Environmental Protection Agency
National Dive Safety Program
2017 Annual Report
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January 31, 2018
Executive Summary
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) conducts a wide range of diving
activities for regional and national programs. Diving is conducted in rivers, lakes, harbors,
and the open ocean to support monitoring, research, and Superfund site investigations. The
EPA administers diving activities under guidelines established through the EPA Diving
Safety Management Program, and in compliance with the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration (OSHA) regulations. This report has been developed in response to the
requirements of EPA's Diving Safety Policy.
The EPA's National Diving Safety Program conducted 1,145 scientific, training and
proficiency dives in FY2017, involving nine EPA dive units and 64 divers. This report
describes how the program is administered nationally, and what activities each EPA dive
unit undertakes.
Questions regarding this report or about the EPA Diving Safety Program should be directed
to: Alan Humphrey, Chairman, USEPA Diving Safety Program, Humphrey.alan@epa.gov
Alan Humphrey, Chairman
EPA Diving Safety Program
Phone: (609) 865-4546
E-mail: Humphrey.alan@epa.gov
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Introduction
This report is provided to the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safety and
Sustainability Division (formerly SHMED) in accordance with EPA's Dive Safety Policy. This
policy and EPA's Diving Safety Manual (April, 2016 Version 1.3) can be viewed online at:
https://www.epa.gov/divirig/epas-divirig-safetY-prograiTi.
This report is a summary of the EPA's National Diving Safety Program (NDSP) activities
from October 1, 2016, through September 30, 2017. The annual reports from EPA Unit Dive
Officers (UDOs) serve as the basis for the information contained in this report. Each UDO's
Annual Report is available upon request.
Overview
The EPA's NDSP conducted 1,145 scientific, training and proficiency dives in FY 2016
(Figures 1 and 2), involving nine EPA dive units, and a total of 64 divers (Figure 3). These dives
were conducted in a variety of water bodies that include lakes, rivers, harbors, and the open
ocean. The population of qualified EPA divers fluctuates annually. Qualification is based on
medical compliance, diving proficiency, and other regulatory requirements. No serious injuries
or accidents were reported by the dive units for the FY2017 operational year.
EPA's NDSP represents nine regional dive units, each under the supervision of a UDO
(Figure 3). The dive units are located in:
(1) Region 1- Headquarters Boston, MA, and the Narragansett, RI Lab (Rl)
(2) Environmental Response Team - Edison, NJ (ERT and R2)
(3) Region 3 Headquarters - Philadelphia, PA (R3)
(4) Region 4 - Headquarters, Atlanta, GA (ATL)
(5) Region 4 - Athens Lab, Athens, GA (ATH)
(6) Gulf Ecology Division - Gulf Breeze, FL. (GED)
(7) Region 6 - Headquarters Dallas, TX (R6)
(8) Region 10 Headquarters - Seattle, WA. (R10)
(9) Western Ecology Division, Newport, OR (WED)
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Figure 1. Number of Dives by EPA Diving Unit for FY 2017
250
219
216
200
179
150
119
100
75
61
50
195
39
42
R1 ERT R3
R4ATH R4ATL R4 GED R6
Dive Unit
RIO RIO WED
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Figure 2. Type of Dives by EPA Diving Unit for FY 2017
160
~ Scientific
140
120
100
a>
E
3
80
65
60
40
20
132
97
70
5 5
12
46
41
46
15
144
103
10
48
24
95
82
20
1.2
10
~ Training
"J Proficiency
42
0 0
R1 ERT R3 R4ATH R4ATL R4 GED R6 RIO
RIO
WED
Dive Unit
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Figure 3. Number of Divers by EPA Diving Unit for FY 2017
R1 ERT R3 R4ATH R4 ATL R4 GED R6 RIO
Dive Unit
RIO WED
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US EPA
New England Dive
Unit
ANNUAL REPORT
October 1, 2016 - September 30, 2017 (FY-17)
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The US EPA's New England Dive Unit is comprised of divers from the Atlantic Ecology Division
(AED) Laboratory in Narragansett, Rl, and the Region 1 Office in Boston, MA. The following is a
summary of dive operations and training in FY-17.
