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. Diver certifications will be suspended when a physical has expired or when diving activity has lapsed for a period greater than six months. Forms and information for the processing of physicals may be found at the UDS website at http://www.ndc.noaa.gov/uds/.

In order to keep the SEP program running safely and efficiently Diving Supervisors must ensure that inactive/terminated divers 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. The half way point (6 months into FY 2000) has been reached for the FY 2001 assessment. Units will now be charged a full year for the unauthorized diver(s). If divers are no longer listed or have recently transitioned to inactive or terminated status, all gear must be returned to NDC, along with a thorough inventory comparison. Divers requesting equipment must submit requests through their respective UDS and LODO. Policy, procedures and forms are available at the UDS website. If there are any questions, contact NDC.

To remain active, regulations require maintenance of diving proficiency of a minimum of two dives every six weeks. Minimum proficiency is a requirement designed to maintain program diving safety. Review of the roster indicates that a number of divers diving activity has lapsed. Dive logs are to be submitted for each month, whether or not dives were performed. Divers who have not dove since October 1999 will be reviewed for certification suspension. Suspended divers may be required to attend formal Refresher Training.

The next NOAA Working Diver Training will be held in May. NOAA Units and vessels must have already enrolled candidates, for the May training, prior to March 17th. Remaining slots have been given to non-NOAA candidates. Interest in the classes has increased and is competitive. When candidates are enrolled, units must act to ensure NDC promptly receives required materials. Failure to properly submit required information in a timely manner may result in loss of the reserved class slot. The following training classes are scheduled through May 2001:

For more information contact Laurie Barber at (206) 526-6695 or at laurie.barber@noaa.gov.