottom
time.
Depth means the maximum pressure
expressed in feet of seawater attained
by a diver and is used to express the
depth of a dive.
Dive location means that portion of a
vessel or facility from which a diving
operation is conducted.
Dive team means the divers and diver
support personnel involved in a diving
operation, including the diving supervisor.
Diver means a person working beneath
the
surface,
exposed
to
hyperbaric conditions, and using underwater breathing apparatus.
Diver-carried reserve breathing gas
means a supply of air or mixed-gas, as
appropriate, carried by the diver in addition to the primary or secondary
breathing gas supplied to the diver.
Diving installation means all of the
equipment used in support of a commercial diving operation.
Diving mode means a type of diving
requiring SCUBA, surface-supplied air,
or surface-supplied mixed-gas equipment, with related procedures and
techniques.
Diving stage means a suspended platform constructed to carry one or more
divers and used for putting divers into
the water and bringing them to the
surface when in-water decompression
or a heavy-weight diving outfit is used.
Diving supervisor means the person
having complete responsibility for the
safety of a commercial diving operation including the responsibility for
the safety and health of all diving personnel in accordance with this subpart.
Facility means a deepwater port, or
an artificial island, installation, or
other device on the Outer Continental

Shelf subject to Coast Guard jurisdiction.
Fsw means feet of seawater (or equivalent static pressure head).
Gas embolism means a condition
caused by expanding gases, which have
been taken into and retained in the
lungs while breathing under pressure,
being forced into the bloodstream or
other tissues during ascent or decompression.
Heavy-weight diving outfit means
diver-worn surface-supplied deep-sea
dress.
Hyperbaric conditions means pressure
conditions in excess of surface atmospheric pressure.
Injurious corrosion means an advanced
state of corrosion which may impair
the structural integrity or safe operation of the equipment.
Liveboating means the support of a
surfaced-supplied diver from a vessel
underway.
Maximum working pressure means the
maximum pressure to which a pressure
containment device can be exposed
under operating conditions (usually the
pressure setting of the pressure relief
device).
No-decompression limits means the air
depth and bottom time limits of appendix A.
Pressure vessel means a container capable of withstanding an internal maximum working pressure over 15 psig.
Psi(g) means pounds per square inch
(gage).
PVHO means pressure vessel for
human occupancy but does not include
pressure vessels for human occupancy
that may be subjected to external pressures in excess of 15 psig but can only
be subjected to maximum internal
pressures of 15 psig or less (i.e.,
submersibles, or one atmosphere observation bells).
Saturation diving means saturating a
diver’s tissues with the inert gas in the
breathing mixture to allow an extension of bottom time without additional
decompression.
SCUBA diving means a diving mode in
which the diver is supplied with a compressed breathing mixture from diver
carried equipment.
Standby diver means a diver at the
dive location available to assist a diver
in the water.

426

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00436

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

Coast Guard, DHS

§ 197.300

Surface-supplied air diving means a
diving mode in which the diver is supplied from the dive location or bell
with compressed breathing air including oxygen or oxygen enriched air if
supplied for treatment.
Surface-supplied
mixed-gas
diving
means a diving mode in which the diver
is supplied from the dive location or
bell with a compressed breathing mixture other than air.
Timekeeping device means a device for
measuring the time of a dive in minutes.
Treatment table means a depth, time,
and breathing gas profile designed to
treat a diver for decompression sickness.
Umbilical means the hose bundle between a dive location and a diver or
bell, or between a diver and a bell, that
supplies the diver or bell with a lifeline, breathing gas, communications,
power, and heat as appropriate to the
diving mode or conditions.
Vessel means any waterborne craft including mobile offshore drilling units
required to have a Certificate of Inspection issued by the Coast Guard or
any waterborne craft connected with a
deepwater port or within the deepwater
port safety zone, or any waterborne
craft engaged in activities related to
the Outer Continental Shelf.
Volume tank means a pressure vessel
connected to the outlet of a compressor
and used as an air reservoir.
Working pressure means the pressure
to which a pressure containment device
is exposed at any particular instant
during normal operating conditions.

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.205

Availability of standards.

(a) Several standards have been incorporated by reference in this subchapter. The incorporation by reference has been approved by the Director of the Federal Register under the
provisions of 1 CFR part 51.
(b) The standards are available from
the appropriate organizations whose
addresses are listed below:
(1) American National Standards Institute, 11 West 42nd Street, New York,
NY 10036.
(2) American Society of Mechanical
Engineers, United Engineering Center,

345 East 47th Street, New York, NY
10017.
[CGD 76–009, 43 FR 53683, Nov. 16, 1978, as
amended by CGD 96–041, 61 FR 50735, Sept. 27,
1996]

§ 197.206 Substitutes
for
required
equipment, materials, apparatus,
arrangements, procedures, or tests.
(a) The Coast Guard may accept substitutes for equipment, materials, apparatus, arrangements, procedures, or
tests required in this subpart if the
substitute provides an equivalent level
of safety.
(b) In any case where it is shown to
the satisfaction of the Commandant
that the use of any particular equipment, material, apparatus, arrangement, procedure, or test is unreasonable or impracticable, the Commandant may permit the use of alternate equipment, material, apparatus,
arrangement, procedure, or test to
such an extent and upon such condition
as will insure, to his satisfaction, a degree of safety consistent with the minimum standards set forth in this subpart.
§ 197.208 Designation
charge.

of

person-in-

(a) The owner or agent of a vessel or
facility without a designated master
shall designate, in writing, an individual to be the person-in-charge of the
vessel or facility.
(b) Where a master is designated, the
master is the person-in-charge.
§ 197.210 Designation of diving supervisor.
The name of the diving supervisor for
each commercial diving operation shall
be—
(a) Designated in writing; and
(b) Given to the person-in-charge
prior to the commencement of any
commercial diving operation.
EQUIPMENT

§ 197.300

Applicability.

(a) Each diving installation used on
each vessel or facility subject to this
subpart must meet the requirements of
this subpart.