A: DIVING ACTIVITIES
In FY17, the New England Dive Unit focused primarily on supporting ongoing
research related to understanding and quantifying carbon sequestration in
sediments within seagrass meadows. Other work supported efforts to establish
new seagrass habitat or restore historic sites, study the efficacy of various
transplanting methods, and to inspect seagrass habitat for impacts related to
beach nourishment activities and low-impact mooring systems.
1. Diving Operations and Locations
October 2016 - Recovered temperature monitor (Hobo) in Nahant, MA in
support of Blue Carbon Study. Pollutant exposure: none expected.
Assisted MA Division of Marine Fisheries in collecting data in Beverly, MA for
Seagrass Net. Dives were conducted jointly with MA Division of Marine Fisheries
under EPA's existing reciprocity agreement. Pollutant exposure: none expected.
May 2017 - Conducted requalifying dives, diver fitness assessments, and dive
accident scenario in Nahant, MA following the suspension of diving activities
during the months of December through April. Pollutant exposure: none
expected.
Harvested 1,700 eelgrass
plants from donor beds for a
transplanting pilot project
that is part of a Superfund
mitigation effort with the US
Navy, in Newport, Rl.
Pollutant exposure: none
expected.
June 2017 - Deployed and
recovered sediment traps and
Hobos, collected sediment
cores, eelgrass, and
measured shoot density and
growth data at study areas in
Narragansett Bay (Rl), Boston
Harbor (MA) and Portland
Harbor (ME) in support of a Blue Carbon RARE Grant study. Pollutant exposure:
none expected,
July 2017 - Deployed and recovered sediment traps and Hobos, and collected
sediment cores, eelgrass, and shoot density and growth data at study areas in
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Nahant (MA) in support of Blue Carbon RARE Grant study. Pollutant exposure:
none expected.
Assisted MA Division of Marine Fisheries with assessment of habitat recovery
associated with low-impact mooring installations in Boston Harbor, and searched
for missing sediment traps off Logan Airport. Pollutant exposure: none
expected.
August 2017 - Collected sediment cores, and recovered sediment traps and
Hobos at all study locations visited in July. Pollutant exposure: none expected.
September 2017 - Assisted MA Division of Marine Fisheries with eelgrass
transplanting experiments in Marblehead, Beverly and Gloucester Harbors (MA)
under EPA's existing reciprocity agreement. Pollutant exposure: none expected.
Conducted eelgrass bed delineation and impact assessment in Sandwich, MA
(Cape Cod Bay). This bed is in close proximity to an ongoing beach nourishment
project. Pollutant exposure: none expected.
2. Diving Statistics
Number of Dives Number of Exposure Days
Work: 65 Work: 40
Training: 5 Training: 5
Proficiency/off duty: 5 Proficiency/off duty: _4
Total: 75 49
B. DIVING ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, OR INCIDENTS
None reported.
Unfortunately, this victim didn't make it.
far.
Unconscious diver recovery scenario.
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C. DIVE TRAINING
1. Training Received in FY17: Region 1
CPR/AED*, Neuro* 5 divers
First Aid* 5 divers
Emergency 02 Administration* 5 divers
Nitrox 0 divers
EPA Divemaster training 0 divers
Advanced Operations 0 divers
AED
0 divers
0 divers
0 divers
0 divers
0 divers
0 divers
2. Training Needed in FY18
CPR/AED 0 divers
First Aid 0 divers
Emergency 02 Administration 0 divers
Nitrox 0 divers
Scientific Diver 1 diver
Advanced Operations 1 diver
0 divers
0 divers
0 divers
0 divers
0 divers
0 divers
* All covered in DAN's Diving First Aid for Professional Divers (DFA Pro) course.
Eric completed NAUI Divemaster training, and DAN instructor training for
courses in First Aid, CPR, AED, Neuro, Emergency 02, and Marine Life Injuries,
and was then able to teach Unit divers DAN's DFA Pro course. This saved the
agency $1,250, which was the cost previously incurred for the same training
through a commercial vendor.
D. DIVE EQUIPMENT
1. Same as last year? No (Region 1) Yes (AED)
2. New: Wet suits (2), weight harnesses (3),
Suunto dive computers (5), fins (4 prs),
Guardian full face masks (5), Scubapro
regulator with gage console (1), steel tanks (2),
Scubapro Glide BCV (1), boots (2 pr), knives (3),
gloves (2 pr), hood (1), Jumbo D oxygen cylinder
and response bag (1), and surface marker buoys (5).
