CNLR 738/96 - Offshore Area Petroleum Diving Newfoundland and Labrador Regulations under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Newfoundland and Labrador Act

CONSOLIDATED NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REGULATION 738/96 Offshore Area Petroleum Diving Newfoundland and Labrador Regulations under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Newfoundland and Labrador Act (O.C. 96-177) Amended by: 15/97 2001 c42 s45 2025 c4 s256 CONSOLIDATED NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR REGULATION 738/96 Offshore Area Petroleum Diving Newfoundland and Labrador Regulations under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Newfoundland and Labrador Act (O.C. 96-177) CNLR 738/96 ; 2001 c42 s45 Under the authority of section 145 of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Newfoundland and Labrador Act and the Subordinate Legislation Revision and Consolidation Act , the Lieutenant-Governor in Council makes the following regulations. CNLR 738/96 ; 2001 c42 s45 REGULATIONS Analysis 1. Short title 2. Definitions 3. Application PART I PROPOSED DIVING PROGRAMS 4. Authorization 5. Approval by Chief Safety Officer PART II OPERATORS 6. Duties 7. Responsibilities re changes 8. Authorization PART III DIVING CONTRACTORS 9. Duties 10. Certification for exposure to pressure 11. Equipment to be used 12. Diving plant and equipment 13. Communications systems 14. Pressure vessels 15. Compression chambers 16. Surface compression chambers 17. Diving bells 18. Diving submersibles 19. Oxygen supply systems 20. Breathing mixture supply systems 21. Gas systems 22. Quantity and quality of breathing mixture 23. Evacuation, rescue and treatment facilities 24. Medical services 25. Craft in dynamically positioned mode PART IV DIVING SAFETY SPECIALISTS 26. Diving safety specialists PART V SUPERVISORS 27. Category I supervisor 28. Category I supervisor's certificate 29. Category II diving operation supervisor 30. Category II diving supervisor's certificate 31. Category III diving operation supervisor 32. Category III diving supervisor's certificate 33. Supervision of an ADS diving operation 34. ADS supervisor's certificate 35. Restrictions respecting supervisor's certificate and document 36. Invalidation of supervisor's certificate 37. Duties of supervisors 38. Duties of supervisor 39. Prohibitions on supervisor 40. Restrictions respecting dive sites 41. Restricted use of SCUBA 42. Category I diving operations restrictions 43. Category II diving operations restrictions 44. Category III diving operations restrictions 45. Diving supervisors restrictions 46. Additional duties 47. Diving plant and equipment 48. Requirements re supply systems 49. Breathing mixture 50. Diving operations logbooks 51. Supervisor's logbooks 52. Keeping of records PART VI DIVERS 53. Category I dives 54. Category I diving certificates 55. Category II dives 56. Category II diving certificates 57. Category III dives 58. Category III diving certificate 59. Restrictions respecting diving certificates and documents 60. Restrictions respecting medical certificates 61. Invalidation of diving certificates 62. Diver's duties 63. Diver's logbooks PART VII PILOTS 64. ADS dives 65. Pilot's certificate 66. Restrictions re pilot's certificates and documents 67. Restrictions respecting medical certificates 68. Invalidation of pilot's certificates 69. Pilot's logbooks PART VIII ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS 70. Persons who have first aid or medical training 71. Permanent certificates 72. Offences 73. Repeal Schedule A Schedule B Short title 1. These regulations may be cited as the Offshore Area Petroleum Diving Newfoundland and Labrador Regulations . 243/88 s1; 15/97 s1 ; 2001 c42 s45 Back to Top Definitions 2. In these regulations (a) "acceptable standard" means an applicable standard that is acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer; (b) "accident" means a fortuitous event that results in the death of or injury to a person involved in a diving operation; (c) "Act" means the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation and Offshore Renewable Energy Management Newfoundland and Labrador Act ; (d) "ADS" means an atmospheric diving system capable of withstanding external pressures greater than atmospheric pressure and in which the internal pressure remains at atmospheric pressure and includes a one-person submarine and the one-atmosphere compartment of a diving submersible; (e) "ADS dive" means a dive in which an ADS is used; (f) "ADS diving operation" means a diving operation in which an ADS dive is made; (g) "ADS supervisor" means a supervisor of a diving operation involving a pilot; (h) "ambient pressure" means the pressure at a given depth; (i) "appropriate breathing mixture" means, in relation to a diving operation, a breathing mixture that is suitable, in terms of composition, temperature and pressure, for the diving plant and equipment used in the diving operation, for the work to be undertaken and for the conditions under which and the depth at which the diving operation is to be conducted; (j) "attendant" means a person who has been trained in diving procedures and who is acting under the direction of a supervisor; (k) "bell bounce diving technique" means a diving procedure whereby a diving bell or diving submersible is used to transport divers who are under atmospheric pressure or pressures greater than atmospheric pressure to a work site and subsequently to transport the divers under pressures greater than atmospheric pressure from an underwater work site, but does not include saturation diving techniques; (l) [Rep. by 2025 c4 s256] (m) "bottom time" means the period commencing when a person begins pressurization or descent for a dive and terminating when the person commences decompression or ascent; (n) "breathing mixture" means a mixture of gases used for human respiration and includes pure oxygen and a therapeutic mixture; (o) "category I dive" means a dive to a depth of less than 50 metres using surface?oriented diving techniques and a breathing mixture of air, but no other breathing mixture except in cases of decompression, treatment or emergency, and includes a dive in which a diving bell or diving submersible is used for an observation dive, but does not include a lock-out dive; (p) "category I diving operation" means a diving operation in which a category I dive is made; (q) "category II dive" means a dive in which a diving bell or diving submersible is used for a lock?out dive to a depth of less than 50 metres using a breathing mixture of air, or to a depth of 50 metres or more using a breathing mixture of mixed gas other than air, but does not include a saturation dive; (r) "category II diving operation" means a diving operation in which a category II dive is made; (s) "category III dive" means a saturation dive and a dive other than an ADS dive, a category I dive or a category II dive; (t) "category III diving operation" means a diving operation in which a category III dive is made; (t.1) "certificate of fitness" means a certificate, in the form prescribed by the regulator; (t.2) "certifying authority" has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Offshore Certificate of Fitness Newfoundland and Labrador Regulations ; (u) "compression chamber" means a pressure vessel that is suitable for human occupancy at internal pressures greater than atmospheric pressure; (v) "contingency plan" means a contingency plan referred to in paragraph 4(4)(i); (w) "craft" means a vessel, vehicle, hovercraft, semi?submersible, submarine or diving submersible and includes a self?propelled, tethered, towed or bottom contact apparatus, but does not include an installation; (x) "decompression" means the gradual reduction of the pressures of the inert components of a breathing mixture in the body; (y) "decompression sickness" means a condition caused by the reduction or other changes of pressure on or in the body; (z) "decompression sickness type I" means a decompression sickness that is characterized by one or both of the following symptoms, namely, (i) pain that is located at or near the joints of the limbs but is not felt in other parts of the body, and (ii) cutaneous manifestations including a rash and cutaneous pruritis (intense itching); (aa) "decompression sickness type II" means a decompression sickness that is characterized by one or more of the following symptoms, namely, (i) neurological manifestations related to the central nervous system, (ii) interference with the respiratory or cardiovascular system, (iii) otologic disorders, and (iv) symptoms not referred to in the definition "decompression sickness type I"; (bb) "decompression table" means a table or set of tables that (i) shows a schedule of rates for safe descent and ascent and the appropriate breathing mixture to be used by a diver during a dive, and (ii) has been approved in accordance with section 5; (cc) "dive site" means the place on a craft or installation from which a diving operation is conducted and from which a diver or pilot involved in the diving operation enters the water; (dd) "dive time" means the period commencing when a person begins pressurization or descent for a dive and terminating when the person completes decompression or ascent; (ee) "diver" means a person who meets the requirements of section 53, 55 or 57 who is involved in a diving operation that is part of a diving program and who may be subject to pressures greater than atmospheric pressure; (ff) "diving bell" means a compression chamber that is intended to be submerged and that is designed to transport a person at atmospheric pressure or divers at pressures greater than atmospheric pressure from the surface to an underwater work site and back and includes the compression chamber of a diving submersible; (gg) "diving contractor" means a person who employs a diver for a diving operation or who holds a contract to supply diving services for a diving operation, but does not include a self?employed diver; (hh) "diving crew" means the persons who are designated by a diving contractor to be involved in a diving operation conducted by the diving contractor and who are under the supervision of a supervisor; (ii) "diving doctor" means a medical doctor who (i) is licensed and registered to practise in a province, (ii) has completed a diving medical course acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, and (iii) has been accepted in writing by the Chief Safety Officer to certify divers for the purposes of paragraph 53(b), but who has not been accepted by the Chief Safety Officer to provide medical assistance under pressures greater than atmospheric pressure; (jj) "diving operation" means any work or activity that is associated with a dive and that takes place during the total dive time and includes (i) any work or activity involving a diver or pilot, (ii) the activities of a person assisting a diver or pilot involved in the dive, and (iii) any use of an ADS in the dive; (kk) "diving plant and equipment" means the plant and equipment that are used in, or in connection with, a diving operation and includes the plant and equipment that are essential to a diver or pilot; (ll) "diving program" means any work or activity related to the exploration or drilling for or the production, conservation, processing or transportation of petroleum that involves a diving operation; (mm) "diving safety specialist" means a person who meets the criteria set out in subsection 26(1); (nn) "diving station" means the place from which a diving operation is controlled; (oo) "diving submersible" means a self?propelled submarine that has at least (i) one one-atmosphere compartment from which the diving submersible is piloted and from which a dive can be supervised, and (ii) one compression chamber from which a dive can be conducted; (pp) "diving supervisor" means a supervisor of a diving operation involving a diver; (qq) "dressed?in" means fully equipped to dive and ready to enter the water, with the diver's personal diving equipment tested and at hand, whether or not helmet, face plate or face mask is in place; (rr) "emergency" means an exceptional situation resulting from an accident or incident; (ss) "environmental conditions" means conditions that may affect a diving operation and includes (i) weather and sea conditions, (ii) speed of currents and tides, (iii) shipping activities, (iv) air and water temperatures, (v) icing conditions, and (vi) debris on the sea surface or seabed; (tt) "hyperbaric first aid technician" means a person who has successfully completed an advanced hyperbaric first aid course acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer; (uu) "incident" means a fortuitous event that compromises or is likely to compromise the safety of, or endangers or is likely to endanger the health, well?being or life of, a person involved in a diving operation; (vv) "installation" means a fixed offshore structure used in connection with the exploration or drilling for or the production, conservation, processing or transportation of petroleum; (ww) "lifeline" means a safety line attached to a diver that is suitable for recovering and lifting the diver and the diver's personal diving equipment from the water; (xx) "life?support system" means a system comprising the breathing mixture supply systems, decompression and recompression equipment, environmental control systems and equipment and supplies that may be required to provide safe accommodation for a person in the water, in a compression chamber, in a diving bell, in a diving submersible or in an ADS under all pressures and conditions that a person may be exposed to during a diving operation; (yy) "life?support technician" means a person who has successfully completed a life?support technician's course acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer and who has satisfied the Chief Safety Officer that the person has attained a level of competence in all aspects of all types of diving techniques, including (i) emergency procedures, (ii) hyperbaric first aid, and (iii) operation of life-support systems; (zz) "lock?out dive" means a dive from a diving bell or a diving submersible; (aaa) "maximum working load" means the total weight of a load likely to be handled under normal operating conditions in a diving operation, weighed out of water and includes the weight of the umbilical; (bbb) "maximum working pressure" means the maximum pressure to which a compression chamber can safely be exposed under normal operating conditions in a diving operation and, where a compression chamber is interconnected with one or more other compression chambers, means, in respect of each of those interconnected chambers, the maximum pressure to which the interconnected chamber with the lowest maximum working pressure can safely be exposed under normal operating conditions; (ccc) "medical lock" means a lock through which objects may be passed into or out of a compression chamber while a person inside the compression chamber remains under pressure; (ddd) "operator" means a person who has been authorized, under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act, to carry on a work or activity referred to in section 133 of the Act that is a diving program or that includes a diving program; (eee) "personal diving equipment" means the diving equipment carried by a diver on the diver's person during a dive and includes a diving suit, breathing apparatus, bale?out gas bottle and communications equipment; (fff) "pilot" means a person who controls the movement of an ADS from within the ADS and who performs from within the ADS other tasks necessary for the operation of the ADS; (ggg) "pressure vessel" means a closed container capable of withstanding internal or external pressures, or both, greater than one atmosphere; (hhh) "procedures manual" means the procedures manual referred to in paragraph 4(4)(a); (iii) "recognized body" means an organization, a classification society, a certifying authority, a group of persons or an individual that is acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer as having the expertise and experience to set standards for, or to inspect and certify, diving plant and equipment or parts of it; (jjj) "saturation dive" means a dive in which saturation diving techniques are used; (kkk) "saturation diving technique" means a diving procedure that essentially equilibrates the total pressure of inert gases in the body of a diver with the ambient pressure and allows extended periods of bottom time without additional decompression time required; (lll) "SCUBA" means a self?contained open?circuit underwater breathing apparatus; (mmm) "skip" means a stage, cage, basket or wet bell in which a diver may be lowered to or raised from an underwater work site; (nnn) "specialized diving doctor" means a diving doctor who (i) has completed an advanced diving medical course acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, and (ii) has been accepted in writing by the Chief Safety Officer to provide medical assistance under pressures greater than atmospheric pressure; (ooo) "stand?by diver" means a diver who is dressed?in and trained to operate at the same depths and in the same circumstances as the diver for whom the stand?by diver is standing by, who is at the same dive site as the other diver and who is available without delay to assist that other diver; (ppp) "supervisor" means a person appointed in writing by a diving contractor under subsection 9(3) as a diving supervisor or an ADS supervisor to supervise a diving operation; (qqq) "surface compression chamber" means a compression chamber that is not intended to be submerged; (rrr) "surface-oriented diving technique" means a diving procedure in which the use of a diving bell or diving submersible is not required; (sss) "total dive time" means the period commencing when a person begins to prepare for a dive and terminating when the person leaves the water, is not subject to pressures greater than atmospheric pressure and, in accordance with the relevant schedule in the appropriate decompression table, has normal inert gas pressure in the person's body; and (ttt) "umbilical" means a composite hose or cable or number of separate hoses or cables capable of supplying a breathing mixture, power, heat, communications and other services, as required, for a diving operation. 