427

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00437

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

§ 197.310

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–08 Edition)

(b) In addition to the requirements of
this subpart, equipment which is permanently installed on vessels and is
part of the diving installation must
meet Subchapters F and J of this chapter.
(c) All repairs and modifications to
pressure vessels used for commercial
diving operations must be made in accordance with the requirements of section VIII, division 1 or division 2 of the
ASME Code, ASME PVHO–1, part 54 of
this chapter, or 49 CFR 173.34, as applicable.
(d) All repairs and modifications to
pressure piping used for commercial
diving operations must be made in accordance with the requirements of the
ANSI Code or part 56 of this chapter, as
applicable.
§ 197.310

Air compressor system.

A compressor used to supply breathing air to a diver must have—
(a) A volume tank that is—
(1) Built and stamped in accordance
with section VIII, division 1 of the
ASME Code with—
(i) A check valve on the inlet side;
(ii) A pressure gage;
(iii) A relief valve; and
(iv) A drain valve; and
(2) Tested after every repair, modification, or alteration to the pressure
boundaries as required by § 197.462;
(b) Intakes that are located away
from areas containing exhaust fumes of
internal combustion engines or other
hazardous contaminants;
(c) An efficient filtration system; and
(d) Slow-opening shut-off valves when
the maximum allowable working pressure of the system exceeds 500 psig.

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.312

Breathing supply hoses.

(a) Each breathing supply hose
must—
(1) Have a maximum working pressure that is equal to or exceeds—
(i) The maximum working pressure of
the section of the breathing supply system in which used; and
(ii) The pressure equivalent of the
maximum depth of the dive relative to
the supply source plus 100 psig;
(2) Have a bursting pressure of four
times its maximum working pressure;
(3) Have connectors that—

(i) Are made of corrosion-resistant
material;
(ii) Are resistant to accidental disengagement; and
(iii) Have a maximum working pressure that is at least equal to the maximum working pressure of the hose to
which they are attached; and
(4) Resist kinking by—
(i) Being made of kink-resistant materials; or
(ii) Having exterior support.
(b) Each umbilical must—
(1) Meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section; and
(2) Be marked from the diver or open
bell end in 10-foot intervals to 100 feet
and in 50-foot intervals thereafter.
§ 197.314 First
equipment.

aid

and

treatment

(a) Each dive location must have—
(1) A medical kit approved by a physician that consists of—
(i) Basic first aid supplies; and
(ii) Any additional supplies necessary
to treat minor trauma and illnesses resulting from hyperbaric exposure;
(2) A copy of an American Red Cross
Standard First Aid handbook;
(3) A bag-type manual resuscitator
with transparent mask and tubing; and
(4) A capability to remove an injured
diver from the water.
(b) Each diving installation must
have a two-way communications system to obtain emergency assistance except when the vessel or facility ship-toshore, two-way communications system is readily available.
(c) Each dive location supporting
mixed-gas dives, dives deeper than 130
fsw, or dives outside the no-decompression limits must meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section
and have—
(1) A decompression chamber;
(2) Decompression and treatment tables;
(3) A supply of breathing gases sufficient to treat for decompression sickness;
(4) The medical kit required by paragraph (a)(1) of this section that is—
(i) Capable of being carried into the
decompression chamber; and
(ii) Suitable for use under hyperbaric
conditions; and

428

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00438

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

Coast Guard, DHS

§ 197.328

(5) A capability to assist an injured
diver into the decompression chamber.
§ 197.318 Gages and timekeeping devices.
(a) A gage indicating diver depth
must be at each dive location for surface-supplied dives.
(b) A timekeeping device must be at
each dive location.
§ 197.320

Diving ladder and stage.

(a) Each diving ladder must—
(1) Be capable of supporting the
weight of at least two divers;
(2) Extend 3 feet below the water surface;
(3) Be firmly in place;
(4) Be available at the dive location
for a diver to enter or exit the water
unless a diving stage or bell is provided; and
(5) Be—(i) Made of corrosion-resistant material; or
(ii) Protected against and maintained
free from injurious corrosion.
(b) Each diving stage must—
(1) Be capable of supporting the
weight of at least two divers;
(2) Have an open-grating platform;
(3) Be available for a diver to enter or
exit the water from the dive location
and for in-water decompression if the
diver is—
(i) Wearing a heavy-weight diving
outfit; or
(ii) Diving outside the no-decompression limits, except when a bell is provided; and
(4) Be—(i) Made of corrosion-resistant material; or
(ii) Protected against and maintained
free from injurious corrosion.

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.322 Surface-supplied helmets and
masks.
(a) Each surface-supplied helmet or
mask must have—
(1) A nonreturn valve at the attachment point between helmet or mask
and umbilical that closes readily and
positively;
(2) An exhaust valve; and
(3) A two-way voice communication
system between the diver and the dive
location or bell.
(b) Each surface-supplied air helmet
or mask must—

(1) Ventilate at least 4.5 ACFM at
any depth at which it is operated; or
(2) Be able to maintain the diver’s inspired carbon dioxide partial pressure
below 0.02 ATA when the diver is producing carbon dioxide at the rate of 1.6
standard liters per minute.
§ 197.324

Diver’s safety harness.

Each safety harness used in surfacesupplied diving must have—
(a) A positive buckling device; and
(b) An attachment point for the umbilical life line that—
(1) Distributes the pulling force of
the umbilical over the diver’s body;
and
(2) Prevents strain on the mask or
helmet.
§ 197.326

Oxygen safety.

(a) Equipment used with oxygen or
oxygen mixtures greater than 40 percent by volume must be designed for
such use.
(b) Oxygen systems with pressures
greater than 125 psig must have slowopening shut-off valves except pressure
boundary shut-off valves may be ball
valves.
§ 197.328

PVHO—General.