3. Equipment problems: None
4. Equipment needed: Dry suit, rock boots, and
undergarment (1 set).
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E. REVIEW OF UNIT DIVING PERSONNEL
Diver
Region 1: 1. Dan Arsenault*
2. Jean Brochi
3. Phil Colarusso
4. Eric Nelson
5. Chuck Protzmann**
EPA Certification
Scientific Diver
Divemaster
Alternate UDO, Divemaster
Unit Dive Officer, Divemaster
Divemaster
AED: 1. Barbara Bergen*** Scientific Diver
2. Marty Chintala*** Alternate UDO, Divemaster
3. David Katz*** Scientific Diver
Notes:
* Dan decided to discontinue serving as a diver in June 2017 based on advice
from his physician regarding a newly discovered medical condition.
**Chuck completed his 100th operational EPA dive, fulfilling his final requirement
for Divemaster certification.
*** All three AED divers are currently in inactive status
F. TIME SPENT ON THE NATIONAL DIVE PROGRAM
1. Time expenditures Hours
Assistance with Diver Training Course 0
Review of documents 8
Performing action items 0
Preparation for and attendance at meetings 16
Technical assistance to other units 0
Annual meetings 6
30
2. Fiscal (monetary) Expenditures Costs
Equipment maintenance and repair $ 925
New equipment $9,158
Supplies (including project, training, first aid, $ 907
02 fill, and air fill cards) $10,990
Cost of Travel Spent on National Program
Did not travel in FY2017 $0
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G. NOTEWORTHY ITEMS
We lost from our roster an extremely skilled and capable diver this year (Dan
Arsenault) whose eagerness to dive under any and all conditions we will miss. In
order to maintain our Region 1 Team roster at five divers, we have selected a
new candidate to send to dive training in Gulf Breeze if it is held in 2018.
The AED laboratory's dive team, which is comprised of three divers, has been
placed in an inactive status since FY15 due to a continued lack of dive-required
work and no expressed needs in the foreseeable future.
Region 1 again renewed its diving reciprocity agreement with Massachusetts Division of Marine
Fisheries (MA DMF). This agreement allowed for two days (five dives) of joint operations in
2017. Region 1 expects additional diving opportunities with MA DMF on projects of mutual
interest to our agencies in 2018,
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ANNUAL REPORT OF DIVE TRAINING AND OPERATIONS
Diving Unit: Environmental Response Dive Team
Office of Land and Emergency Management
Edison, New Jersey
October 1, 2016 - September 30, 2017 (FY17)
A. DIVING ACTIVITIES
The Environmental Response Dive Team (ERDT) conducted scientific dives at EPA projects across the
country during the Fiscal Year 2017. For the year, the ERDT conducted 70 scientific dives, 12 training
dives, and 97 proficiency dives, for a total of 179 dives and 81 exposure days.
Diving Operations
Scientific Diver Survey, Sandy Hook, NJ, Historic Area Remediation Site, October, 2016
In 1997, the Mud Dump Site (MDS) was designated as a dredged material disposal site, and the MDS and
surrounding contaminated areas were designated the Historic Area Remediation Site (HARS). The
HARS was designated for placement of dredged material determined to be suitable for use as
Remediation Material to improve benthic conditions. The HARS, which is 15.7 nmi2 in area is located in
the New York Bight Apex, approximately 3.5 nautical miles (nmi) east of Highlands New Jersey and 7.7
nmi south of Rockaway, New York. Since the 1800s, this area has been used for disposal of dredged
material and a variety of other waste products including municipal garbage, building materials, sewage
sludge and industrial waste. The diver surveys were done on those areas capped with rock and glacial
materials to help determine if the capped areas are supporting recovery of the epifaunal community.
This year (Sept-Oct 2016) ERT divers conducted photography at over 15 locations to document
conditions on the capped areas. At five stations along a 25 meter transect scientific divers set out a 1
square meter quadrat and took a series of photos within the quadrat using a raw photo setting. About 360
photos were analyzed to determine measurements of percent cover, with the general taxonomic category
(e.g., sponges, barnacles, anemones). Diving was conducted in buddy SCUBA mode, at depths of 55-85
feet, with visibility ranging from 2-10 feet.