243/88 s2; 15/97 s2 ; 2001 c42 s45 ; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Application 3. These regulations apply to a diving operation carried on in connection with the exploration or drilling for or the production, conservation, processing or transportation of petroleum within the offshore area. 243/88 s3 PART I PROPOSED DIVING PROGRAMS Back to Top Authorization 4. (1) A person may apply for an authorization under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act in respect of a proposed diving program by forwarding to the Chief Safety Officer an application completed in triplicate in the form prescribed by the regulator. (2) An authorization under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act in respect of a proposed diving program is, in addition to other requirements of these regulations, subject to the requirements that the operator and the diving contractor of the diving program shall (a) maintain the level of performance of the diving crew, diving plant and equipment and a craft or installation used in the diving program at or above the level of performance indicated in the application referred to in subsection (1) and accepted by the Chief Safety Officer, for the authorization for the diving program, as the level of performance at which the diving program will be carried on; (b) where the operator or the diving contractor proposes to replace a supervisor involved in the diving program or appoint an additional supervisor, provide the Chief Safety Officer with evidence that a replacement or additional supervisor who will be involved in the diving program meets the criteria set out in section 27, 29, 31 or 33 to supervise the category of dive the supervisor will be supervising; and (c) where, in an area in which the diving program is being carried on, the environmental conditions during any period become more severe than the environmental conditions indicated in the application as being the most severe environmental conditions under which the diving program would be carried on, cease to carry on the diving program in that area during that period. (3) An authorization may not be given under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act in respect of a proposed diving program unless the applicant provides the Chief Safety Officer with evidence (a) that a diving safety specialist was consulted on all safety aspects of the diving program; (b) that a diving safety specialist will be available on a 24 hour a day basis to advise a person involved in the diving program, including a person making decisions affecting the safety of divers involved in the diving program, on all safety aspects of the diving program; (c) that a supervisor who will be involved in the diving program meets the criteria set out in section 27, 29, 31 or 33 to supervise the category of dive the supervisor will be supervising; (d) that the services of a specialized diving doctor, who is familiar with the diving procedures to be used in the diving operation that will form part of the diving program and who is within a travelling distance of the diving operation that is acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, will be available ton a 24 hour a day basis to a person involved in the diving program; (e) of certificates issued by the manufacturer or a recognized body in respect of the diving plant and equipment to be used in the diving program; and (f) where a diving program is to be conducted by a diving contractor who is not also the operator of the diving program, that the diving contractor is able to meet any liability for loss, damage, costs or expenses that may be incurred by the diving contractor as a result of the diving program. (4) An authorization may not be given under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act in respect of a proposed diving program unless approval has been granted by the Chief Safety Officer for the following: (a) the procedures manual that contains the procedures to be followed in the diving program, including the procedures referred to in Schedule A; (b) schematic drawings showing the general arrangement of a diving plant and equipment to be used in the diving program and their location on board the craft or installation on which or from which they will be used in the diving program; (c) where a craft is to be used in the diving program and is to be used in a manner referred to in subparagraph 12(2)(p)(iv), to be approved in accordance with section 5, the manner in which the craft is to be used; (d) a use in the diving program of a craft in the dynamically positioned mode and the dynamically positioned diving operational capacity graph in respect of the craft; (e) where a diving submersible is to be used in the diving program and is to be secured in a manner referred to in subparagraph 18(b)(iii), to be approved in accordance with section 5, the manner in which the diving submersible is to be secured; (f) experimental equipment or techniques to be used in the program; and (g) the contingency plan to be followed in the diving program including the emergency procedures referred to in Schedule B and the particulars of an additional evacuation, rescue and treatment facilities and devices to be provided for use in the diving program. (5) An authorization may not be issued under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act in respect of a proposed diving program unless a valid certificate of fitness is in force in respect of the diving plant and equipment to be used in the diving program. (6) An authorization referred to in subsection (5) is subject to the certificate of fitness remaining valid and in force. 15/97 s3 ; 2025 c4 s257 Back to Top Approval by Chief Safety Officer 5. (1) The Chief Safety Officer is authorized to grant, in accordance with subsection (2), an approval prescribed in these regulations and to make that approval subject to, in addition to the requirements prescribed in these regulations, those requirements, terms or conditions as he or she determines. (2) The Chief Safety Officer shall provide a person with evidence of an approval granted to the person under subsection (1). (3) The Chief Safety Officer is authorized to suspend or revoke an approval referred to in subsection (1) for failure to comply with or for contravention of the terms and conditions subject to which the approval was granted. (4) Where the Chief Safety Officer suspends or revokes an approval granted to a person under subsection (3), the Chief Safety Officer shall give the person an opportunity to show cause why the approval should not be suspended or revoked. 15/97 s3 PART II OPERATORS Back to Top Duties 6. (1) The operator of a diving program shall (a) arrange for the services of a diving safety specialist who will be available on a 24 hour a day basis to advise a person involved in the diving program, including a person making decisions affecting the safety of divers involved in the diving program, on all safety aspects of the diving program; (b) make available a suitable place from which a diving operation that is part of the diving program may be conducted; (c) to the extent practicable, give advance notice of an operation that is part of the diving program to the person in charge of a craft or installation in the vicinity of the operation; (d) make available adequate forecasts of environmental conditions to the supervisor on duty at a diving operation that is part of the diving program (i) before the diving operation begins, and (ii) during the diving operation, at intervals of not more than 24 hours and where the supervisor requests those forecasts; (e) inform the supervisor on duty at a diving operation that is part of the diving program of a matter within the operator's control that may affect the safety of the diving operation; (f) provide an adequate and effective system of communication between the supervisor on duty and a person, other than the divers and pilots, involved in, or in a position to assist in, a diving operation that is part of the diving program, including a winch or crane operator and a person on the bridge, on the rig floor or in the main control room of a craft or installation used in the diving operation; (g) while a diving operation that is part of the diving program is in progress, prominently display notices to that effect (i) in the case of a craft or installation used in the diving operation, on the bridge and in the engine room, and (ii) in the case of a diving plant and equipment used in the diving operation, on controls the operation of which might endanger a diver or pilot and on controls for impressed current cathodic protection; (h) display in the control room of a craft that will be operated in the dynamically positioned mode in a diving operation that is part of the diving program a copy of the craft's dynamically positioned diving operational capacity graph; (i) in the event that a member of a diving crew involved in the diving program meets with an accident, notify the Chief Safety Officer or a safety officer of the accident by the most rapid and practicable means and submit to the Chief Safety Officer or the safety officer a report of the accident in the form prescribed by the regulator; (j) in the event of a serious illness affecting a member of a diving crew involved in the diving program or an incident in connection with the diving program, (i) notify the Chief Safety Officer or a safety officer of the illness or incident as soon as possible, (ii) investigate the cause of the illness or incident, and (iii) submit to the Chief Safety Officer or the safety officer a report of that illness or incident, including, in the case of an incident, a report in the form prescribed by the regulator; (k) submit to the Chief Safety Officer a monthly report of all injuries of a diving crew involved in a diving operation that is part of the diving program; and (l) during the course of a diving operation that is part of the diving program, display a copy of the authorization under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act for that diving program and evidence of an approval granted in relation to that authorization under section 5 in a prominent place at the diving station for the diving operation. (2) The operator of a diving program shall not (a) conduct a diving operation that is part of the diving program in the vicinity of another activity that might pose a danger to a person involved in the diving operation; (b) use in a diving operation a craft that has insufficient power or stability for the safe conduct of the diving operation; and (c) prevent a diving contractor involved in the diving program from complying with the provisions of these regulations. 243/88 s6; 15/97 s4 ; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Responsibilities re changes 7. (1) The operator of a diving program shall (a) immediately repair, replace or alter or arrange for the repair, replacement or alteration of a diving plant and equipment used in the diving program that is defective or becomes inadequate or unsafe; (b) alter a procedure set out in the procedures manual for the diving program that becomes unsafe, inadequate or deficient; and (c) where necessary, initiate a new procedure in respect of the diving program. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where under that subsection the operator of a diving program (a) repairs, replaces or alters or arranges for the repair, replacement or alteration of a diving plant and equipment referred to in paragraph (1)(a), other than a routine repair, replacement or alteration carried out by a competent person; (b) alters a procedure set out in the procedures manual for the diving program; or (c) initiates a new procedure in respect of the diving program, the operator shall, before an activity referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c), obtain approval of the Chief Safety Officer. 243/88 s7; 15/97 s5 Back to Top Authorization 8. (1) An operator may apply for authorization under subsection 146(1) of the Act to use equipment, methods, measures or standards that do not comply with these regulations. (2) An application referred to in subsection (1) shall set out the manner in which the equipment, methods, measures or standards that are the subject of the application provide a level of safety and pollution prevention at least equivalent to that which would be provided by compliance with these regulations. 243/88 s8 PART III DIVING CONTRACTORS Back to Top Duties 9. (1) A diving contractor shall not conduct a diving operation unless the diving contractor has arranged for the services of a diving safety specialist, other than the diving safety specialist available under paragraph 4(3)(b), who will be available on a 24 hour a day basis to advise a person involved in the diving operation, including a person making decisions affecting the safety of divers involved in the diving operation and on all safety aspects of the diving operation. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), where the operator referred to in subsection 6(1) and the diving contractor referred to in subsection (1) are the same person, the diving safety specialist required under subsection (1) may be the same person as the diving safety specialist required under paragraph 4(3)(b). (3) A diving contractor shall not conduct a diving operation that includes (a) a category I dive unless the diving contractor has appointed in writing a person who meets the criteria set out in section 27, 29 or 31 to supervise the diving operation and that supervisor is present at all times during the diving operation; (b) a category II dive unless the diving contractor has appointed in writing a person who meets the criteria set out in section 29 or 31 to supervise the diving operation and that supervisor is present at all times during the diving operation; (c) a category III dive unless the diving contractor has appointed in writing a person who meets the criteria set out in section 31 to supervise the diving operation and that supervisor is present at all times during the diving operation; and (d) the use of an ADS unless the diving contractor has appointed in writing a person who meets the criteria set out in section 33 to supervise the diving operation and that supervisor is present at all times during the diving operation. (4) A diving contractor shall not, in a diving operation conducted by the diving contractor, employ a person (a) to make a category I dive unless the person meets the criteria set out in section 53, 55 or 57; (b) to make a category II dive unless the person meets the criteria set out in section 55 or 57; (c) to make a category III dive unless the person meets the criteria set out in section 57; or (d) to pilot an ADS unless the person meets the criteria set out in section 64. (5) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation that is part of a diving program shall (a) ensure that every diving supervisor employed by the diving contractor in the diving program on a full-time basis has the opportunity to supervise each year a minimum of 12 dives appropriate to the category of dive for which the supervisor is certified; (b) ensure that every ADS supervisor employed by the diving contractor in the diving program on a full-time basis has the opportunity to supervise each year a minimum of 6 ADS dives; (c) ensure that every diver employed by the diving contractor in the diving program on a full-time basis has the opportunity to make each year a minimum of 24 dives, totalling a minimum of 20 hours of bottom time, appropriate to the category of dive for which the diver is certified; (d) ensure that every pilot employed by the diving contractor in the diving program on a full-time basis has the opportunity to make each year at least 4 ADS dives totalling a minimum of 16 hours of bottom time; (e) ensure that, except in the case of an emergency, each member of a diving crew involved in the diving operation in every 24 hour period (i) has a rest period of not less than 8 consecutive hours, and (ii) is required to work not more than 12 hours; (f) follow the procedures set out in the procedures manual for the diving program and altered or newly initiated procedures referred to in section 7 for the diving program; (g) maintain, at the craft or installation from which the diving operation is conducted, 2 copies of these regulations and a copy of the applicable procedures manual and make them available to a person involved or to be involved in the diving operation and, on request, to the Chief Safety Officer or a safety officer; (h) provide for a diving plant and equipment necessary for the safe conduct of the diving operation, including (i) adequate firefighting equipment, and (ii) a two-compartment compression chamber that (A) has been approved for the diving program, in accordance with section 5, for use at a pressure that is not less than 6 atmospheres absolute and, where the maximum working pressure that may be encountered during a dive that is part of the diving operation is greater than 6 atmospheres absolute, for use at the maximum pressure plus one atmosphere, (B) is suitable for the diving operation, and (C) is located in a readily accessible place on board the craft or installation from which the diving operation is conducted, except in the case of a diving operation that is conducted at a depth of 10 metres or less, and, where the supervisor of the diving operation approves, may be located within one hour's travelling time from the dive site; (i) use only diving plant and equipment that is of sound construction, adequate strength, free from patent defects and in good working order; (j) provide for the protection of the diving plant and equipment used in the diving operation from malfunction in the environmental conditions under which the diving plant and equipment are to be used, including conditions of low or high temperatures; (k) permit only the repair, replacement and alteration of diving plant and equipment used in the diving operation that has been approved under subsection 7(2) and ensure that routine repair, replacement or alteration is carried out by a competent person; (l) provide adequate illumination of the dive site and the underwater work site of the diving operation (i) during a period of darkness or low visibility, and (ii) where the supervisor of the diving operation requests the illumination and where the nature of the diving operation permits it; (m) provide a diving operations logbook that is permanently bound and has numbered pages; (n) retain a diving operations logbook referred to in paragraph (m) that is delivered to the diving contractor by a supervisor under subsection 50(5), and records or copies delivered to the diving contractor by a supervisor under subsection 52(3), for a period of not less than 2 years after the day of the last entry made in it; and (o) produce, on request, logbooks, records or copies referred to in paragraph (n) for inspection by the Chief Safety Officer or a safety officer. (6) The diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall immediately disrupt or discontinue that operation where its continuance would compromise the safety or endanger the health, well-being or life of a person involved. 243/88 s9; 15/97 c6 Back to Top Certification for exposure to pressure 10. (1) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall not permit a person involved in the diving operation to be exposed to a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure in a compression chamber used in connection with the diving operation unless (a) not more than 12 months before the day of the exposure, a diving doctor has certified that the person is fit to be exposed to the pressure; and (b) copies of the certificate referred to in paragraph (a) are in the possession of the diving contractor and the person. (2) Subsection (1) does not apply (a) to a person who requires therapeutic compression; or (b) in the case of an emergency, to a person who can provide medical treatment, where no person certified under paragraph (1)(a) is available. 