As the fiscal year comes to an end, it is time to review your unit’s activities and determine future needs. Annual unit operation reports and SEP assessment information are required in October. Scheduled winter training classes are filling up, so please address your general and special training needs. Enclosed with your roster is the NDP Annual Report Information Form. Please fill out the form and forward it to your LODO within two weeks of the end of the fiscal year. Your prompt attention to these items will provide NDC with accurate and timely information for upcoming reports and training programs.

This month’s TOPSIDE contains the third installment of the Monitor Expedition post mission report, which discusses the operations plan.

We are finalizing the UDS handbook and hope to begin meetings in December. We will keep you informed of dates and locations.

-LCDR  Frank Wood -

Please review the enclosed roster which reflects the records at NDC for the date of print. Inactive/terminated divers are to return SEP equipment or resolve their status to active as soon as possible. Units will be assessed SEP charges for inactive divers who are in possession of gear. Please annotate and return a copy of the roster indicating any changes to personnel or diver status. Diver certifications will be suspended when a physical has expired or when diving activity has lapsed for six months.

Initial Sep assessment letters will be mailed to all units on October 16th. The assessment is done in arrears and is based on information taken from the NDP data base on diver status and activity. The assessment letters will list all divers that were active at your unit over the past fiscal year. Once you received your assessment, please review it carefully and contact NDC as soon as possible to discuss and resolve any discrepancies. Please direct all questions to LCDR Frank Wood at (206) 526-6460.

The next Working Diver class is scheduled for January of 1999. Please contact NDC if you have any candidates for this training. Individuals who are returning to active diving status and have not dove for more than six months, must attend a refresher class. The following training classes are scheduled through May 1999:

Please contact Laurie Barber at (206) 526-6695 for course information and scheduling.