Racer Trust, Massena, NY, Superfund NPL, Cap Inspection and Biota Inspection, June and
September, 2017
The former GM Massena Powertrain Plant, now known as Racer Trust, was an industrial and
manufacturing site from the late 1950s until GM ended operations in May 2009. During its die casting
process, GM used hydraulic fluids containing poly-chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). After eight separate
dredging attempts, the concentration of PCBs in an area referred to as Quadrant 3 and located directly
north of facility outfall, remained an order of magnitude greater than the other dredged areas. In 1995,
the cap, about 1.75 acres in size, or about 300 x 250 feet, was installed. The cap is 12-24 inches thick,
with sand/carbon, gravel, and rock layers on top. The cap is situated on a shelf in the river bed adjacent to
the St. Lawrence Seaway navigation channel and has a maximum depth of approximately 20-25 feet.
In 2016, fish tissue samples collected in the vicinity of the cap and nearby cove yielded atypically high
PCB concentrations. During June 19-23, ERT divers set up 13 N-S transects across the cap for diver
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inspection. One diver on comm rope assessed cap condition looking for damage or anomalies in the cap.
Diver observations regarding the cap surface, topography, and sediment type and thickness were
communicated to topside personnel and recorded on log sheets. The diver also probed any sediment
layers to determine thickness and whether the top layer of the cap armor stone was present beneath the
sediment. A second buddy diver took video of all notable cap features, including any depressions or
ridges on the cap surface, on every transect.
Based on elevated fish tissue results, ERT divers collected zebra mussels and round goby to be
incorporated into the 2017 fish sampling event. Zebra mussels were harvested from 12 of the 14 sample
locations by ERT scientific divers and round goby were collected from 13 of 14 sample locations,
primarily using fish traps. Dive operations were conducted using a single diver on comm rope utilizing
SCUBA, a full-face and a dry suit.
Historically high flows in the St. Lawrence produced less visibility (5-15 feet) than expected and
unpredictable currents (est. .5-2.5 knots), making diving conditions more difficult. During both field
events polluted water diving gear and diver decontamination techniques were employed, based on the
potential for PCB contamination.
m
c
O
ERT Diver making observations on the cap at Racer Trust Site.
San Jacinto Waste Pits, TX - ERT Support of EPA Region 6 Scientific Dive Team, September 2017
San Jacinto River Waste Pits- ERT provided technical and polluted water diving support to the Region 6
Dive Unit at this NPL site east of Houston adjacent to the San Jacinto River during post Hurricane
Harvey NPL Response Actions. Wastes containing PCBs and dioxins are present at this site with 11
acres of former impoundments capped in 2011, with about 50 percent of the waste material/armored cap
below river high tide. The armored cap consists of various rock sizes at 12-24 inches thickness. During
December, 2015, EPA R6 divers discovered a 20-25 foot gap in the armored cap material in the
northwestern portion of the site. Post Harvey, EPA divers inspected the cap in the NW area of the site,
based on the slope from cap to river bed and prior field events. Divers identified thin or no armor cap in
multiple locations in the NW area. EPA divers also drafted and implemented a diver sediment sampling
plan. One of the surficial sediment samples exceeded 70,000 ppt dioxin/furan equivalents, another
indication that waste materials are exposed to the river. Based on diver observations and sampling
results, it appears that river flooding events, which cause erosion/deposition and shifting sediments,
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makes the northwest cap area of the site unsuitable for long term isolation of the waste pits. This
information facilitated the Record of Decision for the site, which was issued within a month of the EPA
diver findings (see link below).
All dives were conducted using line tended procedures, a single diver on Comm rope, with diver wearing
FFM, dry suit and dry gloves. Between dives divers were deconned on-board the dive vessel. Divers
followed the EPA diver SOPs Appendix P and Q, for Tethered Diving and Diver Decontamination, DSM
Version 1.3).
http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/pruitt-deplovs-epas-elite-frogmen-in-post-hurricane-
inspections/article/2634623
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/san-iacinto-waste-pits-superfund-site-cleanup-plan-approved
R6 Diver returns to Dive Vessel with ERT Diver support at SJWP Site.
