Please review the enclosed roster which reflects the records at NDC for the date of print. If there have been any changes to personnel certifications or diver status, annotate and return a copy of the roster indicating the changes. Attention is required on physicals and related tests indicated as lapsed. Note that divers reaching the age of 35 are required to have a physical every two years until age 50. At age 50, the requirement changes to annually. Prior to age 35, physicals are required every three years. Audiograms are required, as a minimum, every five years. EKG frequency follows that of the physical requirements. Forms and information for the processing of physicals may be found at the UDS website at http://www.ndc.noaa.gov/uds/.

Equipment and annual service issue will be scrutinized and delayed if lapses are found in physicals and diving activity. Diver’s without a current physical will not be sent annual replacements until their physical is brought up to date as indicated on the Unit Roster.

Mishandling of the power inflator units on the Seaquest Spectrum BC’s is resulting in a large number being returned for replacement. Damage to these units is being caused by improper handling of the equipment by the diver. SEP gear provided is to be properly handled and stowed to minimize the potential for damage and maximize safety.

The SEP program is slowly phasing out the Uni-drysuit. Certain Uni sizes, however, have an ample inventory supply that must be exhausted before divers will receive the new ABYSS suits. The SEP inventory determines which drysuit will be issued. With limited funding, phasing in a new suit inventory will occur over the next few years.

To remain active, regulations require maintenance of diving proficiency of a minimum of one dive every six weeks. Until electronic submission of logs is devised, a snail mailed or faxed copy of the monthly diving log is required by the fifth of the month for the proceeding month. Review of the roster indicates that a number of divers have allowed their diving activity to lapse either because dive logs have not been submitted for each month or proficiency is not being maintained. Supervisors should evaluate and correct this issue.

The deadline for enrolling candidates for the next Working Diver class is August 1, 2000. In order to maintain a reserved slot, units must ensure that NDC promptly receives required materials for enrolled candidates. Failure to submit required information in a timely manner may result in loss of the reserved slot. The following training classes are scheduled through September 2001:

For more information contact Laurie Barber at (206) 526-6695 or at laurie.barber@noaa.gov. Please note that the training dates for FY 2001 are tentative and are provided to assist advanced planning.