(a) Each PVHO, contracted for or
purchased after February 1, 1979, must
be built and stamped in accordance
with ASME PVHO–1.
(b) Each PVHO, contracted for or
constructed before February 1, 1979,
and not Coast Guard approved, must be
submitted to the Coast Guard for approval prior to February 1, 1984.
(c) To be approved under paragraph
(b), a PVHO must be—
(1) Constructed in accordance with
part 54 of this chapter; or—
(2) Be built in accordance with section VIII, division 1 or division 2 of the
ASME Code; and—
(i) Have the plans approved in accordance with § 54.01–18 of this chapter;
(ii) Pass the radiographic and other
survey tests of welded joints required
by section VIII, division 1 or division 2,
as appropriate, of the ASME Code; and
(iii) Pass—(A) The hydrostatic test
described in § 54.10–10 of this chapter; or

429

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00439

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.330

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–08 Edition)

(B) The pneumatic test described in
§ 54.10–15 of this chapter and such additional tests as the Officer-in-Charge,
Marine Inspection (OCMI) may require.
(d) Each PVHO must—
(1) Have a shut-off valve located
within 1 foot of the pressure boundary
on all piping penetrating the pressure
boundary;
(2) Have a check valve located within
1 foot of the pressure boundary on all
piping exclusively carrying fluids into
the PVHO;
(3) Have the pressure relief device required by ASME PVHO–1;
(4) Have a built-in breathing system
with at least one mask per occupant
stored inside each separately pressurized compartment;
(5) Have a two-way voice communications system allowing communications
between an occupant in one pressurized
compartment of the PVHO and—
(i) The diving supervisor at the dive
location;
(ii) Any divers being supported from
the same PVHO; and
(iii) Occupants of other separately
pressurized compartments of the same
PVHO;
(6) If designed to mechanically couple
to another PVHO, have a two-way communications system allowing communications between occupants of each
PVHO when mechanically coupled;
(7) Have a pressure gage in the interior of each compartment that is—
(i) Designed for human occupancy;
and
(ii) Capable of having the compartment pressure controlled from inside
the PVHO;
(8) Have viewports that allow observation of occupants from the outside;
(9) Have viewports that meet the requirements of ASME PVHO–1 except
those PVHO’s approved under paragraph (b) of this section which have
nonacrylic viewports;
(10) Have means of illumination sufficient to allow an occupant to—
(i) Read gages; and
(ii) Operate the installed systems
within each compartment;
(11) Be designed and equipped to minimize sources of combustible materials
and ignition;
(12) Have a protective device on the
inlet side of PVHO exhaust lines;

(13) Have a means of extinguishing a
fire in the interior;
(14) Have a means of maintaining the
oxygen content of the interior atmosphere below 25 percent surface equivalent by volume when pressurized with
air as the breathing mixture;
(15) Have a means of maintaining the
interior atmosphere below 2 percent
surface equivalent carbon dioxide by
volume;
(16) Have a means of overriding and
controlling from the exterior all interior breathing and pressure supply controls;
(17) Have a speech unscrambler when
used with mixed-gas;
(18) Have interior electrical systems
that are designed for the environment
in which they will operate to minimize
the risk of fire, electrical shock to personnel, and galvanic action of the
PVHO; and
(19) Be tested after every repair,
modification, or alteration to the pressure boundaries as required by § 197.462.
§ 197.330 PVHO—Closed bells.
(a) Except as provided in paragraph
(b) of this section, each closed bell
must meet the requirements of § 197.328
and—
(1) Have underwater breathing apparatus for each occupant stored inside
each separately pressurized compartment;
(2) Have an umbilical;
(3) Have lifting equipment attached
to the closed bell capable of returning
the occupied closed bell when fully
flooded to the dive location;
(4) Be capable of recompressing on
the surface to the maximum design
diving depth;
(5) Be constructed and equipped as required by § 197.332;
(6) Have an emergency locating device designed to assist personnel on the
surface in acquiring and maintaining
contact with the submerged PVHO if
the umbilical to the surface is severed;
(7) Have a capability to remove an injured diver from the water; and
(8) Have a life support capability for
the intact closed bell and its occupants
for—
(i) Twelve hours after an accident
severing the umbilical to the surface
when the umbilical to the surface is

430

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00440

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

Coast Guard, DHS

§ 197.338

the only installed means of retrieving
the closed bell; or
(ii) A period of time, at least equal to
1 hour plus twice the time required to
retrieve the bell from its designed operating depth and attach an auxiliary
lifesupport system, after an accident
severing the umbilical to the surface
when the umbilical is one of the two
independent installed means of retrieving the closed bell, each meeting the
requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this
section.
(b) A closed bell that does not meet
the requirements of paragraphs (a)(3),
(a)(4), and (a)(5) of this section, must be
capable of attachment to another
PVHO that—
(1) Allows the transfer of personnel
and diver’s equipment under pressure
from the closed bell to the PVHO;
(2) Meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this section;
(3) Is capable of attachment to a decompression chamber meeting the requirements of paragraphs (a)(4) and
(a)(5) of this section; and
(4) Allows the transfer of personnel
and diver’s equipment under pressure
from the PVHO to the decompression
chamber.

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.332 PVHO—Decompression
chambers.
Each decompression chamber must—
(a) Meet the requirements of § 197.328;
(b) Have internal dimensions sufficient to accommodate a diver lying in
a horizontal position and another person tending the diver;
(c) Have a capability for ingress and
egress of personnel and equipment
while the occupants are under pressure;
(d) Have a means of operating all installed man-way locking devices, except disabled shipping dogs, from both
sides of a closed hatch;
(e) Have interior illumination sufficient to allow visual observation, diagnosis, and medical treatment of an occupant.
(f) Have one bunk for each two occupants;
(g) Have a capability that allows
bunks to be seen over their entire
lengths from the exterior;
(h) Have a minimum pressure capability of—

(1) 6 ATA, when used for diving to 300
fsw; or
(2) The maximum depth of the dive,
when used for diving operations deeper
than 300 fsw, unless a closed bell meeting the requirements of § 197.330(a) (3),
(4), and (5) is used;
(i) Have a minimum pressurization
rate of 2 ATA per minute to 60 fsw and
at least 1 ATA per minute thereafter;
(j) Have a decompression rate of 1
ATA per minute to 33 fsw;
(k) Have an external pressure gage
for each pressurized compartment;
(l) Have a capability to supply
breathing mixtures at the maximum
rate required by each occupant doing
heavy work; and
(m) Have a sound-powered headset or
telephone as a backup to the communications system required by § 197.328(c)
(5) and (6), except when that communications system is a sound-powered
system.
§ 197.334 Open diving bells.
Each open diving bell must—
(a) Have an upper section that provides an envelope capable of maintaining a bubble of breathing mixture
available to a diver standing on the
lower section of the platform with his
body through the open bottom and his
head in the bubble;
(b) Have lifting equipment capable of
returning the occupied open bell to the
dive location;
(c) Have an umbilical; and
(d) Be—(1) Made of corrosion-resisting material; or
(2) Protected against and maintained
free from injurious corrosion.
§ 197.336 Pressure piping.
Piping systems that are not an integral part of the vessel or facility, carrying fluids under pressures exceeding
15 psig must—
(a) Meet the ANSI Code;
(b) Have the point of connection to
the integral piping system of the vessel
or facility clearly marked; and
(c) Be tested after every repair, modification, or alteration to the pressure
boundaries as set forth in § 197.462.
§ 197.338 Compressed gas cylinders.
Each compressed gas cylinder must—
(a) Be stored in a ventilated area;

