BSEE Dive Team
June 21, 2012
Three members of the BSEE Scientific Dive Team completed their annual certifications, in addition to earning additional specialized proficiency certifications, this past month in preparation for future BSEE underwater diving operations, reported Dive Team Leader Chris Horrell. His role as Dive Team Leader compliments his position as a Marine Archeologist with the Environmental Enforcement Division. Like the other dive team members, the ability to operate underwater enhances Horrell's contribution to the BSEE mission.
For this year’s dive proficiency and certifications, the team dived on the sunken aircraft carrier USS Oriskany, the battleship USS Massachusetts, the Russian Freighter, and the Three Barges, all off the Florida coast. They also conducted diver rescue drills and limited visibility and entanglement drills to keep their skills high during underwater operations. Divers from the Bureau of Ocean and Energy Management (BOEM) also participated in certification dives with the BSEE team.
In addition to training and certifications, the dives allowed team members to test their equipment and communication procedures. BSEE’s Scientific Dive Team works with the Environmental Enforcement Division, enabling undersea activities that include site investigations, verifications, natural and cultural resource damage assessments, mitigation effectiveness and assessments, determinations of criminal intent, documenting and issuing Incidents of Non-Compliance, value and cost determinations, identification and documentation of resource elements, historic research and background documentation. Dive Team members also work in concert with BOEM and other Federal Dive Teams in an effort to facilitate inter-agency cooperation as well as engaging in further training to enhance the Dive Team’s capabilities.
The BSEE Scientific Dive Team consists of Chris Horrell, Herb Leedy and Charles Barbee; the BOEM dive team consists of Doug Jones, Greg Kozlowski, James Sinclair, Scott Sorset and Melanie Damour.
BSEE Scientific Dive Team member Charles Barbee conducts a practice dive at the site of USS Oriskany off the coast of Florida.