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Tappan Zee Bridge, Tarrytown, NY, Native Oyster Habitat Survey, August, 2017
On board the EPA Vessel Biglane, the ERT Dive Team conducted side-scan sonar to identify transect
locations with oyster habitats placed by other parties for later retrieval. ERT dives were also conducted on
bottom areas identified by sonar as possible natural oyster habitat. Dives were conducted in less than 30
feet of water using single diver on communications line.
B. DIVE STATISTICS
Total
Number
Dive
No. of dives
exposure days
Scientific dives
70
37
Training dives
12
7
Proficiency dives
97
37
Total
179
81
C. DIVING INJURIES
There were no diving injuries or incidents during FY2017.
D. DIVE TRAINING
After a hiatus of several months, ERT divers had a requalification dive in the local YMCA pool using
SCUBA and full face mask, and also conducted an annual swim test. EPA diver training was held in Gulf
Breeze in May, 2017. Scientific training was provided for trainee divers. ERT and other EPA UDOs
participated with lectures, in-water exercises, and deployment and recovery of in-water training
equipment.
Internal dive unit training sessions were held at the Dutch Springs Quarry, PA, and Gravel Pond,
Littleton, CO. The primary hands-on training focused on the following: Dry Suit and Full Face Mask
Training, Proficiency; Dive/Navigation/Compass Course; Zero visibility Search; and underwater
photography.
E. DIVING EQUIPMENT
Current Equipment Inventory
Primary equipment are Scuba tanks (24), Pony bottles (8), Regulators (11), BCDs (11), Dry Suits (10),
Full Face Masks (10), Comm ropes with Box, KM Surface Supply Control box with 2 umbilicals,
Superlight 17 Helmets (2), XLDS-RDC Portable Surface Supply System with 300 ft Umbilical, MS 1000
Vector Scanning Sonar, and Outland 1000 ROV.
During FY 2017, ERT did annual maintenance on dive equipment (regulators, BCs, dry suits, surface
supplied, AGAs, computers), and the 41-foot Biglane dive/survey vessel. Primary purchases were 8 Steel
tanks (4 100 CF and 4 149 CF), one OTS FFM, and some Whites Dry Suit accessories (inflators, hoses,
etc),
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F.
REVIEW OF DIVING PERSONNEL
Presently, the ERT Dive Team has eight full-time members, including six dive masters:
Dave Adams
Steve Blaze
Chris Gallo
Scott Grossman
Rich Henry
Alan Humphrey
Buddy LoBue
Jon McBurney
Dive master (pending 100 Sci/training dives)
Dive master
Scientific Diver
Dive master, Alternate UDO
Dive master, US F&WS
Dive master/UDO
Dive master
Dive master
Several EPA divers, including Pete Stevenson (Dive master, Region 8), Jeff McPherson (Scientific
Diver, Region 8), and Daniel Rodriguez, (Scientific Diver, Region 2,Vieques) have conducted scientific
or training dives with the ERT and other EPA dive units.
TIME SPENT ON THE NATIONAL DIVE PROGRAM AND RELATED COSTS
Assistance with EPA Diver Training Course
Ten days
Comments on EPA Diving Activities
Three days
Updates to EPA Diving Safety Manual
Five days
Dive Plan Review
Five days
DSB Chairman Duties
Five days
Support for R6 Dive Team
Three days
Cost of travel related to diving projects
$4,000
Attendance at EPA Diver Training Course
$2500
and the EPA Diving Safety Board Meeting
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ANNUAL REPORT OF DIVE OPERATIONS
US EPA MID-ATLANTIC REGION 3
SCIENTIFIC DIVE UNIT
Fiscal Year 2017 - October 2016 through September 2017
Prepared by: Steven J. Donohue, Unit Dive Officer (UDO)
A. BACKGROUND AND SUPPORT OF AGENCY GOAL
The US EPA Mid-Atlantic Region 3 Scientific Dive Unit (SDU) is a program within the
Coastal Science Team in the Environmental Assessment and Innovation Division's (EAID)
Office of Monitoring and Assessment (OMA). This SDU Annual Report describes activities and
accomplishments for Fiscal Year 2017. The SDU is comprised of scientists and engineers from
the following offices and divisions; Air Protection Division, EAID, Hazardous Site Cleanup
Division, Land and Chemical Division and Office of Environmental Compliance and
Environmental Justice.