431

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00441

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

§ 197.340

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–08 Edition)

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

(b) Be protected from excessive heat;
(c) Be prevented from falling;
(d) Be tested after any repair, modification, or alteration to the pressure
boundaries as set forth in § 197.462; and
(e) Meet the requirements of—
(1) Part 54 of this chapter; or
(2) 49 CFR 173.34 and 49 CFR part 178,
subpart C.
§ 197.340 Breathing gas supply.
(a) A primary breathing gas supply
for surface-supplied diving must be sufficient to support the following for the
duration of the planned dive:
(1) The diver.
(2) The standby diver.
(3) The decompression chamber, when
required
by
§ 197.432(e)(2)
or
by
§ 197.434(a) for the duration of the dive
and for one hour after completion of
the planned dive.
(4) A decompression chamber when
provided but not required by this subpart.
(5) A closed bell when provided or required by § 197.434(d).
(6) An open bell when provided or required by § 197.432(e)(4) or by § 197.434(c).
(b) A secondary breathing gas supply
for surface-supplied diving must be sufficient to support the following:
(1) The diver while returning to the
surface.
(2) The diver during decompression.
(3) The standby diver.
(4) The decompression chamber when
required
by
§ 197.432(e)(2)
or
by
§ 197.434(a) for the duration of the dive
and one hour after the completion of
the planned dive.
(5) The closed bell while returning
the diver to the surface.
(6) The open bell while returning the
diver to the surface.
(c) A diver-carried reserve breathing
gas supply for surface-supplied diving
must be sufficient to allow the diver
to—
(1) Reach the surface.
(2) Reach another source of breathing
gas; or
(3) Be reached by a standby diver
equipped with another source of
breathing gas for the diver.
(d) A primary breathing gas supply
for SCUBA diving must be sufficient to
support the diver for the duration of
the planned dive through his return to

the dive location or planned pick-up
point.
(e) A diver-carried reserve breathing
gas supply for SCUBA diving must be
sufficient to allow the diver to return
to the dive location or planned pick-up
point from the greatest depth of the
planned dive.
(f) Oxygen used for breathing mixtures must—
(1) Meet the requirements of Federal
Specification BB-0–925a; and
(2) Be type 1 (gaseous) grade A or B.
(g) Nitrogen used for breathing mixtures must—
(1) Meet the requirements of Federal
Specification BB-N–411c;
(2) Be type 1 (gaseous);
(3) Be class 1 (oil free); and
(4) Be grade A, B, or C.
(h) Helium used for breathing mixtures must be grades A, B, or C produced by the Federal Government, or
equivalent.
(i) Compressed air used for breathing
mixtures must—
(1) Be 20 to 22 percent oxygen by volume;
(2) Have no objectionable odor; and
(3) Have no more than—
(i) 1,000 parts per million of carbon
dioxide;
(ii) 20 parts per million carbon monoxide;
(iii) 5 milligrams per cubic meter of
solid and liquid particulates including
oil; and
(iv) 25 parts per million of hydrocarbons (includes methane and all
other hydrocarbons expressed as methane).
§ 197.342 Buoyancy-changing devices.
(a) A dry suit or other buoyancychanging device not directly connected
to the exhaust valve of the helmet or
mask must have an independent exhaust valve.
(b) When used for SCUBA diving, a
buoyancy-changing device must have
an inflation source separate from the
breathing gas supply.
§ 197.344 Inflatable floatation devices.
An inflatable floatation device for
SCUBA diving must—
(a) Be capable of maintaining the
diver at the surface in a faceup position;

432

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00442

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

Coast Guard, DHS

§ 197.402

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

(b) Have a manually activated inflation device;
(c) Have an oral inflation device;
(d) Have an over-pressure relief device; and
(e) Have a manually operated exhaust
valve.
§ 197.346 Diver’s equipment.
(a) Each diver using SCUBA must
have—
(1) Self-contained underwater breathing equipment including—
(i) A primary breathing gas supply
with a cylinder pressure gage readable
by the diver during the dive; and
(ii) A diver-carried reserve breathing
gas supply provided by—
(A) A manual reserve (J valve); or
(B) An independent reserve cylinder
connected and ready for use;
(2) A face mask;
(3) An inflatable floatation device;
(4) A weight belt capable of quick release;
(5) A knife;
(6) Swim fins or shoes;
(7) A diving wristwatch; and
(8) A depth gage.
(b) Each diver using a heavyweight
diving outfit must—
(1) Have a helmet group consisting of
helmet, breastplate, and associated
valves and connections;
(2) Have a diving dress group consisting of a basic dress that encloses
the body (except for head and hands) in
a tough, waterproof cover, gloves,
shoes, weight assembly, and knife;
(3) Have a hose group consisting of
the breathing gas hose and fittings, the
control valve, the lifeline, communications cable, and a pneumofathometer;
and
(4) Be provided with a helmet cushion
and weighted shoes.
(c) Each surface-supplied dive operation using a heavyweight diving outfit
must have an extra breathing gas hose
with attaching tools available to the
standby diver.
(d) Each diver using a lightweight
diving outfit must have—
(1) A safety harness;
(2) A weight assembly capable of
quick release;
(3) A mask group consisting of a
lightweight mask and associated valves
and connections;

(4) A diving dress group consisting of
wet or dry diving dress, gloves, shoes
or fins, and knife; and
(5) A hose group consisting of the
breathing gas hose and fittings, the
control valve, the lifeline, communications cable, and a pneumofathometer
(if the breaking strength of the communications cable is at least equal to
that required for the lifeline, the communications cable can serve as the lifeline).
(e) Each surface-supplied air dive operation within the no-decompression
limits and to depths of 130 fsw or less
must have a primary breathing gas
supply at the dive location.
(f) Each surface-supplied dive operation outside the no-compression limits, deeper than 130 fsw, or using
mixed-gas as a breathing mixture must
have at the dive location—
(1) A primary breathing gas supply;
and
(2) A secondary breathing gas supply.
(g) Each diver diving outside the nodecompression limits, deeper than 130
fsw, or using mixed-gas must have a
diver-carried reserve breathing gas
supply except when using a heavyweight diving outfit or when diving in
a physically confining area.
OPERATIONS

§ 197.400

Applicability.

