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Gard Guidance Masters

2.8.5.4 OVERSIDE AND UNDERWATER WORK – DIVER’S WORK

A. Overside work
Overside work should only be carried out

based on a permit-to-work procedure

subject to a special procedure contained in the Company’s SMS

whilst the vessel is in port or at anchor

supervised by a competent person on board.

The persons working overside should

always wear a safety harness

be firmly connected to fixed vessel appliances on deck

have access to a lifebuoy with a line ready for use.

Communication with a responsible officer must be maintained to enable the man-overboard exercise to be put into action should the person working outboard fall into the water.

If overside works have to be undertaken whilst the vessel is underway, such works should be carried out in accordance with the Critical Shipboard Operation Procedure in the SMS.

Utmost care and attention is required during such operations and should only be permitted

in exceptional cases

where the safety of the vessel, the crew or the cargo is at risk.

B. Underwater work – diver’s work
Outboard underwater work by divers is highly dangerous and there have been fatal accidents involving divers. The following precautions need to be taken

underwater work should be subject to a permit-to-work procedure

subject to a special procedure in the Company’s SMS

only professional divers should be contracted

underwater work must be carefully planned involving all officers on deck and in the engine rooms

propellers and thrusters must be turned off

protection shields must be in place

warning signs must to be displayed outboard, on control levers for propeller and thrusters, the central electrical switchboard in the engine room and other prominent places

communication needs to be established between the divers and the attending officer.

2.8.5.4 Overside and underwater works - divers work