The SDU helped contribute to the EPA 2017 Strategic Plan goal of protecting America's
waters and working toward a sustainable future by conducting a number of operations, including
the underwater quantitative surveys for the EPA Region 3 Office of Monitoring and Assessment
(OMA) RARE Study on submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) in the Delaware River. The SDU
also supported the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
(DNREC), by sampling and assessment of the condition of the EX USS Radford artificial reef
(AR). The SDU helped contribute to the goal of Embracing EPA as a High Performing Agency
through training, maintaining readiness to support emergency response events and participation
in a third party audit of the Regional Dive Program.
B. DIVING ACTIVITIES
Below is a summary of SDU activities in FY2017, followed by a paragraph describing
each activity. Table 1 provides a summary of data for each dive including location, purpose,
depth, conditions, breathing gas, number of dives and hyperbaric exposure days. Additional
detail on each SDU activity is available in the site specific Dive and Safety Plan (completed prior
to diving) and the Operation Report (completed following diving). Figures 1 and 2 show the
number and percentage of Scientific, Training and Personal Proficiency Dives and Hyperbaric
Exposure Days.
Summary
In FY2017, the SDU conducted training operations, supported the RARE SAV study, and
sampled the EX USS Radford artificial reef.
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A major focus of the SDU this year was to provide support for the Office of Research and
Development Regional Applied Research Efforts (RARE) grant entitled "Baseline
Hydroacoustic Survey of Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) in the Delaware Estuary".
Scientific dives were completed at nine locations along the main stem of the Delaware River
from just south of Trenton approximately 30 nautical miles downstream to the Philadelphia
Airport. Tasks completed in support of the RARE study included; video of the in-situ condition
of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV), and quantitative survey transects collecting data on
percent cover, SAV species present and sediment type. Our approach for these dives was to use
a single tethered diver on hardline corns. The SDU purchased two new 250-foot hardline com
lines to replace corns lines that were in excess of fifteen years old. This allowed the SDU to
efficiently complete this work while reducing dives and diver exposure.
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation near Burlington Island on the Delaware River
The SDU also successfully planned and implemented an epibenthic sampling and video
survey of the EX USS Radford artificial reef 26 NM off the coast of Delaware in June of 2017.
The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Division of Fish
and Wildlife requested collaboration with the SDU on this study. Weather/sea state prevented
the SDU from a planned survey in FY2016 and sampling this year extended the temporal dataset
on successi on of organism s growing on the reef.
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SDU Sampling the EX USS Radford June 2017
An approximately equal number of training dives and scientific dives were conducted by
the SDU in FY 2017. This was due to a number of factors including; preparing for the
participation of a new diver in the EPA National Training, conducting a fall dive audit training
dive operation, requalifying divers in a spring training dive, and using hardline corns for all our
scientific dives in the Delaware where only a single diver is deployed.
Two divers completed over half the SDU proficiency dives (81 out of 132) at Adventure
Aquarium. Aquarium diving is considered a commercial dive operation subject to OSHA
requirements. Duties include participating in a public dive show and doing cleaning and
maintenance diving. Just over half (7 of 13) divers did not complete any proficiency dives on
their own time. Their only diving is through work sponsored training or scientific dives. There
are multiple benefits to SDU participation as volunteer divers including improved proficiency,
regular repetitive dives, and familiarization with the requirements of diving in a commercial dive
operation. The SDU hopes to continue to explore with the Aquarium Dive Safety Officer an
arrangement for more SDU divers to participate in proficiency diving at the aquarium.
A long-tenured Scientific Diver (1993) and Dive Master (2007) in the SDU, David Byro,
retired in August 2017. However, EA1D OMA was able to hire a new employee. David Light, a
former Marine Corp Diver, successfully completed the EPA National Scientific Diver Training
Program in May and participated in many of our operations this field season.
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Description of FY 2017 Dive Operations
EPAR3 SDU -FY-2017-01 - On April 26, 2017, one trainee diver participated in an equipment
fitting and testing dive conducted in a pool. All planned objectives outlined in the Dive and
Safety Plan were accomplished including; testing recently serviced SCUBA regulators, fitting
and testing Aga masks, fitting and testing two different drysuits. The trainee completed two
dives to check fit and seal of a commercial and hazmat capable drysuit. Both dives were also
completed in a positive pressure Aga masks to test the fit in water.