Diving operations may only be conducted from a vessel or facility subject
to the subpart if the regulations in this
subpart are met.
§ 197.402 Responsibilities of the person-in-charge.
(a) The person-in-charge shall—
(1) Be fully cognizant of the provisions of this subpart;
(2) Prior to permitting any commercial diving operation to commence,
have—
(i) The designation of the diving supervisor for each diving operation as
required by § 197.210;
(ii) A report on—
(A) The nature and planned times of
the planned diving operation; and
(B) The planned involvement of the
vessel or facility, its equipment, and
its personnel in the diving operation.

433

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00443

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

§ 197.404

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–08 Edition)

(b)
Prior
to
permitting
any
commerical diving operation involving
liveboating to commence, the personin-charge shall insure that—
(1) A means of rapid communications
with the diving supervisor while the
diver is entering, in, or leaving the
water is established; and
(2) A boat and crew for diver pickup
in the event of an emergency is provided.
(c) The person-in-charge shall insure
that a boat and crew for SCUBA diver
pickup is provided when SCUBA divers
are not line-tended from the dive location.
(d) The person-in-charge shall coordinate the activities on and of the vessel
or facility with the diving supervisor.
(e) The person-in-charge shall insure
that the vessel or facility equipment
and personnel are kept clear of the dive
location except after coordinating with
the diving supervisor.

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.404 Responsibilities of the diving
supervisor.
(a) The diving supervisor shall—
(1) Be fully cognizant of the provisions of this subpart;
(2) Be fully cognizant of the provisions of the operations manual required by § 197.420;
(3) Insure that diving operations conducted from a vessel or facility subject
to this subpart meet the regulations in
this subpart;
(4) Prior to the commencement of
any commercial diving operation, provide the report required by § 197.402 to
the person-in-charge;
(5) Coordinate with the person-incharge any changes that are made to
the report required by § 197.402; and
(6) Promptly notify the person-incharge of any diving related casualty,
accident, or injury.
(b) The diving supervisor is in charge
of the planning and execution of the
diving operation including the responsibility for the safety and health of the
dive team.
§ 197.410 Dive procedures.
(a) The diving supervisor shall insure
that—
(1) Before commencing diving operations, dive team members are briefed
on—

(i) The tasks to be undertaken;
(ii) Any unusual hazards or environmental conditions likely to affect the
safety of the diving operation; and
(iii) Any modifications to the operations manual or procedures including
safety procedures necessitated by the
specific diving operation;
(2) The breathing gas supply systems,
masks, helmets, thermal protection,
when provided, and bell lifting equipment, when a bell is provided or required, are inspected prior to each diving operation;
(3) Each diver is instructed to report
any physical problems or physiological
effects including aches, pains, current
illnesses, or symptoms of decompression sickness prior to each dive;
(4) A depth, bottom time profile, including
any
breathing
mixture
changes, is maintained at the dive location for each diver during the dive,
except that SCUBA divers shall maintain their own profiles;
(5) A two-way voice communication
system is used between—
(i) Each surface-supplied diver and a
dive team member at the dive location
or bell (when provided); and
(ii) The bell (when provided) and the
dive location;
(6) A two-way communication system
is available at the dive location to obtain emergency assistance;
(7) After the completion of each
dive—
(i) The physical condition of the
diver is checked by—
(A) Visual observation; and
(B) Questioning the diver about his
physical well-being;
(ii) The diver is instructed to report
any physical problems or adverse physiological effects including aches, pains,
current illnesses, or symptoms of decompression sickness or gas embolism;
(iii) The diver is advised of the location of an operational decompression
chamber; and
(iv) The diver is alerted to the potential hazards of flying after diving;
(8) For any dive outside the no-decompression limits, deeper than 130
fsw, or using mixed-gas as a breathing
mixture—
(i) A depth, time, decompression profile
including
breathing
mixture

434

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00444

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

Coast Guard, DHS

§ 197.430

changes is maintained for each diver at
the dive location;
(ii) The diver is instructed to remain
awake and in the vicinity of the dive
location decompression chamber for at
least one hour after the completion of
a dive, decompression, or treatment;
and
(iii) A dive team member, other than
the diver, is trained and available to
operate the decompression chamber;
and
(9) When decompression sickness or
gas embolism is suspected or symptoms
are evident, a report is completed containing—
(i) The investigation for each incident including—
(A) The dive and decompression profiles;
(B) The composition, depth, and time
of breathing mixture changes;
(C) A description of the symptoms including depth and time of onset; and
(D) A description and results of the
treatment;
(ii) The evaluation for each incident
based on—
(A) The investigation;
(B) Consideration of the past performance of the decompression table
used; and
(C) Individual susceptibility; and
(iii) The corrective action taken, if
necessary, to reduce the probability of
recurrence.
(b) The diving supervisor shall ensure
that the working interval of a dive is
terminated when he so directs or
when—
(1) A diver requests termination;
(2) A diver fails to respond correctly
to communications or signals from a
dive team member;
(3) Communications are lost and can
not be quickly reestablished between—
(i) The diver and a dive team member
at the dive location; or
(ii) The person-in-charge and the diving supervisor during liveboating operations; or
(4) A diver begins to use his divercarried reserve breathing gas supply.

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.420

Operations manual.