243/88 s10 Back to Top Equipment to be used 11. (1) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used in the diving operation (a) only diving plant and equipment that has been examined and, where appropriate, subjected to a pressure leak test using an appropriate breathing mixture to a pressure that is not less than 6 atmospheres absolute and, where the maximum working pressure that may be encountered during a dive that is part of the diving operation is greater than 6 atmospheres absolute, to the maximum pressure plus one atmosphere (i) not more than 3 months before the day on which it is to be used, (ii) on mobilization and assembly, and (iii) following a repair, replacement or alteration of the diving plant and equipment that might affect its safety; (b) in the case of a compression chamber, only a compression chamber that (i) not more than 2 years before the day on which it is to be used, has been subjected to a pressure leak test to the maximum working pressure of the chamber using an appropriate breathing mixture, and (ii) not more than 5 years before the day on which it is to be used, has been subjected to an internal pressure test of at least 1.25 times the maximum working pressure of the chamber; (c) in the case of a pressure vessel for compressed gases that is not intended to be immersed in water, only a pressure vessel that has been subjected to (i) a thorough examination and internal pressure test not more than 5 years before the day on which it is to be used, and (ii) an internal inspection for corrosion not more than 2 years before the day on which it is to be used, or a longer period as is determined by the regulator under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act; (d) in the case of a pressure vessel for compressed gases that is intended to be immersed in water, only a pressure vessel that has been subjected to (i) a thorough examination and internal pressure test not more than 2 years before the day on which it is to be used, and (ii) an internal inspection for corrosion not more than one year before the day on which it is to be used, or a longer period as is determined by the regulator under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act; and (e) in the case of lifting equipment for a launch and recovery system, only lifting equipment that has been tested (i) on first installation and after that, before operational use of the lifting equipment following a repair, replacement or alteration, other than a routine repair, replacement or alteration carried out by a competent person, by means of a functional test, and (ii) every 6 months following a functional test carried out under subparagraph (i), by means of a test that tests the capability of the lifting equipment to operate safely under its maximum working load. (2) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall ensure that (a) each examination and test required to be carried out for the purpose of subsection (1) is carried out by or under the supervision of a recognized body and in accordance with an acceptable standard; and (b) where a pneumatic or hydrostatic pressure test is carried out for the purpose of subsection (1), adequate precautions are taken to ensure the safety of the personnel involved, the diving plant and equipment and the craft or installation used in the test. (3) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall keep a register in which are inserted or to which are attached certificates (a) containing details and results of examinations and tests carried out under subsection (1); and (b) signed by the person by whom or under whose supervision the examinations or tests were carried out, and shall retain the register (c) in the case of a register that contains certificates relating to pressure vessels, for at least 5 years after the day of the last entry in it; and (d) in another case, for at least 2 years after the day of the last entry in it. (4) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall not use or permit to be used in the diving operation a diving plant and equipment that is unsafe as determined by an examination or test carried out under subsection (1). 243/88 s11; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Diving plant and equipment 12. (1) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall not use or permit to be used a diving plant and equipment in the diving operation unless its design is such that (a) it enables divers and pilots to safely enter and leave the water; (b) divers can be safely compressed or decompressed in accordance with the relevant schedule in the appropriate decompression table; (c) where a hot water system is used as the means of heating a diver, a hot water reservoir is, where practicable, included in the system; and (d) the body temperature of a diver or pilot can be maintained with safe limits during the diving operation. (2) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall ensure that (a) before the time a diver involved in the diving operation enters the water, the diver is provided with (i) a diving harness complete with pelvic support and lifting ring, (ii) a depth indicator that is, where practicable, a type that can be monitored from the surface, and (iii) during a period of darkness or low visibility or where requested by the supervisor of the diving operation, a lamp or other suitable device that indicates the diver's location; (b) the first aid supplies as prescribed by the regulator, or equivalent first aid supplies approved in accordance with section 5 for the diving program of which the diving operation is a part, are (i) packed in a manner so that they fit through the medical lock of a surface compression chamber used in the diving operation, and (ii) kept on the craft or installation from which the diving operation is conducted, except where it is impracticable in a category I diving operation or an ADS diving operation and where the supervisor of the diving operation approves, in which case the supplies may be kept readily available within a travelling distance of the diving operation that is acceptable to the supervisor and, where a diving bell or diving submersible is used in the diving operation, the first aid supplies as prescribed by the regulator, or equivalent first aid supplies approved in accordance with section 5 for the diving program of which the diving operation is a part, are kept in the diving bell or the compression chamber of the diving submersible; (c) an airtight container used to pack the first aid supplies referred to in paragraph (b) for use in the diving operation has a suitable means of equalizing pressure; (d) where the safe use of the diving plant and equipment depends on the pressure or depth at which it is used, the diving plant and equipment is clearly marked with the maximum working pressure or the maximum depth at which it may be used; (e) a lifeline used in the diving operation has a manufacturer's breaking strength rating in accordance with an acceptable standard; (f) a gas bottle used in the diving operation is clearly marked with the name and chemical formula of its contents; (g) a winch used in the diving operation to raise or lower a skip, diving bell, diving submersible or ADS (i) is so constructed that (A) a brake or mechanical locking device is applied when the control lever, handle or switch is not held in the operating position, (B) the brakes have the capability of stopping and holding 100% of the maximum working load with the outermost layer of wire on the drum, (C) the brakes engage automatically on loss of power, and (D) the lowering and raising of loads is controlled by power drives independent of the brake mechanism, (ii) is not fitted with a pawl and ratchet gear on which the pawl has to be disengaged before commencing a lowering or raising operation, (iii) is so designed as to prevent the possibility of freeze-up when in operation, (iv) is equipped with a lifting wire capable of withstanding a functional test in accordance with an acceptable standard, and (v) complies with an acceptable standard of construction for winches; (h) a prime mover used in the diving operation to operate lifting equipment for a skip, diving bell, diving submersible or ADS is not used for another purpose; (i) except where alternative lifting equipment is provided for a skip, diving bell, diving submersible or ADS used in the diving operation, an auxiliary prime mover capable of lifting the maximum working load is provided; (j) where, during the diving operation, a skip, diving bell, diving submersible or ADS is being held in position by a hydraulically operated winch that is not equipped with a mechanical locking device, the hydraulic pumps are kept running during the diving operation; (k) where the regulator so determines under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act a craft or installation used in the diving operation is equipped with (i) a receiver system that is compatible with the relocation transponder system fitted to a diving bell, diving submersible or ADS that is used in the diving operation, and (ii) a hand-held receiver that is suitable for use by a diver or pilot in achieving a final location and that is compatible with the receiver system on the craft or installation and the relocation transponder system on the diving bell, diving submersible or ADS;

(l) a skip, diving submersible or ADS used in the diving operation is equipped with (i) a secondary lifting eye or similar device that is of at least the same strength as the primary lifting eye, and (ii) where practicable, an additional cable in the form of a suitable tag rope so designed that, in the event that the primary lifting cable breaks during a water-air interface transport, the tag rope will not permit the skip, diving submersible or ADS to descend to a depth greater than 25 metres, and has readily available, for use in an emergency, a secondary lifting cable that has at least the same strength as the primary lifting cable and that is compatible with the secondary lifting eye or similar device; (m) a skip used in the diving operation to transport divers through the water-air interface is (i) large enough to carry, in uncramped conditions, at least 2 divers with their personal diving equipment, (ii) secured against tipping or spinning, (iii) not encumbered by equipment that may interfere with an occupant's foothold or handhold, (iv) equipped with handholds arranged in such a manner that crushed hand injuries during launch or recovery are avoided, (v) so constructed or equipped that its occupants are secure against falling out of the skip, and (vi) in the case of a skip that is a wet bell, equipped with an additional band mask or full face mask; (n) a diving submersible or ADS used in the diving operation is equipped with (i) a stroboscopic light that is automatically activated in the water and a pinger that operates at a frequency of 37.5 kilohertz, and (ii) a relocation transponder system that operates at a frequency of 37.5 kilohertz, where the regulator so determines under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act; (o) a secondary source of power that will operate in the event of a failure of the primary source of power is provided for the diving operation, can be brought on-line rapidly and has sufficient capacity to (i) operate the handling system for a skip, diving bell, diving submersible or ADS used in the diving operation, (ii) heat a compression chamber used in the diving operation and heat, for the period required to complete the diving operation, a diver who is involved in the diving operation and who is in the water, (iii) sustain the life support system of a compression chamber used in the diving operation and of a diver who makes a dive that is part of the diving operation, (iv) illuminate the interior of a compression chamber used in the diving operation, and (v) operate a communication system and monitoring system used in the diving operation; and (p) where a craft is used in the diving operation, there is provided a safe means of ensuring that the craft is, during the diving operation, (i) at anchor, (ii) made fast to the shore or to an installation, (iii) maintained in position using its propulsion system in accordance with section 25, or (iv) used in a manner that the regulator determines under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act or as approved in accordance with section 5 for the diving program of which the diving operation is a part. 243/88 s12; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Communications systems 13. (1) A diving contractor shall not conduct a diving operation unless there is available for use in the diving operation (a) for communications between the supervisor of the diving operation and a diver or pilot involved in the diving operation (i) a primary communication system that has (A) sound reproduction adequate to enable breathing to be clearly heard and oral communications to be clearly heard and understandable, and (B) a recording device that continuously records all oral communications while a dive is in progress, and (ii) a secondary communication system that allows the supervisor and the divers or pilots to communicate orally in the event of a failure of the primary communication system; and (b) for communications between the supervisor and a person involved in, or in a position to assist in, the diving operation, other than the divers and pilots referred to in paragraph (a), a communication system that meets the requirements of paragraph 6(1)(f). (2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a diving operation where SCUBA is used and where it is impracticable to use the communication systems referred to in that subsection, in which case a diving contractor shall not conduct such a diving operation unless there is available for use in the diving operation an alternative method of communication that is adequate for the type of diving operation and that the supervisor of the diving operation considers suitable for the diving operation. 243/88 s13 Back to Top Pressure vessels 14. A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall not use or permit to be used in the diving operation a pressure vessel intended for human occupancy unless the pressure vessel is equipped with (a) a breathing mask for each occupant of the pressure vessel; (b) a means of maintaining the oxygen, carbon dioxide, temperature and humidity in the pressure vessel at levels and pressures that are safe for the occupants; and (c) for use in an emergency, a back-up capability to maintain the levels and pressures referred to in paragraph (b) for a minimum of, in the case of a diving bell or the compression chamber of a diving submersible, 24 hours and, in another case, 48 hours. 243/88 s14 Back to Top Compression chambers 15. A diving contractor, who conducts a diving operation shall not use or permit to be used a compression chamber in the diving operation unless the compression chamber (a) meets the requirements of section 14; (b) is designed and constructed in accordance with an acceptable standard; (c) provides a suitable environment for its occupants, including amenities appropriate to the type, depth and duration of the diving operation; (d) is equipped with doors that act as pressure seals and that can be opened from both the inside and the outside; (e) is designed to minimize the risk of fire and (i) is constructed of only non-combustible or fire-resistant materials, and (ii) is equipped with suitable firefighting capabilities; (f) is fitted with adequate equipment, including facilities for (i) supplying to and maintaining for its occupants an appropriate breathing mixture, (ii) lighting and heating the compression chamber, and (iii) removing carbon dioxide; (g) is equipped with valves, gauges and other fittings necessary to indicate and control the internal pressures of each compartment from outside the compression chamber; (h) is fitted with piping that has at least one external shut-off valve, where practicable, immediately outside the point at which the piping enters the compression chamber and one internal shut?off valve immediately inside that point; (i) is fitted with hull integrity valves that clearly indicate whether the valves are in the open or closed position and that are clearly labelled by name and number; (j) other than a diving bell and the compression chamber of a diving submersible, is equipped with a built-in breathing system that permits outside dumping of exhaled gas; (k) where appropriate, is equipped with an emergency shut-off valve that automatically shuts off the flow of gas from the compression chamber if the velocity or volume of gas exceeds the preset limit; (l) is equipped with relief valves resistant to marine corrosion; (m) has all of its internal electrical wiring insulated and in conduit, except for the wiring for low power devices such as telephones; (n) is cleaned and disinfected using only products that are (i) recommended by the manufacturer for that type of use, (ii) well proven for that purpose, (iii) non-toxic at any pressure, (iv) non-corrosive, and (v) safe to use; (o) where used in a category II dive or a category III dive or, where practicable, in a category I dive, is provided with a coupling arrangement that is suitable for the safe transfer of persons under pressure and that is designed to prevent accidental release; (p) is provided with a clamping mechanism that (i) is suitable for coupling a diving bell with the surface compression chamber, (ii) clearly indicates when the clamping mechanism is fully engaged, and (iii) cannot be disengaged while pressurized; (q) is supplied with breathing mixture through a gas control panel that (i) has distinct indicators of the function of each valve and gauge, and (ii) is designed so as to minimize the possibility of supplying an incorrect breathing mixture; (r) if manufactured after December 31, 1990, (i) is fitted with a device to record continuously and to preserve at least the last recorded 4 hours of data respecting temperature, oxygen levels, depth, time and oral communications and, where practicable, carbon dioxide and humidity levels, and (ii) where practicable, is provided with a means to permit video monitoring of its occupants; and (s) if manufactured on or before December 31, 1990, meets the requirements set out in paragraph (r) where the regulator makes a determination under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act. 243/88 s15; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Surface compression chambers 16. A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall not use or permit to be used a surface compression chamber in the diving operation unless the surface compression chamber (a) meets the requirements of sections 14 and 15; (b) contains at least 2 independently sealable compartments; (c) contains sufficient space in at least one of its compartments to enable each occupant to lie down comfortably in the compartment; (d) where a person will be in the surface compression chamber for a period of 8 consecutive hours or less, has an internal vertical diameter of at least 1.5 metres; (e) where a person will be in the surface compression chamber for a period of more than 8 consecutive hours, has an internal vertical diameter of at least 2 metres; (f) is equipped with a medical lock; (g) where the surface compression chamber will be used for a period of more than 12 consecutive hours, has adequate sanitation facilities; (h) if manufactured after December 31, 1990, is fitted with a through-hull connector suitable for medical monitoring of its occupants; and (i) if manufactured on or before December 31, 1990, meets the requirements of paragraph (h) where the regulator makes a determination under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act. 