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TEMPORARY AUTHORIZATION TO DIVE (TAD) - Temporary diving authorization may be granted to NOAA and Non-NOAA personnel at various levels. Individuals must meet established standards for certification requested. The duration of the certification will be six months.

RECIPROCITY - The board approve blanket reciprocity with the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS) chartered organizations. AAUS currently has 50 subscribers, the majority being Colleges and Universities throughout the country. Reciprocity is only granted at the new NOAA Scientific Diver level, which limits these individuals to scientific diving as outlined in the OSHA Commercial Diving Regulations. Specific instructions and procedures will be issued to units in January 1998.

DIVING PHYSICAL FREQUENCY - The Safety Board submitted a request to the NOAA Diving Medical Review Board (NDMRB) to examine the requirement for annual physicals. The safety board was informed that other government agencies (Navy, EPA, Army, etc.) do not require annual diving physicals. The NDMRB is reviewing the request and will notify the Director NDP of their decision.

NAO 209-123 REVIEW - The diving regulations were reviewed completely and several revisions were made. New certification levels and training policy were added. The Diving Safety Rules were also reviewed and updated. Once approved, we hope to issue the new regulations sometime in 1998.

OPERATIONAL ISSUES - Several operation issues were discussed and reviewed. The primary subjects pertained to the upcoming MONITOR diving project, a deep diving project with NMFS in Hawaii, and a mechanical and operational review of the AQUARIUS habitat which has been re-deployed in the Florida Keys.

Detailed minutes will be mailed to all units in January.

The January Working Diver course in Key West is closed. The next Working Diver class is scheduled for May of 1998. Please contact NDC if you have any candidates for this training. There is one scheduled refresher training class in February. Individuals who are returning to active diving status and have not dove for more than one year, must attend a refresher class. If you would like a refresher class in your area, contact NDC for avalibility. The following training classes are scheduled through May 1998:

If you are interested in any of the above listed training, contact Laurie Barber at (206) 526-6695, or leave us a message.

The above photo was taken at the conclusion of the Diver Medic course, held at NDC December 15-19. Course participants included NOAA employees, U.S. Navy, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, local Sheriff and Fire department personnel and a commercial diver.