A website designed especially for the NOAA UDS is now available on the internet at http://www.ndc.noaa.gov/uds. This online UDS Handbook is designed to provide current policy, certification and medical guidelines, regulations, forms and reports in a format readily accessible to NOAA Diving supervisors in the field. Forms found on the site will be printable once the free ADOBE reader software is installed on your PC’s. The intent of this on-line handbook is to improve access to essential information resources. Please take the opportunity to surf through the site, investigate the contents and provide me with your feedback to improve the site. email: mike.hoshlyk@noaa.gov

Please review the enclosed roster which reflects the records at NDC for the date of print. In order to keep the program running safely and efficiently inactive/terminated divers are to return SEP equipment or resolve their status to active as soon as possible. Units are assessed SEP charges for inactive divers who remain in possession of gear. Note that FY 2000 SEP assessments are currently being compiled and that units not wishing to be assessed for inactive divers in the FY 2001 assessment should return all SEP issues. If there have been any changes to personnel certifications or diver status, annotate and return a copy of the roster indicating the changes. If divers are no longer listed or have recently gone inactive, please return their gear to NDC. Divers requesting equipment must submit requests through their respective UDS and LODO. Diver certifications will be suspended when a physical has expired or when diving activity has lapsed for a period greater than six months.

NDC knows that a number of regulators are overdue and we are working to get replacements out into the field. Because of database issues, some personnel may be issued regulators whose maintenance date is not currently listed on the roster. If that is the case, please inform NDC so that this may be corrected. If you have received a replacement, return overdue units without delay. Hording is disruptive to the system.

The next Working Diver class is scheduled for January 2000 in Key West. Interested NOAA Units must have enrolled candidates, for this training, prior to December 7th deadline. The next scheduled Working Diver Refresher (subject to change) is Mar 13-17, 2000. Individuals who are considering returning to active diving status and have not dove for more than one year, must complete a refresher class. The following training classes are scheduled through May 2000:

For more information contact Laurie Barber at (206) 526-6695 or at laurie.barber@noaa.gov. Note that the training dates for FY 2000 are tentative, and are provided to assist advanced planning. New course fees have also been set for NON-NOAA personnel taking NDC training.