243/88 s16; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Diving bells 17. A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall not use or permit to be used a diving bell in the diving operation unless the diving bell (a) meets the requirements of sections 14 and 15; (b) is equipped to permit the safe transfer of persons under pressure to and from a surface compression chamber; (c) is of a design that (i) provides for an internal space of at least 3 metres cubed for two-person occupancy and 4 metres cubed for three?person occupancy, (ii) enables divers to enter and exit without difficulty, and (iii) allows at least 2 divers dressed-in for a diving operation to be seated comfortably; (d) is equipped with valves, gauges and other fittings necessary to control the internal pressure and to indicate both inside the diving bell and at the diving station the internal and external pressures; (e) is so equipped that a valve used to pressurize the diving bell is spring-loaded so as to close when not held in the open position; (f) contains adequate equipment, including reserve facilities, for supplying the appropriate breathing mixture to persons occupying or working from the diving bell, which reserve facilities shall be protected against inadvertent operation and be capable of being brought on-line from inside the diving bell without the assistance of another person; (g) is equipped with a two-way oral communication system by means of which a person inside the diving bell can communicate with the diving supervisor of the diving operation and, via the diving supervisor, with other persons; (h) contains equipment for lighting and heating the diving bell; (i) is equipped with suitable emergency life support equipment and provisions for each occupant of the diving bell; (j) is equipped with a lifting device sufficient to enable an unconscious or injured diver to be hoisted into the diving bell by a person located in it; (k) is provided with lifting equipment that enables the diving bell to be lowered to the depth at which the diving operation is to be conducted, to be maintained in its position and to be raised, all without excessive lateral, vertical or rotational movement; (l) is provided with a means by which, in the event of the failure of the lifting equipment referred to in paragraph (k), the diving bell can be returned to the surface and, where that means involves the shedding of weights, the controls for that shedding can be operated from within the diving bell, and a means is incorporated to prevent the accidental shedding of those weights; (m) in addition to a primary lifting cable, is equipped with a suitable tag rope so designed that, in the event the primary cable breaks during a water-air interface transport, the tag rope will not permit the diving bell to descend to a depth greater than 25 metres; (n) is equipped with a secondary lifting eye, or similar device that is of at least the same strength as the primary lifting eye, and is provided with a secondary lifting cable that is readily available and that has at least the same strength as the primary lifting cable and is compatible with the secondary lifting eye or similar device; (o) is fitted with equipment to enable occupants of the diving bell to monitor the temperature, oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within the diving bell; (p) is equipped with a stroboscopic light that is automatically activated in the water and a pinger that operates at a frequency of 37.5 kilohertz; (q) where the regulator makes a determination under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act, is fitted with a relocation transponder system that operates at a frequency of 37.5 kilohertz; (r) where appropriate, is fitted with hull integrity valves and non-return valves on all gas and, where practicable, hot water circuits connected to the diving bell; (s) if manufactured after December 31, 1990, (i) is so designed that, if necessary, a diver within the diving bell can (A) disconnect or shear the primary lifting cable and the umbilical, (B) disconnect or shear other attachments that might prevent ascent, (C) start, accelerate, decelerate or stop the ascent, and (D) where practicable, start, accelerate, decelerate or stop the descent, and (ii) is fitted with a device to record continuously and to preserve at least the last recorded 4 hours of data respecting temperature, oxygen levels, depth, time, oral communications, internal and external ambient pressure and the quantity of breathing mixture and electrical power available for use in an emergency and, where practicable, carbon dioxide and humidity levels; and (t) if manufactured on or before December 31, 1990, meets the requirements set out in paragraph (s) where the board so determines under paragraph 134(1)(b). 243/88 s17; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Diving submersibles 18. A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall not use or permit to be used a diving submersible in the diving operation unless (a) the compression chamber of the diving submersible meets the requirements of sections 14, 15 and 17, except paragraphs 17(k) to (n) and subparagraph 17(s)(i); (b) during a period in which the diving submersible is in use, it is (i) resting on the bottom, (ii) firmly secured at or near the work site where it is to be used, or (iii) secured in a manner that the regulator determines under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act or as approved in accordance with section 5 for the diving program of which the diving operation is a part; (c) there is a means of maintaining at a safe level the body temperature of a person in the compression chamber of the diving submersible and a person in the water making a dive from the diving submersible; and (d) a diver is present in the compression chamber of the diving submersible at any time that a dive is in progress. 243/88 s18; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Oxygen supply systems 19. (1) Where an oxygen supply system is to be used in a diving operation, the diving contractor who conducts the diving operation shall use or permit to be used only an oxygen supply system the design of which complies with the requirements that (a) the use of hoses and piping be kept to a minimum; (b) the materials used be compatible with oxygen at the pressures and temperatures for which the oxygen supply system is designed; (c) the possibility of contamination of the oxygen by other gases, and vice versa, be minimized; (d) high velocity flows of oxygen be avoided; (e) the differential pressure throughout the oxygen supply system be kept as low as is practicable; and (f) quick shut-off valves not be installed in the oxygen supply system except for one-quarter turn valves that are connected to lines with reduced oxygen pressure and that may be used in an emergency. (2) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall ensure that (a) an oxygen storage area for the diving operation is (i) adequately ventilated, (ii) properly identified with warning signs, (iii) equipped with a fire suppression system, (iv) kept clear of and located as far as practicable away from combustible materials, and (v) if located in an enclosed area, equipped with an oxygen detector and an alarm designed to give warning of oxygen levels in excess of the concentration of oxygen in the ambient air; (b) a person responsible for handling or otherwise dealing with oxygen is specially trained in that work; and (c) oxygen is transferred using only pumps, compressors or pressure differential systems that are (i) recommended for that purpose by the manufacturer, (ii) operated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, and (iii) operated by a person authorized to do so by the supervisor of the diving operation. 243/88 s19 Back to Top Breathing mixture supply systems 20. A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall use or permit to be used in the diving operation only a breathing mixture supply system designed so that (a) an interruption of the supply of breathing mixture to a person will not affect in any manner the supply of breathing mixture to another person; and (b) a failure of the primary supply of breathing mixture to a person will not affect in any manner the supply of breathing mixture to that person from that person's bale-out gas bottle or from the reserve referred to in subparagraph 22(1)(a)(ii). 243/88 s20 Back to Top Gas systems 21. A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall not use in the diving operation an on-line gas blender or diver's gas recovery system unless, at all times that the blender or recovery system is in use, (a) there is a buffer tank in use downstream of the blender or recovery system; (b) the blended breathing mixture is constantly analyzed for its oxygen content; and (c) the quantity referred to in clause 22(1)(a)(iii)(C) of appropriate breathing mixture bypassing, in an emergency, the blender or recovery system is available for immediate use. 243/88 s21 Back to Top Quantity and quality of breathing mixture 22. (1) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall not conduct or permit the commencement or continuation of the diving operation unless (a) the total quantity of appropriate breathing mixture that is available during the diving operation consists of (i) an adequate quantity to complete the diving operation, (ii) a reasonable quantity for a reserve supply, and (iii) for use in an emergency, an additional supply that is (A) in the case of a diving operation in which a diving bell is used, a sufficient quantity to meet the needs of the occupants of the diving bell for a minimum of 24 hours, (B) in the case of a diving operation in which an ADS is used, a sufficient quantity to meet the needs of the occupants of the ADS for a minimum of 48 hours, (C) in the case of a diving operation in which an on-line gas blender or diver's gas recovery system is used, a sufficient quantity to allow the divers to interrupt or continue the diving operation safely, and (D) in the case of a diving operation in which a surface compression chamber is used, a quantity that is twice the amount required to pressurize the surface compression chamber to a pressure equivalent to the pressure at the greatest depth in respect of which the surface compression chamber will be used in the diving operation; (b) the purity of the breathing mixture is of an acceptable standard; and (c) the quantities referred to in subparagraphs (a)(ii) and(iii) are available for immediate use at a flow rate, temperature and pressure that are safe for the user. (2) A diving contractor shall not conduct a diving operation unless (a) a breathing mixture to be used in the diving operation is (i) analyzed for the accuracy of its oxygen content and, where practicable, its other contents immediately before the commencement of the dive that is part of the diving operation, and (ii) supplied at temperature and humidity levels that are safe; and (b) the levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the breathing mixture to be used in the diving operation are maintained at levels that are suitable for the type, depth and duration of the diving operation. 243/88 s22 Back to Top Evacuation, rescue and treatment facilities 23. (1) A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall provide for the availability of evacuation, rescue and treatment facilities and devices that (a) are suitable for the type, depth and duration of the diving operation and for the environmental conditions under which the diving operation is conducted; and (b) have been approved in accordance with section 5 for the diving program of which the diving operation is a part. (2) The evacuation, rescue and treatment facilities and devices referred to in subsection (1) shall be available (a) for use by persons involved in the diving operation as quickly as possible and within the period of time for which the life-support system of the surface compression chamber, diving bell or ADS used in the diving operation is capable of maintaining the life of the occupants; and (b) where practicable, on site. 243/88 s23 Back to Top Medical services 24. A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall (a) ensure that at all times during the diving operation each diving crew involved in the diving operation includes a hyperbaric first aid technician available on the craft or installation from which the diving operation is conducted; (b) arrange for the services, on a 24 hour a day basis, of a specialized diving doctor, referred to in paragraph 4(3)(d), who is familiar with the diving procedures to be used in the diving operation and who is within a travelling distance of the diving operation that is acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, to provide medical assistance in the event of an emergency; (c) ensure that an adequate means of communication exists on a 24 hour a day basis between (i) the diving station, or (ii) the craft or installation from which the diving operation is being conducted and the specialized diving doctor referred to in paragraph (b); and (d) locate the nearest surface compression chamber that is compatible with the equipment used in the diving operation and that is suitable for the type, depth and duration of the diving operation to be conducted and shall make arrangements for the use of that surface compression chamber in the event of an emergency. 243/88 s24; 15/97 s7 Back to Top Craft in dynamically positioned mode 25. A diving contractor who conducts a diving operation shall not use or permit to be used a craft in the dynamically positioned mode in the diving operation unless that use was specifically approved in accordance with section 5 for the diving program of which the diving operation is a part and the following requirements are complied with: (a) the craft is so designed and constructed that (i) more than one prime mover is available for each fore, aft and thwartship thruster, (ii) in the event of the failure of a prime mover or manoeuvring unit of the craft, the position of the craft can be maintained during the period it would take for the safe recovery of divers, (iii) the arrangement of the thrusters and their size and number enable, in the event of the loss of a thruster of the craft, the heading and the position of the craft to be maintained within the environmental and operational capacity limits of that craft for the time it takes to safely recover a skip, diving bell or ADS used in the diving operation, (iv) for each manoeuvring unit necessary to maintain the craft in the dynamically positioned mode, other than the propellers and energy plant units, there is a reserve duplicate unit and an automatic and a manual system to switch from the on-line unit to the duplicate unit, (v) the supervisor on duty at the diving station on the craft can, by means of an alarm system connecting the bridge of the craft to the diving station on the craft, be kept informed by the person who controls the dynamic positioning system of station-keeping problems or other problems that might affect the safety of the diving operation, (vi) a computer system controls the dynamic positioning of the craft and another independent, duplicate computer system is available to take over control automatically in the event of failure of the on-line computer system, (vii) there are on line at least 2 reference systems independently linked into each computer system referred to in subparagraph (vi); (b) during a time that a person involved in the diving operation is in the water (i) a person who is responsible for the navigation of the craft and a person who is responsible for the control of the dynamic positioning system are in the control room of the craft, (ii) the machinery spaces of the craft, except those in the pontoons of a semi-submersible craft, are crewed, and (iii) in any one manoeuvre, the craft is not moved more than 5 metres or the heading of the craft is not changed more than 5°, whichever is the lesser movement in relation to the location of the dive site of the diving operation; and (c) a person who is responsible for the control of the dynamic positioning system of the craft has experience of at least 6 months using both the manual and the automatic modes of that particular system or, where that is impracticable, of a similar system, and at least 2 weeks' briefing by the designer or manufacturer of the craft on the behaviour and hydrodynamics of that craft when operating in the dynamically positioned mode. 243/88 s25 PART IV DIVING SAFETY SPECIALISTS Back to Top Diving safety specialists 26. (1) An operator under paragraph 6(1)(a) or diving contractor under subsection 9(1) shall not engage the services of a person as a diving safety specialist unless the person holds a diving supervisor's certificate that is issued under section 71 and that is appropriate to the category of dive in respect of which that person will be giving advice and (a) has passed a test that (i) is acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, and (ii) indicates that the person has an adequate knowledge of the safety, personnel, technical, operational, management, marketing and regulatory aspects of diving operations appropriate to the category of diving supervisor's certificate that person holds; or (b) until December 31, 1990, has satisfied the regulator that the person's knowledge is equivalent to the knowledge described in paragraph (a). (2) A person who has been engaged as a diving safety specialist for a diving program by an operator under paragraph 6(1)(a) shall (a) advise the operator on all safety aspects of the diving program including (i) the application for authorization under paragraph 134(1)(b) of the Act for the diving program, (ii) an application made by the operator for authorization under subsection 146(1) of the Act, and (iii) a decision by the operator to interrupt or discontinue the diving program or a portion of the diving program for safety reasons; and (b) be available on a 24 hour a day basis to advise a person involved in the diving program, including persons making decisions affecting the safety of divers involved in the diving program, on the safety aspects of the diving program. (3) A person who has been engaged as a diving safety specialist for a diving operation by a diving contractor under subsection 9(1) shall (a) advise the diving contractor on all safety aspects of the diving operation; and (b) be available on a 24 hour a day basis to advise a person involved in the diving operation, including a person making decisions affecting the safety of divers involved in the diving operation, on all safety aspects of the diving operation. (4) A diving safety specialist referred to in subsection (2) or (3) shall, in advising a person under those subsections, take into account as a primary consideration the safety of divers involved in the diving program or diving operation. 