EPA NATIONAL DIVER TRAINING - One Region 3 trainee diver attended and successfully
completed the EPA National Scientific Diver Training from May 15 to 19, 2017.
EPAR3 SDU-FY-2017-WHEELING - On May 24, 2017, all Wheeling based members of the
SDU completed a re-qualification dive, annual diver fitness evaluation and equipment check.
The training dive was done in conjunction with the US Fish and Wildlife Service who EPA
collaborates with on fresh water mussel assessment and surveys.
EPAR3 SDU-FY-2017-02 - On May 31, 2017 ten members of the SDU, including one recently
certified EPA Scientific Diver, participated in a training dive at a local quarry. All primary
objectives from the Dive and Safety Plan were accomplished including; testing recently serviced
SCUBA regulators, and re-qualifying any diver who had not logged a dive in the last three to six
months. On the first dive, all recently serviced primary and secondary regulators were tested and
confirmed to be operating correctly. For the second dive, buddy teams practiced lending
breathing gas to their buddy using recently purchased equipment and sampling using fine
meshed bags and a scrape knife.
EPAR3 SDU-FY-2017-03 - On June 15, 2017, at the request of, and in collaboration with, the
Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), the SDU
conducted the fourth of five planned biological surveys of the EX USS Radford artificial reef
(AR). The AR is a retired US Navy Destroyer over 550 feet long that was sunk 26 NM off the
coast of Delaware on August 10, 2011 to provide additional artificial reef habitat. SDU divers
obtained scrape samples of the epifauna on vertical and horizontal surfaces of the ship as well as
high definition video. The survey showed the AR was covered with large mature blue mussels,
hydroids, corals, and hundreds of black sea bass were observed. DNREC chartered the
University of Delaware's RV Joanne Daiber for the SDU to use for the sampling.
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Practicing Buddy Breathing with a Safe Second and Sharing the Diver's Primary Regulator
EPA R3 SDU -FY-201 7-04 - On July 12 and 13, 2017 qualitative SAV confirmation dives were
conducted at the upstream end of Petty Island and upstream and downstream of the Betsy Ross
Bridge on the Delaware River. Video was shot with a mask mounted camera and observations
were relayed topside through the hardline com rope. This was the first diving conducted to
support the RARE SAV survey and was used to help develop methodology for future diving.
EPAR3 SDU-FY-2017-05 - On July 27, 2017 quantitative SAV transects were run
perpendicular from the shore on the Delaware River from deeper water to shallow to quantify
percent cover and the species present. Three transects were completed offshore of Neshaminy
State Park and three transects were completed across the River on the New Jersey shoreline.
Observations were made using a %. meter frame at 3 to 5 locations along each transect. Video
was shot with a mask mounted camera and observations were relayed topside through the
hardline com rope. The SDU continued to develop the methodology for conducting diving in
support of the RARE SAV survey. However, the basic approach outlined in the Dive and Safety
Plan was implemented with some minor changes.
EPA R3 SDU -FY-201 7-06 - On August 23, 2017 quantitative SAV transects were run to obtain
percent cover of SAV and species present at five sample locations along three transects at two
sites on the Delaware River. The results provide a characterization from deep water to shallow
of the distribution and density of SAV. Three transects were completed offshore of the
downstream end of Burlington Island in the Delaware River. In addition, three transects were
completed on the New Jersey shoreline just downstream of Roebling. Observations were made
using a |1 meter frame at 5 locations along each transect. The methodology for conducting
diving in support of the RARE SAV survey is essentially unchanged since the last survey.
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EPA R3 SDU -FY-2Q] 7-08 -_On September 8, and 11, the SDU completed dive operations at
two additional locations in the Delaware River to document the in-situ condition of Submerged
Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) and obtain data on the percent cover and species present. The
September 8 site was just downstream of the Walt Whitman Bridge on the Pennsylvania side of
the river. On September 11, a site on the New Jersey side across the river from the Philadelphia
Airport was completed. Scientific divers were equipped with a drysuit and full-face mask, with a
mask mounted camera and hardline communication rope to the surface. Divers completed
transects and relayed topside data on the percent cover and SAV species present. Divers also
characterized the bottom substrate and presence or absence of freshwater mussels. The results
provide a characterization of the distribution, density, and species of SAV from deep to shallow
water. To date, nine different Delaware River locations have been assessed in 2017.