(a) The diving supervisor shall—
(1) Provide an operations manual to
the person-in-charge prior to com-

mencement of any diving operation;
and
(2) Make an operations manual available at the dive location to all members of the dive team.
(b) The operations manual must be
modified in writing when adaptation is
required because of—
(1) The configuration or operation of
the vessel or facility; or
(2) The specific diving operation as
planned.
(c) The operations manual must provide for the safety and health of the
divers.
(d) The operations manual must contain the following:
(1) Safety procedures and checklists
for each diving mode used.
(2) Assignments and responsibilities
of each dive team member for each diving mode used.
(3) Equipment procedures and checklists for each diving mode used.
(4) Emergency procedures for—
(i) Fire;
(ii) Equipment failure;
(iii) Adverse environmental conditions including, but not limited to,
weather and sea state;
(iv) Medical illness; and
(v) Treatment of injury.
(5) Procedures dealing with the use
of—
(i) Hand-held power tools;
(ii) Welding and burning equipment;
and
(iii) Explosives.
SPECIFIC DIVING MODE PROCEDURES

§ 197.430 SCUBA diving.
The diving supervisor shall insure
that—
(a) SCUBA diving is not conducted—
(1) Outside the no-decompression limits;
(2) At depths greater than 130 fsw;
(3) Against currents greater than one
(1) knot unless line-tended; and
(4) If a diver cannot directly ascend
to the surface unless line-tended;
(b) The SCUBA diver has the equipment required by § 197.346(a);
(c) A standby diver is available while
a diver is in the water;
(d) A diver is line-tended from the
surface or accompanied by another
diver in the water in continuous visual
contact during the diving operation;

435

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00445

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

§ 197.432

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–08 Edition)

(e) When a diver is in a physically
confining space, another diver is stationed at the underwater point of entry
and is line-tending the diver; and
(f) A boat is available for diver pickup when the divers are not line-tended
from the dive location.

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.432 Surface-supplied air diving.
The diving supervisor shall insure
that—
(a) Surface-supplied air diving is conducted at depths less than 190 fsw, except that dives with bottom times of 30
minutes or less may be conducted to
depths of 220 fsw;
(b) Each diving operation has a primary breathing gas supply;
(c) Each diver is continuously tended
while in the water;
(d) When a diver is in a physically
confining space, another diver is stationed at the underwater point of entry
and is line-tending the diver;
(e) For dives deeper than 130 fsw or
outside the no-decompression limits—
(1) Each diving operation has a secondary breathing gas supply;
(2) A decompression chamber is ready
for use at the dive location;
(3) A diving stage is used except when
a bell is provided;
(4) A bell is used for dives with an inwater decompression time greater than
120 minutes, except when the diver is
using a heavy-weight diving outfit or is
diving in a physically confining space;
(5) A separate dive team member
tends each diver in the water;
(6) A standby diver is available while
a diver is in the water; and
(7) Each diver has a diver-carried reserve breathing gas supply except when
using a heavy-weight diving outfit or
when diving in a physically confining
space; and
(f) The surface-supplied air diver has
the equipment required by § 197.346 (b)
or (d).
§ 197.434 Surface-supplied
mixed-gas
diving.
The diving supervisor shall insure
that—
(a) When mixed-gas diving is conducted, a decompression chamber or a
closed bell meeting the requirements of
§ 197.332 is ready for use at the dive location;

(b) A diving stage is used except
when a bell is provided;
(c) A bell is used for dives deeper
than 220 fsw or when the dive involves
in-water decompression times greater
than 120 minutes, except when the
diver is using a heavy-weight diving
outfit or is diving in a physically confining space;
(d) A closed bell is used for dives at
depths greater than 300 fsw, except
when diving is conducted in a physically confining space;
(e) A separate dive team member
tends each diver in the water;
(f) A standby diver is available during all nonsaturation dives;
(g) When saturation diving is conducted—
(1) A standby diver is available when
the closed bell leaves the dive location
until the divers are in saturation; and
(2) A member of the dive team at the
dive location is a diver able to assist in
the recovery of the closed bell or its occupants, if required;
(h) When closed bell operations are
conducted, a diver is available in the
closed bell to assist a diver in the
water;
(i) When a diver is in a physically
confining space, another diver is stationed at the underwater point of entry
and is line-tending the diver;
(j) Each diving operation has a primary and secondary breathing gas supply meeting the requirements of
§ 197.340; and
(k) The surface-supplied mixed-gas
diver has the equipment required by
§ 197.346 (b) or (d).
§ 197.436

Liveboating.

(a) During liveboating operations,
the
person-in-charge
shall
insure
that—
(1) Diving is not conducted in seas
that impede station-keeping ability of
the vessel;
(2) Liveboating operations are not
conducted—
(i) From 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour
before sunrise; or
(ii) During periods of restricted visibility;
(3) The propellers of the vessel are
stopped before the diver enters or exits
the water; and

436

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00446

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

Coast Guard, DHS

§ 197.456

(4) A boat is ready to be launched
with crew in the event of an emergency.
(b) As used in paragraph (a)(2)(ii) of
this section, restricted visibility means
any condition in which vessel navigational visibility is restricted by fog,
mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms,
sandstorms or any other similar
causes.
(c) During liveboating operations, the
diving supervisor shall insure that—
(1) Diving is not conducted at depths
greater than 220 fsw;
(2) Diving is not conducted in seas
that impede diver mobility or work
function;
(3) A means is used to prevent the
diver’s hose from entangling in the propellers of the vessel;
(4) Each diver carries a reserve
breathing gas supply;
(5) A standby diver is available while
a diver is in the water;
(6) Diving is not conducted with inwater decompression times greater
than 120 minutes; and
(7) The person-in-charge is notified
before a diver enters or exits the water.