243/88 s26; 15/97 s35 ; 2025 c4 s256 PART V SUPERVISORS Back to Top Category I supervisor 27. A person shall not supervise a category I diving operation unless the person (a) has been appointed in writing under paragraph 9(3)(a); (b) has been certified to be medically fit (i) to dive in accordance with paragraph 53(b), or (ii) to supervise by a medical doctor who has examined the person not more than 12 months before the date on which the diving operation is to be conducted and who has recorded the results of the examination on a medical examination record in the form prescribed by the Chief Safety Officer and in a diving supervisor's medical certificate in that person's supervisor's logbook referred to in section 51; (c) holds a valid diving supervisor's certificate issued under section 28, 30, 32 or 71, or a valid document that is (i) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under section 28, 30 or 32, and (ii) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer; and (d) has satisfied the diving contractor who conducts the diving operation that (i) the person has sufficient diving and supervisory experience and adequate knowledge in the use of the diving plant and equipment to be used in the diving operation, or a similar type of diving plant and equipment, and the breathing mixture to be used in the diving operation and is familiar with the relevant provisions of the procedures manual referred to in paragraph 4(4)(a) and the contingency plan referred to in paragraph 4(4)(i) to be used in the diving operation, and (ii) the person's involvement in the diving operation is in no way contrary to a restriction under section 35 in that person's supervisor's certificate or attached to that person's document referred to in paragraph (c). 243/88 s27; 15/97 s8&35 Back to Top Category I supervisor's certificate 28. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may on application issue a category I diving supervisor's certificate that is valid for one year to a person who (a) has (i) been, for at least 3 years, the holder of a category I diving certificate issued under section 54 or 71, or a document that is (A) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under section 54, and (B) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, (ii) been, during the 12 months preceding the application, an assistant diving supervisor for at least 16 category I dives and has supervised at least 2 real or mock incidents involving decompression sickness, (iii) submitted to the Chief Safety Officer a letter of recommendation that is in the form prescribed by the regulator and is signed by a diving contractor or operator and by a diving supervisor, and (iv) passed a test acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer for a category I diving supervisor's certificate; (b) held a category I diving supervisor's certificate that was issued under this subsection but is no longer valid because it was not renewed under subsection (2) and who meets the requirements of subparagraphs (a)(ii) and (iii); or (c) until December 31, 1990, has satisfied the regulator that the person's training and experience are equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under paragraph (a). (2) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application by the holder of a category I diving supervisor's certificate issued under subsection (1), renew the certificate for a period of one year where the holder of that certificate has supervised at least 12 category I dives and at least 2 real or mock incidents involving decompression sickness during the 12 months preceding the application. 243/88 s28; 15/97 s9&35 ; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Category II diving operation supervisor 29. A person shall not supervise a category II diving operation unless the person (a) has been appointed in writing under paragraph 9(3)(b); (b) meets the criteria set out in paragraphs 27(b) and (d); and (c) holds a valid diving supervisor's certificate issued under section 30, 32 or 71, or a valid document that is (i) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under section 30 or 32, and (ii) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer. 243/88 s29; 15/97 s10&35 Back to Top Category II diving supervisor's certificate 30. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may on application issue a category II diving supervisor's certificate that is valid for one year to a person who (a) has (i) been, for at least 2 years, the holder of a category II diving certificate issued under section 56 or 71, or a document that is (A) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under section 56, and (B) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, (ii) been, during the 12 months preceding the application, an assistant diving supervisor for at least 6 category II dives and 10 category I dives and has supervised at least 2 real or mock incidents involving decompression sickness, (iii) submitted to the regulator a letter of recommendation that is in the form prescribed by the Chief Safety Officer and is signed by a diving contractor or operator and by a diving supervisor who holds a category II or III diving supervisor's certificate, and (iv) passed a test acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer for a category II diving supervisor's certificate; (b) held a category II diving supervisor's certificate that was issued under this subsection but is no longer valid because it was not renewed under subsection (2) and who meets the requirements of subparagraphs (a)(ii) and (iii); or (c) until December 31, 1990, has satisfied the regulator that the person's training and experience are equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under paragraph (a). (2) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application by the holder of a category II diving supervisor's certificate issued under subsection (1), renew the certificate for a period of one year where the holder of that certificate has supervised at least 12 dives, of which at least 6 were category II dives, and has supervised at least 2 real or mock incidents involving decompression sickness during the 12 months preceding the application. 243/88 s30; 15/97 s11&35 ; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Category III diving operation supervisor 31. A person shall not supervise a category III diving operation unless the person (a) has been appointed in writing under paragraph 9(3)(c); (b) meets the criteria set out in paragraphs 27(b) and (d); and (c) holds a valid category III diving supervisor's certificate issued under section 32 or 71, or a valid document that is (i) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under section 32, and (ii) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer. 243/88 s31; 15/97 s12&35 Back to Top Category III diving supervisor's certificate 32. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may on application issue a category III diving supervisor's certificate that is valid for one year to a person who (a) has (i) been, for at least 2 years, the holder of a category III diving certificate issued under section 58 or 71, or a document that is (A) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under section 58, and (B) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, (ii) been, during the 12 months preceding the application, an assistant diving supervisor for at least 16 dives of which at least 2 were saturation dives and 6 were category II dives and has supervised at least 2 real or mock incidents involving decompression sickness, (iii) submitted to the Chief Safety Officer a letter of recommendation that is in the form prescribed by the Chief Safety Officer is signed by a diving contractor or operator and by 2 diving supervisors each of whom holds a category III diving supervisor's certificate, and (iv) passed a test acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer for a category III diving supervisor's certificate; (b) held a category III diving supervisor's certificate that was issued under this subsection but is no longer valid because it was not renewed under subsection (2) and who meets the requirements of subparagraphs (a)(ii) and (iii); or (c) until December 31, 1990, has satisfied the regulator that the person's training and experience are equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under paragraph (a). (2) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application by the holder of a category III diving supervisor's certificate issued under subsection (1), renew the certificate for a period of one year where the holder of that certificate has supervised at least 12 dives of which at least one was a saturation dive and at least 6 were category II dives and has supervised at least 2 real or mock incidents involving decompression sickness during the 12 months preceding the application. 243/88 s32; 15/97 s13&35 ; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Supervision of an ADS diving operation 33. A person shall not supervise an ADS diving operation unless the person (a) has been appointed in writing under paragraph 9(3)(d); (b) meets the criteria set out in paragraph 27(b) and subparagraph 27(d)(ii); (c) has satisfied the diving contractor who conducts the diving operation that the person has sufficient pilot and ADS supervisory experience and adequate knowledge in the use of the type of ADS to be used in the diving operation and is familiar with the relevant provisions of the procedures manual referred to in paragraph 4(4)(a) and the contingency plan referred to in paragraph 4(4)(i) to be used in the diving operation; and (d) holds a valid ADS supervisor's certificate issued under section 34 or 71 or a valid document that is (i) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under section 34, and (ii) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer. 243/88 s33; 15/97 s14&35 Back to Top ADS supervisor's certificate 34. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may on application issue an ADS supervisor's certificate that is valid for one year to a person who (a) has (i) been, for at least 3 years, the holder of a pilot's certificate issued under section 65 or 71, or a document that is (A) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under section 65, and (B) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, (ii) made at least 20 ADS dives with a total bottom time of at least 80 hours, and (iii) submitted to the Chief Safety officer a letter of recommendation that is signed by a diving contractor or operator and by an ADS supervisor and that is acceptable to the regulator; (b) held an ADS supervisor's certificate that was issued under this subsection but is no longer valid because it was not renewed under subsection (2) and has supervised at least 10 ADS dives with a total bottom time of at least 25 hours during the 12 months preceding the application; or (c) until December 31, 1990, has satisfied the regulator that the person's training and experience are equivalent to the training and experience required of a person to obtain a certificate under paragraph (a). (2) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application by the holder of an ADS supervisor's certificate issued under subsection (1), renew the certificate for a period of one year where the holder of the certificate has supervised at least 6 ADS dives with a total bottom time of at least 20 hours during the 12 months preceding the application. 243/88 s34; 15/97 s15&35 ; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Restrictions respecting supervisor's certificate and document 35. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may insert in a supervisor's certificate issued under section 28, 30, 32, 34 or 71, or attach to a document referred to in subparagraph 28(1)(a)(i), 30(1)(a)(i), 32(1)(a)(i) or 34(1)(a)(i), restrictions with respect to the supervision of a diving operation by the holders of the certificate or the document where the Chief Safety Officer considers those restrictions necessary for safety reasons. (2) Where the Chief Safety Officer inserts a restriction in a certificate or attaches a restriction to a document under subsection (1), the Chief Safety Officer shall give the holder of the certificate or the document an opportunity to show cause why the restriction should not be so inserted or attached. 15/97 s16 Back to Top Invalidation of supervisor's certificate 36. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may invalidate a supervisor's certificate issued under section 28, 30, 32, 34 or 71 where, in the opinion of the Chief Safety Officer, the holder of the certificate has become incompetent or incapacitated. (2) Where the Chief Safety Officer proposes to invalidate a supervisor's certificate under subsection (1), the Chief Safety Officer shall give the holder of the certificate at least 30 days' notice in writing setting out the reasons for the proposed invalidation and shall give the holder an opportunity to show cause why the certificate should not be invalidated. 15/97 s16 Back to Top Duties of supervisors 37. (1) A diving supervisor shall not, in a diving operation supervised by the diving supervisor, permit a person to make (a) a category I dive in the diving operation unless the person meets the criteria set out in section 55 or 57; (b) a category II dive in the diving operation unless the person meets the criteria set out in section 53, 55 or 57; (c) a category III dive in the diving operation unless the person meets the criteria set out in section 57. (2) An ADS supervisor shall not, in an ADS diving operation supervised by the ADS supervisor, permit a person to make an ADS dive in the diving operation unless the person meets the criteria set out in section 64. (3) A supervisor shall not, in a diving operation under his or her supervision, permit a person to be involved in the diving operation where the supervisor believes on reasonable grounds that the person is unfit to be involved in that diving operation or that the involvement of that person in the diving operation could compromise the safety of other persons involved in the diving operation. (4) A diving supervisor shall plan dives in a manner so that the total bottom time of a diver supervised by the supervisor does not exceed, in a 24 hour period, (a) in the case of a category I dive (i) 5 hours at depths of 20 metres or less, or (ii) 3 hours at depths of more than 20 metres; (b) in the case of a category II dive, 3 hours; and (c) in the case of a category III dive, 8 hours. (5) A diving supervisor shall plan a diving operation in a manner so that, where practicable, a diving bell is used in the diving operation for a dive to a depth of more than 30 metres that requires surface decompression. (6) An ADS supervisor shall ensure that a pilot supervised by the supervisor does not remain underwater, in a 24 hour period, for more than a total of 8 hours. (7) A supervisor shall ensure that, following a dive under his or her supervision, the diver or pilot who made the dive has an adequate rest period. 243/88 s37 Back to Top Duties of supervisor 38. (1) The supervisor of a diving operation shall be present at the diving station from which the diving operation is controlled at all times during the diving operation or during the period in which the supervisor is on duty and shall (a) directly control the diving operation; (b) use, during the total dive time of the diving operation, a sufficient number of trained persons to operate the diving plant and equipment used in that diving operation; and (c) follow the relevant provisions of the applicable procedures manual for that diving operation. (2) Notwithstanding another provision of these regulations, the supervisor of a diving operation may, in the case of an emergency, allow or direct the use of diving techniques, equipment and procedures not permitted by these regulations where that use provides the only available practicable means of ensuring or enhancing the safety of the persons involved in the diving operation. (3) The supervisor of a diving operation shall interrupt or discontinue the diving operation where (a) continuation of the diving operation would or is likely to compromise the safety of a person involved in the diving operation; (b) the water currents at the underwater work site of the diving operation are likely to compromise the safety of a diver or pilot involved in the diving operation; or (c) combustible material is stored too close for safety to a diving plant and equipment used in the diving operation. (4) The supervisor of a diving operation that involves the use of a diving submersible shall, where practicable, discontinue the diving operation where the unused stored electrical power of the diving submersible reaches 20% of the electrical power capacity of the diving submersible, excluding the back-up capability referred to in paragraph 14(c). (5) Where the supervisor of a diving operation wishes to commence or continue the diving operation and the person in charge of the craft or installation from which the diving operation is being conducted considers that the commencement or continuation of the diving operation would compromise the safety of a person on the craft or installation or the safety of the craft or installation, the decision of the person in charge of the craft or installation respecting the commencement or continuation of the diving operation shall overrule the supervisor's decision. (6) In the event of an accident, the supervisor of the diving operation shall (a) take the measures that are necessary to provide treatment to a person injured in the accident to ensure the safety of the persons involved in the diving operation; (b) interrupt the diving operation or a portion of the diving operation that may have caused or contributed to the accident until the diving operation or portion of the diving operation can be safely resumed; (c) deliver the diving operations logbook referred to in paragraph 9(5)(m) to the operator responsible for the diving operation as soon as possible after the accident; (d) keep the site of the accident undisturbed until a conservation engineer has completed inspection of the site;

