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Table of contents

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.