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

PERIODIC TESTS AND INSPECTIONS OF
DIVING EQUIPMENT

§ 197.450 Breathing gas tests.
The diving supervisor shall insure
that—
(a) The output of each air compressor
is tested and meets the requirements of
§ 197.340 for quality and quantity by
means of samples taken at the connection point to the distribution system—
(1) Every 6 months; and
(2) After every repair or modification.
(b) Purchased supplies of breathing
mixtures supplied to a diver are
checked before being placed on line
for—
(1) Certification that the supply
meets the requirements of § 197.340; and
(2) Noxious or offensive odor and oxygen percentage;
(c) Each breathing supply system is
checked, prior to commencement of
diving operations, at the umbilical or
underwater breathing apparatus connection point for the diver, for noxious
or offensive odor and presence of oil
mist; and

(d) Each breathing supply system,
supplying mixed-gas to a diver, is
checked, prior to commencement of
diving operations, at the umbilical or
underwater breathing apparatus connection point for the diver, for percentage of oxygen.
§ 197.452 Oxygen cleaning.
The diving supervisor shall ensure
that equipment used with oxygen or
oxygen mixtures greater than 40 percent by volume is cleaned of flammable
materials—
(a) Before being placed into service;
and
(b) After any repair, alteration,
modification, or suspected contamination.
§ 197.454 First aid and treatment
equipment.
The diving supervisor shall ensure
that medical kits are checked monthly
to insure that all required supplies are
present.
§ 197.456 Breathing supply hoses.
(a) The diving supervisor shall insure
that—
(1) Each breathing supply hose is
pressure tested prior to being placed
into initial service and every 24 months
thereafter to 1.5 times its maximum
working pressure;
(2) Each breathing supply hose assembly, prior to being placed into initial service and after any repair, modification, or alteration, is tensile tested
by—
(i) Subjecting each hose-to-fitting
connection to a 200 pound axial load;
and
(ii) Passing a visual examination for
evidence of separation, slippage, or
other damage to the assembly;
(3) Each breathing supply hose is periodically checked for—
(i) Damage which is likely to affect
pressure integrity; and
(ii) Contamination which is likely to
affect the purity of the breathing mixture delivered to the diver; and
(4) The open ends of each breathing
supply hose are taped, capped, or
plugged when not in use.
(b) To meet the requirements of paragraph (a)(3) of this section, each
breathing supply hose must be—

437

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00447

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

§ 197.458

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–08 Edition)

(1) Carefully inspected before being
shipped to the dive location;
(2) Visually checked during daily operation; and
(3) Checked for noxious or offensive
odor before each diving operation.
§ 197.458 Gages and timekeeping devices.
The diving supervisor shall insure
that—
(a) Each depth gage and timekeeping
device is tested or calibrated against a
master reference gage or time-keeping
device every 6 months;
(b) A depth gage is tested when a discrepancy exists in a depth gage reading
greater than 2 percent of full scale between any two gages of similar range
and calibration;
(c) A timekeeping device is tested
when a discrepancy exists in a
timekeeping device reading greater
than one-quarter of a minute in a 4hour
period
between
any
two
timekeeping devices; and
(d) Each depth gage and timekeeping
device is inspected before diving operations are begun.

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.460 Diving equipment.
The diving supervisor shall insure
that the diving equipment designated
for use in a dive under § 197.346 is inspected before each dive.
§ 197.462 Pressure vessels and pressure piping.
(a) The diving supervisor shall ensure
that each pressure vessel, including
each volume tank, cylinder and PVHO,
and each pressure piping system is examined and tested as required by this
section and after any repair, modification or alteration to determine that
they are in satisfactory condition and
fit for the service intended.
(b) Pressure vessels and pressure piping shall be examined annually for mechanical damage or deterioration. Any
defect that may impair the safety of
the pressure vessel or piping shall be
repaired and pressure tested to the satisfaction of the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
(c) The following tests shall be conducted at least every three years:
(1) All piping permanently installed
on a PVHO shall be pressure tested.

(2) PVHOs subject to internal pressure shall be leak tested at the maximum allowable working pressure
using the breathing mixture normally
used in service.
(3) Equivalent nondestructive testing
may be conducted in lieu of pressure
testing.
Proposals
to
use
nondestructive testing in lieu of pressure
testing shall be submitted to the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.
(d) Unless otherwise noted, pressure
tests conducted in accordance with this
section shall be either hydrostatic
tests or pneumatic tests.
(1) When a hydrostatic test is conducted on a pressure vessel, the test
pressure shall be no less than 1.25 times
the maximum allowable working pressure.
(2) When a pneumatic test is conducted on a pressure vessel, the test
pressure shall be the maximum allowable working pressure stamped on the
nameplate.
(3) When a pneumatic test is conducted on piping, the test pressure
shall be no less than 90 percent of the
setting of the relief device.
(4) Pressure tests shall be conducted
only after suitable precautions are
taken to protect personnel and equipment.
(5) When pressure tests are conducted
on pressure vessels or pressure piping,
the test pressure shall be maintained
for a period of time sufficient to allow
examination of all joints, connections
and high stress areas.
[CGD 95–028, 62 FR 51220, Sept. 30, 1997]
RECORDS

§ 197.480

Logbooks.

(a) The person-in-charge of a vessel
or facility, that is required by 46 U.S.C.
11301 to have an official logbook, shall
maintain the logbook on form CG–706.
(b) The person-in-charge of a vessel
or facility not required by 46 U.S.C.
11301 to have an official logbook, shall
maintain, on board, a logbook for making the entries required by this subpart.
(c) The diving supervisor conducting
commercial diving operations from a

438

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00448

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

Coast Guard, DHS

§ 197.482

vessel or facility subject to this subpart shall maintain a logbook for making the entries required by this subpart.