(e) prepare a written report that contains a description of the accident, a summary of the events that led to the accident and the measures taken following the accident; and (f) deliver to the operator responsible for the diving operation the report referred to in paragraph (e). 243/88 s38 Back to Top Prohibitions on supervisor 39. (1) A supervisor shall not conduct a diving operation unless (a) before the commencement of a dive that is part of the diving operation the supervisor has consulted the person in charge of the craft or installation from which the diving operation will be conducted and another person whose assistance the supervisor considers necessary for the dive; (b) the supervisor has taken into account, in a decision respecting the diving operation, the meteorological data available to the supervisor and the environmental conditions in the area of the proposed dive site; (c) protective headgear is available for a diver involved in the diving operation at any time that the diver is at or below the surface of the water and, where practicable, at any time the diver is transported in a skip; (d) during a period of darkness or low visibility (i) a diver involved in the diving operation is provided with, and has attached to the diver's person, a lamp or other suitable device that indicates the diver's location, and (ii) where the nature of the diving operation permits, the dive site and the underwater work site of the diving operation is adequately illuminated; (e) a stand-by diver involved in the diving operation has an umbilical at least 3 metres longer than the umbilical of the diver for whom the stand-by diver acts as a stand-by; (f) the divers and pilots involved in the diving operation are protected from any danger or hazards that could be caused by (i) sonar, (ii) devices emitting electromagnetic or ionizing radiation, (iii) the propeller and the manoeuvring unit of a craft from which the diving operation is being conducted and the flows of water created by the propeller and the manoeuvring unit, (iv) the normal movements of a craft referred to in subparagraph (iii) and movements of the craft caused by unexpected loss of power or stability, (v) a suction or water current encountered in or resulting from the diving operation, and (vi) equipment on a craft or an installation from which the diving operation is being conducted; and (g) plans have been made, in the event a craft from which the diving operation is being conducted loses power, to protect and to recover a diver or pilot involved in the diving operation who is in the water. (2) A diving supervisor shall not permit a diver supervised by the supervisor to enter the water unless (a) the diver (i) is wearing a diving harness complete with a pelvic support and lifting ring and is equipped, where practicable, with a depth indicator capable of being monitored from the surface, and (ii) has a bale-out gas bottle that is independent of the primary supply of breathing mixture to the diver; and (b) all impressed current cathodic protection devices situated within a radius of 5 metres from the diver's underwater work site are deactivated and the notice referred to in subparagraph 6(1)(g)(ii) is prominently displayed on the controls of those devices, or other equally effective measures are taken to ensure the safety of a diver within a radius of 5 metres of active impressed current cathodic protection devices. 243/88 s39 Back to Top Restrictions respecting dive sites 40. (1) A diving supervisor shall not permit a diver supervised by the supervisor to make a dive that is part of a diving operation from (a) a place referred to in paragraph 6(1)(b) that is unsuitable; (b) a craft that has insufficient power or stability for the safe conduct of the dive; (c) a dive site located more than 2 metres above the water unless a suitable skip, diving bell or diving submersible is used to transport the diver through the air-water interface; (d) a dynamically positioned craft unless (i) the craft has been operating in the dynamically positioned mode for at least 30 minutes before the diver enters the water, (ii) the range of surge or sway movement of the water at the dive site is less than 80% of the maximum operational capacity limit of the craft, (iii) a skip or a diving bell is positioned as close as possible to the diver's underwater work site, (iv) all reasonable precautions are taken to prevent an umbilical used in the dive from coming into contact with a propeller or manoeuvring unit of the craft, (v) a change of heading or positioning of the craft, at any time a diver involved in the diving operation is in the water, is made only after the diving supervisor has granted permission for the change and the diver has been notified, and (vi) the craft complies with the requirements of section 25; and (e) a craft that is under way, except in the case of an emergency. (2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a craft that is operating in the dynamically positioned mode and that complies with the requirements of section 25 is not considered to be under way. (3) A supervisor shall not conduct a diving operation unless the person in charge of the craft or installation from which the diving operation is to be conducted has been notified of the proposed diving operation. 243/88 s40 Back to Top Restricted use of SCUBA 41. A diving supervisor shall not use or permit to be used SCUBA in a diving operation supervised by the supervisor except where another diving technique is impracticable or hazardous to use and unless (a) the operation is conducted in water that is less than 20 metres deep; (b) the diving operation can be completed without the need for decompression; (c) the diver using SCUBA is connected to a lifeline or, where the use of a lifeline is impracticable, (i) the diver is in contact, visually or orally, with another diver who is in the water, securely connected to a lifeline and assisted by an attendant at the dive site, or (ii) some other effective method of ensuring that diver's safety is provided; (d) there is a practical means of communication between the supervisor and the diver using SCUBA and there is a means of oral communication between the supervisor and other personnel involved in the diving operation; (e) the diving crew for the duration of the diving operation includes a minimum of one supervisor, one diver, one stand-by diver and as many attendants as the supervisor considers necessary to ensure the safety of the divers involved in the diving operation; and (f) all applicable provisions of these regulations are complied with. 243/88 s41 Back to Top Category I diving operations restrictions 42. A diving supervisor shall not conduct a category I diving operation, other than a diving operation in which SCUBA is used, unless (a) a suitable skip is used to transport the divers involved in the diving operation to an underwater work site that is 20 metres or more in depth and, where practicable, to an underwater work site that is less than 20 metres in depth; (b) an umbilical directly from the surface or via a skip is used to supply the appropriate breathing mixture to the divers involved in the dive that is part of the diving operation; (c) the supervisor is in oral communication with divers, stand-by divers and attendants involved in the diving operation at all times during the diving operation; (d) the supervisor has a means of monitoring the depth of each diver involved in the diving operation and the pressure of the breathing mixture being supplied to each diver and stand-by diver involved in the dive; (e) each diver involved in the dive is securely connected to a lifeline; and (f) the diving crew, for the duration of the diving operation, includes one diving supervisor, one diver and a minimum of (i) one stand-by diver equipped with an umbilical at least 3 metres longer than the umbilical of the diver for whom the stand-by diver acts as stand-by, (ii) one attendant at the dive site of the diving operation, and (iii) as many additional attendants as the supervisor considers necessary to ensure the safety of the divers involved in the diving operation. 243/88 s42 Back to Top Category II diving operations restrictions 43. A diving supervisor shall not conduct a category II diving operation unless (a) the requirements referred to in paragraphs 42(c) to (e) are complied with; (b) a diving bell or diving submersible is used for a descent or ascent of a diver to or from the underwater work site of the diving operation; (c) the diving supervisor has a means of monitoring the internal pressure of a diving bell or surface compression chamber or the compression chamber of a diving submersible used in the diving operation; and (d) the diving crew, for the duration of the diving operation, includes one diving supervisor and a minimum of (i) 2 divers who are in the diving bell or diving submersible used in the diving operation, one of whom is equipped with an umbilical at least 3 metres longer than the umbilical of the diver for whom the stand-by diver acts as stand-by, (ii) one additional stand-by diver and one attendant at the dive site of the diving operation, and (iii) as many additional attendants as the supervisor considers necessary to ensure the safety of the divers involved in the diving operation. 243/88 s43 Back to Top Category III diving operations restrictions 44. (1) A diving supervisor shall not, in a saturation dive supervised by the supervisor, permit the total dive time of a diver involved in the dive to exceed 31 days. (2) A diving supervisor shall not conduct a category III diving operation unless the diving crew, for the duration of the dive, includes the persons referred to in paragraph 43(d) and as many additional specialists and life-support technicians as the diving supervisor considers necessary to ensure the safety of the divers involved in the dive. 243/88 s44 Back to Top Diving supervisors restrictions 45. A diving supervisor shall not make a dive while supervising a diving operation, even in the case of an emergency. 243/88 s45 Back to Top Additional duties 46. (1) Where a skip, diving bell, diving submersible or ADS used in a diving operation is being lowered into or raised from the water, the supervisor of the diving operation shall ensure that the skip, diving bell, diving submersible or ADS is continuously within the supervisor's vision, either directly or by another means. (2) Where in a diving operation a diving bell is coupled with a surface compression chamber by means of a clamping mechanism, the supervisor of the diving operation shall permit only a person who is familiar with the operational procedures designed for the clamping mechanism to operate that clamping mechanism. (3) Where in a diving operation a person is transferred to or from a diving bell, the supervisor of the diving operation shall ensure that surface compression chambers used in the diving operation but not used in the transfer are, during the transfer, isolated from the surface compression chambers used in the transfer. (4) Where a diver involved in a diving operation exhibits unusual psychological or physiological symptoms or severe symptoms of decompression sickness, the diving supervisor of the diving operation shall advise the specialized diving doctor referred to in paragraph 4(3)(d) and the operator responsible for that diving operation of those symptoms and shall supervise a therapeutic recompression or decompression of the diver. (5) A diving supervisor shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure that, except in the event of the evacuation of a diver, during a diving operation supervised by the diving supervisor, (a) a diver involved in the diving operation who has completed a dive does not fly in an aircraft (i) for 12 hours following a non-decompression dive, (ii) for 24 hours following decompression, or (iii) for such longer period as the diving supervisor considers necessary to ensure that the diver does not suffer decompression sickness; and (b) a diver involved in the diving operation who has completed a saturation dive remains under observation in the general area of the decompression chamber for at least 24 hours after decompression or longer period that is sufficient in the opinion of the diving supervisor to ensure the well-being of the diver. (6) A diving supervisor shall take all reasonable precautions to ensure that, in the evacuation of a person during a diving operation supervised by the supervisor, a person involved in the diving operation who has completed decompression within the preceding 24 hours does not fly in an aircraft at an altitude greater than is operationally necessary in the circumstances. 243/88 s46 Back to Top Diving plant and equipment 47. (1) A supervisor shall not conduct a diving operation unless (a) the diving plant and equipment referred to in paragraph 9(5)(h) meets the relevant requirements of sections 12 to 21, is available for use when required and that diving plant and equipment, other than diving plant and equipment intended to be mobile during the diving operation, is, at all times during the diving operation, firmly secured to the craft or installation from which the diving operation is conducted; and (b) an electrically operated diving plant and equipment that is used in the diving operation is suitable for the location in which it is to be used and is protected from hazards caused by water and environmental conditions. (2) A supervisor shall not, in a diving operation supervised by the supervisor, use a diving plant and equipment in the diving operation unless (a) the appropriate examinations and tests referred to in subsection 11(1) have been carried out on the diving plant and equipment and the certificates related to those examinations and tests have been inserted into or attached to the register referred to in subsection 11(3); and (b) the supervisor has, not more than 24 hours before that use, (i) examined the diving plant and equipment in accordance with the relevant provisions of the applicable procedures manual and found it to be in good working order, and (ii) where appropriate, in addition to the examination referred to in subparagraph (i), tested for leaks a pump, compressor, cylinder or pipeline used in the diving operation to convey breathing mixture and found it free from leaks. (3) A diving supervisor shall not conduct a dive unless a two-compartment compression chamber (a) that has been approved in accordance with section 5 for the diving program of which the dive is a part, to be used at a pressure that is not less than 6 atmospheres absolute and, where the maximum working pressure that may be encountered during the dive is greater than 6 atmospheres absolute, at the maximum working pressure plus one atmosphere; and (b) that is suitable for the dive is located in a readily accessible place on board the craft or installation from which the dive is conducted, except where the dive is conducted at a depth of 10 metres or less, in which case the compression chamber may be located within one hour's travelling time from the dive site. 243/88 s47 Back to Top Requirements re supply systems 48. (1) A supervisor shall not conduct a diving operation in which (a) an oxygen supply system is used unless the oxygen supply system meets the requirements set out in section 19; (b) a breathing mixture supply system is used unless the breathing mixture supply system meets the requirements set out in sections 20 and 21; and (c) an analyzer is used to determine the relative levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide during a dive that is part of the diving operation unless the analyzer is recalibrated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for that analyzer before the dive. (2) Where an analyzer is used continuously in a diving operation to determine the relative levels of oxygen and carbon dioxide during a dive that is part of the diving operation, the supervisor of the dive shall ensure that the analyzer is recalibrated in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for that analyzer, where practicable, every 2 hours. (3) A diving supervisor shall not, in a diving operation supervised by the supervisor, use or permit to be used an on-line gas blender or a diver's gas recovery system in the diving operation unless throughout the period that the blender or the diver's gas recovery system is in use the requirements of section 21 are fulfilled. 243/88 s48 Back to Top Breathing mixture 49. (1) A supervisor shall not commence or continue a diving operation unless (a) the total quantity of appropriate breathing mixture that is available during the diving operation consists of the quantities set out in section 22; (b) the purity of the breathing mixture is of an acceptable standard; and (c) the quantities of breathing mixture referred to in subparagraphs 22(1)(a)(ii) and (iii) are available for immediate use at a flow rate, temperature and pressure that are safe for the user. (2) A supervisor shall not permit a diver supervised by the supervisor to make a dive unless (a) the total quantity of appropriate breathing mixture, including the reserve supply, (i) carried by the diver is sufficient to enable that diver to reach a skip, diving bell or diving submersible used in connection with the dive, a reserve supply referred to in subparagraph 22(1)(a)(ii) or the surface, and (ii) available to the diver's stand-by diver for immediate use consists of an adequate quantity to enable the stand-by diver to reach the diver and to enable the stand-by diver and the diver (A) to carry out appropriate decompression procedures and return to the surface, or (B) to return to the skip, diving bell or diving submersible used in connection with the dive and to carry out appropriate decompression procedures either in that skip, diving bell or diving submersible, or at the surface; and (b) the supervisor has analyzed the breathing mixture for the accuracy of its oxygen content immediately before the dive. (3) A supervisor shall not, in a diving operation supervised by the supervisor, use or permit to be used (a) compressed air as a breathing mixture at water depths greater that 50 metres or at pressures that are equivalent to the pressures of water depths greater than 50 metres except in the case of a category III dive; or (b) pure oxygen as a breathing mixture except for decompression or therapeutic purposes. (4) A supervisor shall protect a breathing mixture to be used in a diving operation supervised by the supervisor from any likelihood of contamination. (5) Where a diving supervisor becomes aware of oil or other contaminant in waters in which a diving operation supervised by the supervisor is being conducted, that supervisor shall take all necessary steps to avoid contamination of a diver in the water and of the ambient atmosphere in a compression chamber used in the diving operation. 243/88 s49 Back to Top Diving operations logbooks 50. (1) A supervisor shall enter in the diving operations logbook referred to in paragraph 9(5)(m), for each diving operation or portion of a diving operation supervised by the supervisor, (a) the date and the time the diving operation was commenced and terminated including a time during which the diving operation was interrupted, or the date and the time at which that supervisor began the supervision and the time at which that supervision ended; (b) the name of the diving contractor who conducted the diving operation; (c) the name of the operator or the operator's representative responsible for the diving operation; (d) the name or other designation and the location of the craft or installation from which, or other dive site at which, the diving operation was conducted; (e) the identification number of a dive supervised during the diving operation or during the period of supervision referred to in paragraph (a); (f) the name of the supervisor, the names of all other persons involved in the diving operation including those who operated a diving plant and equipment used in the diving operation, the names of the persons consulted under paragraph 39(1)(a) and the names of other persons consulted in respect of the diving operation and the positions or titles of all the persons named; (g) the procedures followed during the diving operation; (h) the decompression table and the schedule in that decompression table that were used in the diving operation; (i) the time at which a diver involved in the diving operation and a skip, diving bell, diving submersible or ADS used in the diving operation left the surface and returned to the surface; (j) the maximum depth, bottom time, dive time and total dive time for each dive conducted during the period of supervision referred to in paragraph (a); (k) the type of diving plant and equipment and the type of breathing mixture used in the diving operation; (l) the type of discomfort, injury or illness, including decompression sickness, suffered by a person involved in the diving operation; (m) the particulars of environmental conditions that affected or might have affected the diving operation; and (n) another factor relevant to the safety or health of a person involved in the diving operation. (2) A supervisor shall, after completion of an entry in the diving operations logbook in accordance with subsection (1), immediately sign the entry and request the operator or the operator's representative responsible for the diving operation to countersign the entry as soon as possible. (3) A person shall not make an alteration to an entry in a diving operations logbook referred to in subsection (1) unless the alteration is initialled by the supervisor who made the entry and by the person who countersigned the entry. (4) [repealed by 15/97 s17] (5) At the time there is no space for further entries in a diving operations logbook for a diving operation, or at the time the diving operation is completed, whichever occurs first, the supervisor who made the last entry in the logbook shall deliver the logbook to the diving contractor who conducted the diving operation. (6) Notwithstanding subsection (5), in the event of an accident in connection with the diving operation, the supervisor on duty at the time of the accident shall deliver the logbook to the operator responsible for the diving operation as soon as possible after the accident. 243/88 s50; 15/97 s17 Back to Top Supervisor's logbooks 51. (1) A supervisor shall keep a logbook that is permanently bound, has numbered pages and contains the name and signature of the supervisor and a photograph that is a likeness of the supervisor. (2) A supervisor shall, as soon as possible after supervision of a dive or after a period of supervision of a portion of a dive, enter in the logbook referred to in subsection (1), for each dive or portion of a dive supervised by the supervisor, (a) the date of the dive; (b) the name of the diving contractor who conducted the dive; (c) the name of the operator or the operator's representative responsible for the diving operation; (d) the name or other designation and location of the craft or installation from which, or other dive site at which, the dive was conducted; (e) the dive identification number referred to in paragraph 50(1)(e); (f) the name of each diver or pilot supervised; (g) the maximum depth, bottom time and dive time of the dive; (h) the decompression table and the schedule in that decompression table that were used in the dive; (i) details of medical care or advice given and the type of therapeutic treatment used; (j) an emergency in connection with the dive; and (k) another factor relevant to the safety or health of a person involved in the dive. (3) A supervisor shall, after completion of an entry in the supervisor's logbook in accordance with subsection (2), immediately sign the entry and request the operator or the operator's representative responsible for the dive to countersign the entry as soon as possible. (4) A person shall not make an alteration to an entry in a supervisor's logbook referred in subsection (1) unless the alteration is initialled by the supervisor and by the person who countersigned the entry. (5) A supervisor shall produce, on request, the supervisor's logbook referred to in subsection (1) for inspection by (a) [repealed by 15/97 s18] (b) the diving doctor who examines the supervisor for the purposes of these regulations at the time of the examination. (6) A supervisor shall keep in the supervisor's logbook referred to in subsection (1) (a) the supervisor's diving supervisor's certificate or ADS supervisor's certificate; (b) the supervisor's written appointment as a supervisor under subsection 9(3); (c) certificates or other evidence of qualification in addition to those referred to in paragraph (a); and (d) certificates or other evidence of medical examination received from a diving doctor. (7) A supervisor shall retain the supervisor's personal logbook referred to in subsection (1) for a period of not less than 2 years after the day of the last entry made in it. 243/88 s18 Back to Top Keeping of records 52. (1) Where a person involved in a diving operation is in a compression chamber, the supervisor of the diving operation shall keep a record or ensure that a record is kept, at regular intervals of not more than 30 minutes, of the time and depth gauge readings and of the main components of the atmosphere in the compression chamber, including (a) the oxygen and carbon dioxide; and (b) the temperature and humidity. (2) The supervisor of a diving operation shall keep a record of (a) the results of analyses of a breathing mixture used; (b) a scheduled and unscheduled maintenance performed on a component of the diving plant and equipment used; and (c) the results of readings taken under subsection (1), and shall keep a copy of certifications and inspections carried out on the diving plant and equipment used. (3) On completion of a diving operation, the supervisor of the diving operation shall deliver the records and copies kept under subsection (2) to the diving contractor who conducted the diving operation. (4) The supervisor of a diving operation shall make a tape recording of all communications between the divers or the pilots involved in a dive that is part of the diving operation and the supervisor during the pre-dive system check and during the dive and shall retain the tape recording for a minimum of 48 hours after the completion of the diving operation. 243/88 s52 PART VI DIVERS Back to Top Category I dives 53. A person shall not make a category I dive in a diving operation unless the person (a) is 18 years of age or older; (b) has been certified to be medically fit to dive by a diving doctor who has (i) inspected the persons diver's logbook referred to in section 63, (ii) examined the person not more than 12 months before the period during which the diving operation is to be conducted, and (iii) recorded the results of the examination including, in the case of a person 35 years of age or older, the results of a stress ECG performance test on a treadmill or a bicycle, on a medical examination record in the form prescribed by the Chief Safety Officer to the Chief Safety Officer, and on a diver's medical certificate in the person's diver's logbook; (c) has delivered a copy of the diver's medical certificate referred to in paragraph (b) to the diving contractor who conducts the diving operation; (d) holds (i) a valid category I diving certificate issued under section 54 or 71, (ii) during the first year in which the person makes category I dives in a diving operation, a valid document that is (A) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience referred to in paragraph 54(1)(a), and (B) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, (iii) a valid category II diving certificate issued under section 56 or 71 or a valid document referred to in paragraph 55(1)(b), or (iv) a valid category III diving certificate issued under section 58 or 71 or a valid document referred to in paragraph 57(1)(b); and (e) has satisfied the supervisor of the diving operation that (i) the person is capable of using and has sufficient experience in the use of the type of diving plant and equipment and breathing mixture to be used in the diving operation and is familiar with the relevant provisions of the procedures manual referred to in paragraph 4(4)(a) and the contingency plan referred to in paragraph 4(4)(i) to be followed in the diving operation, and (ii) the person's involvement in the diving operation is in no way contrary to a restriction (A) inserted in that person's diving certificate or attached to that person's document referred to in paragraph (d) pursuant to section 59, or (B) inserted in that person's diver's medical certificate under section 60. 243/88 s53; 15/97 s19&35 Back to Top Category I diving certificates 54. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application, issue a category I diving certificate that is valid for one year to a person who has attained a standard of competence in category I diving that is acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer and who (a) holds a first aid certificate acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer and has (i) successfully completed, at a school, institution or company acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, training in the theoretical and practical aspects of diving appropriate to category I diving, including (A) the use of air as a breathing mixture, (B) surface-oriented diving techniques and operational procedures, (C) diving techniques and operational procedures for use with SCUBA, (D) the use and operation of a diving plant and equipment, including hand-held tools, (E) the use of communications systems, (F) the use of decompression tables, (G) emergency procedures, including hyperbaric first aid techniques and the operation of surface compression chambers, and (H) a thorough study of these regulations, and (ii) made at least 50 dives in various environmental conditions and locations and for various purposes with a bottom time totalling at least 50 hours, including (A) at least 40 dives to depths of up to 20 metres with a bottom time totalling at least 43 hours, of which at least 10 were dives to depths of between 15 metres and 20 metres with a bottom time totalling at least 7 hours, and (B) at least 10 dives to depths of between 20 metres and 50 metres with a bottom time totalling at least 7 hours, of which at least 3 hours were at depths of between 40 metres and 50 metres and at least one hour was at a depth of at least 50 metres; (b) held a category I diving certificate that was issued under this subsection but is no longer valid because it was not renewed under subsection (2) and who made at least 28 dives with a bottom time totalling at least 24 hours during the 12 months preceding the application; (c) until December 31, 1990, has satisfied the regulator that the person's training and experience are equivalent to the training and experience described in paragraph (a); or (d) holds a valid document referred to in paragraph 53(d). (2) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application by the holder of a category I diving certificate issued under subsection (1), renew the certificate for a period of one year where the holder of that certificate has made at least 24 category I dives with a bottom time totalling at least 20 hours during the 12 months preceding the application. 243/88 s54; 15/97 s20&35 ; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Category II dives 55. (1) A person shall not make a category II dive in a diving operation unless the person (a) meets the criteria set out in paragraphs 53(a) to (c) and (e); and (b) holds (i) a valid category II diving certificate issued under section 56 or 71, (ii) during the first year in which the person makes a category II dive in a diving operation, a valid document that is (A) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience referred to in paragraph 56(1)(a), and (B) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, or (iii) a valid category III diving certificate issued under section 58 or 71 or a valid document referred to in paragraph 57(1)(b). (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a diver who holds a category I diving certificate may make a category II dive for training purposes in a diving operation where (a) the diver is employed in a diving program on a full-time basis to make category I dives; (b) the dive is authorized as a training dive by the operator or the operator's representative responsible for the diving operation and the person in charge of the craft or installation from which the dive will be conducted; and (c) the diver makes the dive under the close supervision of a diver who holds a category II or category III diving certificate. 243/88 s55; 15/97 s21&35 Back to Top Category II diving certificates 56. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application, issue a category II diving certificate that is valid for one year to a person who has attained a standard of competence in category II diving that is acceptable to the regulator and who (a) has (i) successfully completed, at a school, institution or company acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, training in the theoretical and practical aspects of diving appropriate to category II diving, including (A) the use of mixed gas as a breathing mixture, (B) mixed gas diving techniques and operational procedures, (C) the use and operation of a diving plant and equipment, (D) a type of underwater work generally done by a diver, (E) the use of communications systems, (F) emergency procedures, including hyperbaric first aid techniques and the operation of compression chambers, and (G) a thorough study of these regulations, and (ii) been employed to make category I dives for at least the 12 months preceding the application and has made at least 60 dives in a diving bell or diving submersible with a bottom time totalling at least 20 hours, including at least 30 lock-out dives of which 4 were to a depth of more than 50 metres, 2 were to a depth of more than 80 metres and one was to a depth of 100 metres or more, with a bottom time totalling at least 30 minutes per lock-out dive; (b) held a category II diving certificate that was issued under this subsection but is no longer valid because it was not renewed under subsection (2) and who made at least 28 dives with a bottom time totalling at least 24 hours of which at least 10 dives were category II dives with a bottom time totalling at least 10 hours during the 12 months preceding the application; (c) until December 31, 1990, has satisfied the regulator that the person's training and experience are equivalent to the training and experience described in paragraph (a); or (d) holds a valid document referred to in paragraph 55(1)(b). (2) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application by the holder of a category II diving certificate issued under subsection (1), renew the certificate for a period of one year where the holder of that certificate has made at least 24 dives with a bottom time totalling at least 20 hours, including at least 8 category II dives with a bottom time totalling at least 8 hours during the 12 months preceding the application. 243/88 s56; 15/97 s22&35 ; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Category III dives 57. (1) A person shall not make a category III dive in a diving operation unless the person (a) meets the criteria set out in paragraphs 53(a) to (c) and (e); and (b) holds a valid category III diving certificate issued under section 58 or 71 or, during the first year in which the person makes a category III dive in a diving operation, a valid document that is (i) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience described in paragraph 58(1)(a), and (ii) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a diver who holds a category II diving certificate may make a category III dive for training purposes in a diving operation where (a) the diver is employed in a diving program on a full-time basis to make category II dives; (b) the dive is authorized as a training dive by the operator or the operator's representative responsible for the diving operation and the person in charge of the craft or installation from which the dive will be conducted; and (c) the diver makes the dive under the close supervision of a diver who holds a category III diving certificate. 243/88 s57; 15/97 s23&35 Back to Top Category III diving certificate 58. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application, issue a category III diving certificate that is valid for one year to a person who has attained a standard of competence in category III diving that is acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer and who (a) has (i) successfully completed at a school, institution or company acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer, training in the theoretical and practical aspects of diving appropriate to category III diving, including (A) at least one saturation dive to a depth of not less than 75 metres with at least 2 lock-out dives with a bottom time totalling at least 30 minutes per lock-out dive, (B) saturation diving techniques and operational procedures, (C) the use and operation of a diving plant and equipment, (D) a type of underwater work generally done by a diver, (E) emergency procedures relevant to saturation diving, including hyperbaric first aid techniques and the operation of compression chambers, and (F) a thorough study of these regulations, and (ii) been employed to make category II dives for at least the 2 years preceding the application and has made at least 24 category II dives; (b) held a category III diving certificate that was issued under this subsection but is no longer valid because it was not renewed under subsection (2) and who made at least 28 dives with a bottom time totalling at least 32 hours, including at least 10 category II dives with a bottom time totalling at least 10 hours and at least one saturation dive during the 12 months preceding the application; (c) until December 31, 1990, has satisfied the regulator that the person's training and experience are equivalent to the training and experience referred to in paragraph (a); or (d) holds a valid document referred to in paragraph 57(1)(b). (2) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application by the holder of a category III diving certificate issued under subsection (1), renew the certificate for a period of one year where the holder of that certificate has made at least 24 dives with a bottom time totalling at least 24 hours, including at least 8 category II dives from a diving bell or diving submersible with a bottom time totalling at least 8 hours and at least one saturation dive during the 12 months preceding the application. 243/88 s58; 15/97 s24&35 ; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Restrictions respecting diving certificates and documents 59. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may insert in a diving certificate issued under section 54, 56, 58 or 71, or attach to a document referred to in paragraph 53(d), 55(1)(b) or 57(1)(b), restrictions on diving by the holder of the certificate or document where the Chief Safety Officer considers those restrictions necessary for safety reasons. (2) Where the Chief Safety Officer inserts a restriction in a certificate or attaches a restriction to a document under subsection (1), the Chief Safety Officer shall give the holder of the certificate or document an opportunity to show cause why that restriction should not be so inserted or attached. 15/97 s25 Back to Top Restrictions respecting medical certificates 60. (1) A diving doctor who examines a diver for the purposes of paragraph 53(b) or section 71 may insert in the diver's medical certificate medical restrictions on diving by the holder of the medical certificate where the diving doctor considers those restrictions necessary for safety reasons. (2) Where a diving doctor inserts medical restrictions in a diver's medical certificate under subsection (1) or certifies in a medical certificate in a diver's logbook that the diver is medically unfit to dive, the Chief Safety Officer shall, on application by the diver within one month after the insertion or certification by the diving doctor, review that certificate and the diver's medical examination record related to that certificate with one or more specialized diving doctors. 