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

[CGD 76–009, 43 FR 53683, Nov. 16, 1978, as
amended by CGD 95–028, 62 FR 51220, Sept. 30,
1997]

§ 197.482 Logbook entries.
(a) The person-in-charge shall insure
that the following information is recorded in the logbook for each commercial diving operation:
(1) Date, time, and location at the
start and completion of dive operations.
(2) Approximate underwater and surface conditions (weather, visibility,
temperatures, and currents).
(3) Name of the diving supervisor.
(4) General nature of work performed.
(b) The diving supervisor shall insure
that the following information is recorded in the logbook for each commercial diving operation:
(1) Date, time, and location at the
start and completion of each dive operation.
(2) Approximate underwater and surface conditions (weather, visibility,
temperatures, and currents).
(3) Names of dive team members including diving supervisor.
(4) General nature of work performed.
(5) Repetitive dive designation or
elapsed time since last hyperbaric exposure if less than 24 hours for each
diver.
(6) Diving modes used.
(7) Maximum depth and bottom time
for each diver.
(8) Name of person-in-charge.
(9) For each dive outside the no-decompression limits, deeper than 130
fsw, or using mixed-gas, the breathing
gases and decompression table designations used.
(10) When decompression sickness or
gas embolism is suspected or symptoms
are evident—
(i) The name of the diver; and
(ii) A description and results of treatment.
(11) For each fatality or any diving
related injury or illness that results in
incapacitation of more than 72 hours or
requires any dive team member to be
hospitalized for more than 24 hours—
(i) The date;

(ii) Time;
(iii) Circumstances; and
(iv) Extent of any injury or illness.
(c) The diving supervisor shall insure
that the following is recorded in the
logbook for each diving operation deviating from the requirements of this
subpart:
(1) A description of the circumstances leading to the situation.
(2) The deviations made.
(3) The corrective action taken, if appropriate, to reduce the possibility of
recurrence.
(d) The diving supervisor shall insure
that a record of the following is maintained:
(1) The date and results of each check
of the medical kits.
(2) The date and results of each test
of the air compressor.
(3) The date and results of each check
of breathing mixtures.
(4) The date and results of each check
of each breathing supply system.
(5) The date, equipment cleaned, general cleaning procedure, and names of
persons cleaning the diving equipment
for oxygen service.
(6) The date and results of each test
of the breathing supply hoses and system.
(7) The date and results of each inspection of the breathing gas supply
system.
(8) The date and results of each test
of depth gages and timekeeping devices.
(9) The date and results of each test
and inspection of each PVHO.
(10) The date and results of each inspection of the diving equipment.
(11) The date and results of each test
and inspection of pressure piping.
(12) The date and results of each test
and inspection of volume tanks and
cylinders.
(e) The diving supervisor shall insure
that a notation concerning the location of the information required under
paragraph (d) is made in the logbook.
NOTE: 46 U.S.C. 11301 requires that certain
entries be made in an official logbook in addition to the entries required by this section;
and 46 U.S.C. 11302 prescribes the manner of
making those entries.
[CGD 76–009, 43 FR 53683, Nov. 16, 1978, as
amended by USCG–1999–6216, 64 FR 53229, Oct.
1, 1999]

439

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00449

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194

§ 197.484
§ 197.484

46 CFR Ch. I (10–1–08 Edition)
Notice of casualty.

(a) In addition to the requirements of
subpart 4.05 of this chapter and 33 CFR
146.30, the person-in-charge shall notify
the Officer-in-Charge, Marine Inspection, as soon as possible after a diving
casualty occurs, if the casualty involves any of the following:
(1) Loss of life.
(2) Diving-related injury to any person causing incapacitation for more
than 72 hours.
(3) Diving-related injury to any person requiring hospitalization for more
than 24 hours.
(b) The notice required by this section must contain the following:
(1) Name and official number (if applicable) of the vessel or facility.
(2) Name of the owner or agent of the
vessel or facility.
(3) Name of the person-in-charge.
(4) Name of the diving supervisor.
(5) Description of the casualty including presumed cause.
(6) Nature and extent of the injury to
persons.
(c) The notice required by this section is not required if the written report required by § 197.486 is submitted
within 5 days of the casualty.
[CGD 76–009, 43 FR 53683, Nov. 16, 1978, as
amended by CGD 95–072, 60 FR 50469, Sept. 29,
1995]

ebenthall on PROD1PC60 with CFR

§ 197.486

Written report of casualty.

The person-in-charge of a vessel or
facility for which a notice of casualty
was made under § 197.484 shall submit a
report to the Officer-in-Charge, Marine
Inspection, as soon as possible after the
casualty occurs, as follows:
(a) On Form CG–2692, when the diving
installation is on a vessel.
(b) Using a written report, in narrative form, when the diving installation is on a facility. The written report
must contain the information required
by § 197.484.
(c) The report required by this section must be accompanied by a copy of
the report required by § 197.410(a)(9)
when decompression sickness is involved.
(d) The report required by this section must include information relating

to alcohol or drug involvement as required by § 4.05–12 of this chapter.
(The reporting requirement in paragraph (a)
was approved by OMB under control number
1625–0001)
[CGD 76–009, 43 FR 53683, Nov. 16, 1978, as
amended by CGD 82–023, 47 FR 35748, Aug. 16,
1982; 48 FR 43328, Sept. 23, 1983; CGD 84–099, 52
FR 47536, Dec. 14, 1987; USCG–2006–25697, 71
FR 55747, Sept. 25, 2006]

§ 197.488 Retention of records after
casualty.
(a) The owner, agent, or person-incharge of a vessel or facility for which
a report of casualty is made under
§ 197.484 shall retain all records onboard
that are maintained on the vessel or facility and those records required by
this subpart for 6 months after the report of a casualty is made or until advised by the Officer-in-Charge, Marine
Inspection, that records need not be retained onboard.
(b) The records required by paragraph
(a) of this section to be retained on
board include, but are not limited to,
the following:
(1) All logbooks required by § 197.480.
(2)
All
reports
required
by
§ 197.402(a)(2)(ii),
§ 197.404(a)(4),
§ 197.410(a)(9).
(c) The owner, agent, person-incharge, or diving supervisor shall, upon
request, make the records described in
this section available for examination
by any Coast Guard official authorized
to investigate the casualty.

Subpart C—Benzene
SOURCE: CGD 88–040, 56 FR 52135, Oct. 17,
1991, unless otherwise noted.

§ 197.501

Applicability.

(a) Except for vessels satisfying paragraph (b) of this section, this subpart
applies to all Coast Guard inspected
vessels, including tank ships and
barges, that are carrying benzene or
benzene containing liquids in bulk as
cargo.
(b) This subpart does not apply to
vessels that are carrying only liquid
cargoes containing less than 0.5% benzene by volume.

440

VerDate Aug<31>2005

08:09 Nov 12, 2008

Jkt 214194

PO 00000

Frm 00450

Fmt 8010

Sfmt 8010

Y:\SGML\214194.XXX

214194