243/88 s60; 15/97 s26 Back to Top Invalidation of diving certificates 61. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may invalidate a diving certificate issued under section 54, 56, 58 or 71 where, in the opinion of the Chief Safety Officer, the holder of the certificate has become incompetent or incapacitated. (2) Where the Chief Safety Officer proposes to invalidate a diving certificate under subsection (1), the Chief Safety Officer shall give the holder of the certificate at least 30 days' notice in writing setting out the reasons for the proposed invalidation and shall give the holder an opportunity to show cause why the certificate should not be invalidated. 15/97 s27 Back to Top Diver's duties 62. (1) A diver shall not make a dive in a diving operation unless (a) before the dive, the diver has (i) checked the diver's personal diving equipment and is satisfied that the equipment is in good working order, and (ii) reported to the supervisor of the diving operation remedies, treatments, pharmaceuticals, intoxicants or drugs taken by the diver within the 48 hours preceding the dive, an injury or illness experienced by that diver since the diver's most recent dive and restrictions imposed under section 60 by a diving doctor as a result of the diving doctor's examination of that diver after an injury or illness; (b) in the case of a diver who has experienced an injury or illness other than decompression sickness since the diver's most recent dive, the diver has received approval for further diving from a diving doctor or a hyperbaric first aid technician who consulted with a diving doctor concerning the injury or illness; (c) in the case of a diver who has experienced decompression sickness type I, at least 2 days have elapsed since the diver successfully completed recompression therapy; (d) in the case of a diver who has experienced decompression sickness type II, at least 5 days have elapsed since the diver successfully completed recompression therapy and the diver has received approval for further diving from a diving doctor; and (e) in the case of a diver who has experienced decompression sickness type I in 2 consecutive dives, the diver has received approval for further diving from a diving doctor. (2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a diver shall not make a saturation dive unless (a) in the case of a diver whose most recent dive was a saturation dive of 14 days' duration or less, at least 14 days have elapsed since the diver completed decompression; and (b) in the case of a diver whose most recent dive was a saturation dive of more than 14 days' duration, at least 28 days have elapsed since the diver completed decompression. (3) Where a diver who is employed in a diving operation believes he or she is unfit or unable to dive during that employment, the diver shall so inform the supervisor of the diving operation and shall give the reason for that belief. (4) Where a diver becomes aware of an oil or other contaminant in waters in which a diving operation is being conducted, the diver shall immediately inform the supervisor of the diving operation of the contaminant. 243/88 s62 Back to Top Diver's logbooks 63. (1) A diver shall keep a logbook that is permanently bound, has numbered pages and contains the name and signature of the diver and a photograph that is a likeness of the diver. (2) A diver shall, as soon as possible after making a dive, enter in the diver's logbook referred to in subsection (1), for each dive made by the diver, (a) the date of the dive; (b) the name of the diving contractor who conducted the dive; (c) the name of the operator or the operator's representative responsible for the dive; (d) the name or other designation and the location of the craft or installation from which, or other dive site at which, the dive was conducted; (e) the dive identification number referred to in paragraph 50(1)(e); (f) the name of the supervisor of the dive; (g) the maximum depth, the bottom time and the total dive time of the dive; (h) the decompression table and the schedule in that decompression table that were used in the dive; (i) the decompression procedures followed by the diver; (j) the type of personal diving equipment used by the diver; (k) an injury suffered by the diver during the dive; (l) the work performed by the diver; (m) a description of a discomfort or illness, including decompression sickness, suffered by the diver; and (n) another factor relevant to the safety or health of the diver. (3) A diver shall, after completion of an entry in the diver's logbook in accordance with subsection (2), immediately sign the entry and request the supervisor of the dive to countersign the entry as soon as possible. (4) A person shall not make an alteration to an entry in the diver's logbook referred to in subsection (1) unless the alteration is initialled by the diver and by the supervisor who countersigned the entry. (5) A diver shall produce, on request, the diver's logbook referred to in subsection (1) for inspection by (a) [repealed by 15/97 s28] (b) the diving doctor who examines the diver for the purposes of these regulations at the time of the examination. (6) A diver shall keep in the diver's logbook referred to in subsection (1) (a) the diver's diving certificate or equivalent document; (b) certificates or other evidence of qualification in addition to those referred to in paragraph (a); and (c) certificates or other evidence of medical examination received from a diving doctor. (7) A diver shall retain the diver's logbook referred to in subsection (1) for a period of not less than 2 years after the day of the last entry made in it. 243/88 s63; 15/97 s28 PART VII PILOTS Back to Top ADS dives 64. A person shall not pilot an ADS in a diving operation unless the person (a) is 18 years of age or older; (b) has been certified to be medically fit (i) to dive, in accordance with paragraph 53(b), or (ii) to pilot an ADS, by a medical doctor who has examined the person not more than 12 months before the date on which the diving operation is to be conducted and who has recorded the results of the examination on a medical examination record in the form prescribed by the Chief Safety Officer and on a pilot's medical certificate in that person's pilot's logbook referred to in section 69; (c) has delivered a copy of the medical certificate referred to in paragraph 53(b), or the medical certificate referred to in subparagraph (b)(ii), to the diving contractor who conducts the diving operation; (d) holds a valid pilot's certificate issued under section 65 or 71, or a valid document that is (i) issued on the basis of training and experience that is equivalent to the training and experience referred to in paragraph 65(1)(a), and (ii) acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer;

and (e) has satisfied the supervisor of the diving operation that (i) the person is capable of using, and has sufficient experience in the use of, the type of ADS associated equipment to be used in the diving operation and is familiar with the relevant provisions of the procedures manual referred to in paragraph 4(4)(a) and the contingency plan referred to in paragraph 4(4)(i) to be used in the diving operation, and (ii) the person's involvement in the diving operation is in no way contrary to a restriction (A) inserted in that person's pilot's certificate or attached to that person's document referred to in paragraph (d) pursuant to section 66, or (B) inserted in that person's pilot's medical certificate under section 60 or 67. 243/88 s64; 15/97 s29&35 Back to Top Pilot's certificate 65. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application, issue a pilot's certificate that is valid for one year to a person who has attained a standard of competence in the operation of an ADS that is acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer and who (a) has successfully completed at least 40 hours of technical training in the design, construction, use and maintenance of an ADS at a school, institution or company acceptable to the Chief Safety Officer and who has made at least 25 ADS dives under various conditions with a bottom time totalling at least 40 hours; (b) held a pilot's certificate that was issued under this subsection but is no longer valid because it was not renewed under subsection (2) and who has made at least 6 ADS dives with a bottom time totalling at least 20 hours to an average depth of at least 20 metres during the 12 months preceding the application; (c) until December 31, 1990, has satisfied the regulator that the person's training and experience are equivalent to the training and experience described in paragraph (a); or (d) holds a valid document referred to in paragraph 64(d). (2) The Chief Safety Officer may, on application by the holder of a pilot's certificate issued under subsection (1), renew the certificate for a period of one year where the holder of that certificate has made at least 4 ADS dives with a dive time totalling at least 16 hours during the 12 months preceding the application. 243/88 s65; 15/97 s30&35 ; 2025 c4 s256 Back to Top Restrictions re pilot's certificates and documents 66. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may insert in a pilot's certificate issued under section 65 or 71, or attach to a document referred to in paragraph 64(d), restrictions on the piloting of an ADS by the holder of the certificate or document where the Chief Safety Officer considers those restrictions necessary for safety reasons. (2) Where the Chief Safety Officer inserts a restriction in a certificate or attaches a restriction to a document under subsection (1), the Chief Safety Officer shall give the holder of the certificate or document an opportunity to show cause why that restriction should not be so inserted or attached. 15/97 s31 Back to Top Restrictions respecting medical certificates 67. (1) A medical doctor who examines a pilot for the purposes of subparagraph 64(b)(ii) or section 71 may insert in the pilot's medical certificate medical restrictions on the pilot where the doctor considers those restrictions necessary for safety reasons. (2) Where a medical doctor inserts medical restrictions in a pilot's medical certificate under subsection (1) or certifies in a medical certificate in a pilot's logbook that the pilot is medically unfit to pilot an ADS, the Chief Safety Officer shall, on application by the pilot within one month after the insertion or certification by the doctor, review the certificate and the pilot's medical examination record related to the certificate with one or more medical doctors. 243/88 s67; 15/97 s35 Back to Top Invalidation of pilot's certificates 68. (1) The Chief Safety Officer may invalidate a pilot's certificate issued under section 65 or 71 where, in the opinion of the Chief Safety Officer, the holder of the certificate has become incompetent or incapacitated. (2) Where the Chief Safety Officer proposes to invalidate a pilot's certificate under subsection (1), the Chief Safety Officer shall give the holder of the certificate at least 30 days' notice in writing setting out the reasons for the proposed invalidation and shall give the holder an opportunity to show cause why the certificate should not be invalidated. 15/97 s32 Back to Top Pilot's logbooks 69. (1) A pilot shall keep a logbook that is permanently bound, has numbered pages and contains the name and signature of the pilot and a photograph that is a likeness of the pilot. (2) A pilot shall, as soon as possible after making a dive, enter in the pilot's logbook referred to in subsection (1), for each dive made by the pilot, (a) the date of the dive; (b) the name of the diving contractor who conducted the dive; (c) the name of the operator or the operator's representative responsible for the dive; (d) the name or other designation and the location of the craft or installation from which, or other dive site at which, the dive was conducted; (e) the dive identification number referred to in paragraph 50(1)(e); (f) the name of the ADS supervisor who supervised the dive; (g) the maximum depth, the bottom time and the total dive time of the dive; (h) the work performed by the pilot; (i) a description of a discomfort, injury or illness suffered by the pilot; and (j) another factor relevant to the safety or health of the pilot. (3) A pilot shall, after completion of an entry in the pilot's logbook in accordance with subsection (2), immediately sign the entry and request the ADS supervisor who supervised the dive to countersign the entry as soon as possible. (4) A person shall not make an alteration to an entry in a pilot's logbook referred to in subsection (1) unless the alteration is initialled by the pilot and by the ADS supervisor who countersigned the entry. (5) A pilot shall produce, on request, the pilot's logbook referred to in subsection (1) for inspection by (a) [repealed by 15/97 s33] (b) the diving doctor or medical doctor who examines the pilot for the purposes of these regulations at the time of the examination. (6) A pilot shall keep in the pilot's logbook referred to in subsection (1) (a) the pilot's certificate or equivalent document; (b) certificates or other evidence of qualification in addition to those referred to in paragraph (a); and (c) certificates or other evidence of medical examination received from a diving doctor or medical doctor. (7) A pilot shall retain the pilot's logbook referred to in subsection (1) for a period of not less than 2 years after the day of the last entry made in it. 243/88 s69; 15/97 s33 PART VIII ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS Back to Top Persons who have first aid or medical training 70. (1) A specialized diving doctor who is involved in a diving operation shall not assume responsibility for an aspect of the diving operation other than the medical aspect. (2) A person who has first aid or medical training and who is employed in a diving operation shall report, without delay, to the supervisor of the diving operation any medical consultation the person had involving a diver or pilot employed in the diving operation and any medical advice or treatment the person provided to the diver or pilot. 243/88 s70 Back to Top Permanent certificates 71. (1) Where a person holds a certificate issued by the Chief Safety Officer under section 28, 30, 32, 43, 54, 56, 58 or 65 or holds a valid document that has been accepted by the Chief Safety Officer under paragraph 27(c), 29(c), 31(c) or 33(d), 34(1)(a), 53(d), 55(1)(b), 57(1)(b) or 64(d) and has held that certificate or document for at least 5 years, the Chief Safety Officer may, on application, issue the person a certificate for the same category as the certificate or document that is held, and that certificate shall be valid, subject to section 36, 61 or 68, as applicable, for as long as the person is certified to be medically fit in accordance with paragraph 27(b), 53(b) or 64(b), as applicable. (2) Where a person satisfies the Chief Safety Officer that, for at least the period of 5 years before the date of making an application under this subsection, the person would have qualified for a certificate under these regulations if the person had applied for one, the Chief Safety Officer may, on application, issue to the person a certificate for the same category as the certificate that the person would have qualified for, and that certificate shall be valid, subject to section 36, 61 or 68, as applicable, for as long as the person is certified to be medically fit in accordance with paragraph 27(b), 53(b) or 64(b), as applicable. 15/97 s34 Back to Top Offences 72. A contravention of section 6, 7, 9 to 27, 29, 31, 33, 37 to 53, 55, 57, 62 to 64, 69 or 70 is an offence under the Act. 243/88 s72 Back to Top Repeal 73. The Newfoundland Offshore Area Petroleum Diving Regulations, Newfoundland Regulation 243/88, are repealed. Back to Top Schedule A (Paragraph 4(4)(a)) Procedures Manual 1. The procedures manual for a diving program shall contain the standard operating procedures to be followed in a diving operation that will be part of the diving program and shall include (a) the procedures for consultations with the person in charge of a craft or installation from which the diving operation is conducted; (b) the procedures to be followed by each person involved in a dive that will be part of the diving program, including a diver, stand-by diver, pilot, attendant and supervisor; (c) for each depth and each type of dive, the procedures for (i) conducting the dive, taking into account (A) local meteorological and sea-state conditions, and (B) hazards such as strong currents, man-made structures and activities, other than diving, being conducted in the vicinity, (ii) the selection of the appropriate breathing mixture, decompression tables and treatment tables to be used in the dive, (iii) the use, inspection and maintenance of the diving plant and equipment, including communications and signalling equipment, to be used in the dive, (iv) the lowering and recovering of a diver and the launching and recovery of a skip, diving bell, diving submersible or ADS to be used in the dive, (v) the completion of the diving operations logbook referred to in paragraph 9(5)(m) and subsection 50(1), including sample entries, and (vi) the making of a decision to commence, continue, interrupt or discontinue the dive, including conditions to be taken into account in the determination; and (d) a sample of the pre-dive checklist to be followed. 243/88 Sch I Back to Top Schedule B (Paragraph 4(4)(i)) Emergency Procedures 1. (1) The contingency plan for a diving program shall contain the emergency procedures to be followed, where circumstances that are likely to endanger a diver or pilot make it impossible and unsafe to follow the procedures contained in the procedures manual for the diving program, such as (a) deteriorating environmental conditions; (b) unexpected weather or sea-state conditions; (c) inability of a craft to maintain itself at the location of the dive site; (d) evacuation of a craft or installation; (e) evacuation of divers under pressures greater than atmospheric pressure; (f) in-water emergency transfers; (g) failure of a major component of diving plant or equipment; and (h) fouling of equipment below the surface that impairs the ability of a diver or pilot to complete a dive. (2) The emergency procedures referred to in subsection (1) shall include procedures for (a) emergency signalling between divers involved in the diving program and between the divers and their attendants using umbilicals or other suitable methods; (b) the provision of stand?by divers; (c) the provision of crafts, stand-by boats and other devices to be used for rescue; (d) the provision of first aid treatment and therapeutic decompression; (e) the use of the evacuation, rescue and treatment facilities and devices referred to in section 23 to be used in the diving program; (f) contacting the evacuation, rescue and treatment facilities referred to in section 23 and the medical services referred to in paragraphs 24(b) and (d) that will be used in the diving program; (g) the operation of the emergency power supply; (h) the evacuation of a craft or installation used in the diving program; (i) the evacuation of divers under pressures greater than atmospheric pressure; and (j) in-water emergency transfers. 243/88 Sch II