Hydrilla and Wild Celery Growing Near Redbank, NJ
EPAR3 SDU -FY-2017-09 - EPA's Safety and Sustainability (S&S) Division conducted an
audit of the Region 3 SDU Program over three days in mid-September, 2017. The audit included
an inspection of the SDU dive locker on September 18, observation of a dive operation at a local
quarry on September 19, and a final file review and out-brief on September 20. In their close-out
briefing, the auditors indicated they found no major or high priority findings; however they did
have suggestions to improve the program. Some of these items related to the overall EPA Dive
Program and were not specific to Region 3. The audit team consisted of a representative of S&S
and a commercial diving consultant with over thirty years of experience in dive planning and
auditing.
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Table 1 Data Summary for SDU Operations in FY 2017
Training Dives in Fiscal Year 2017
Location
Langhorne, PA
Gulf Breeze
Purpose
Training
Training
Depth
in Breathing
Date Feet Conditions Gas
4/26/2017 8 Freshwater air
Air, Nitrox
and
Rebreather
5/15 to 8 to 125 Bay and Open
5/19/2017 feet Ocean
Names of Diver
and (#) of dives
David Light
David Light
Total#
of Dives
Total#
Hyperbaric
Exposure
Days
Dutch Springs Quarry,
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Dutch Springs Quarry,
Allentown, Pennsylvania
Equipment Checkout,
Re-qualification, Sample 5/31/2017
Training
54 to 76 Freshwater
feet Lake
air and nitox
Dive Audit
9/19/2017 80 Freshwater ^
Lake
Four Seasons Pool, MoundsN Proficiency Swim Test ar 5/24/2017 10 pool conditions air
Scientific Dives in Fiscal Year 2017
Epibenthic Samplina of
26 NM off Coast of Delaware ,, , 6/15/2017 112 Open Ocean
EXUSS Radford K
Tidal Delaware River Petty
Island
Tidal Delaware River Betsy
Ross Bridge
Submerged Aquatic
Freshwater
Vegetation Qualitative 7/12/2017 >10 feet Tidal River with
Sun/ey
Submerged Aquatic
Vegetation Qualitative
Sun/ey
7/13/2017
Current
Freshwater
>13 feet Tidal River with Air
Current
John Armstead, Jim
Adamiec, Kelley
Chase, Dave Byro,
Steve Donohue, Nathan
Doyle, Mike Eller, David
Light, Eric Newman,
Brad White
Steve Donohue (2),
Nathan Doyle (2), Mike
Eller (2), Eric Newman
(2), Brad White (2)
Frank Borsuk, Jen
Fulton, Leah Ettema
John Armstead, Dave
Byro, Steve Donohue,
Nathan Doyle,
ScottGrossman, Alan
Humphrey, David Light,
Eric Newman, Brad
White
Steve Donohue (3), Jim
Adamiec (3)
Brad White (1), Mike
Eller (1) and Jim
Adamiec (1)
10
3
23
Dive
Masters
Donohue
Humphrey
White and
Newman
Donohue
Borsuk
White and
Newman
White and
Donohue
Tidal Delaware River
Neshaminy Creek
Ohio River
Tidal Delaware River
Burlington Island and
Roebling
Tidal Delaware River KIA
Site
Tidal Delaware River Red
Bank Site
Submerged Aquatic
Vegetation Qualitative
Sun/ey
Freshwater
7/27/2017 >10 feet Tidal River with
Current
USFWS Mussel Dive Opj 8/22/2017
Submerged Aquatic
Vegetation Qualitative
Sun/ey
Submerged Aquatic
Vegetation Qualitative
Sun/ey
Submerged Aquatic
Vegetation Qualitative
Sun/ey
Freshwater
8/23/2017 >10 feet Tidal River with
Current
Freshwater
9/8/2017 >10 feet Tidal River with
Current
Freshwater
9/11/2017 >10 feet Tidal River with
Current
Air
12 low visabilty air
Leah Ettema (1), Kelly
Chase (3)
Frank Borsuk, Jen 4
Fulton
Nate Doyle(3) and Mike
Eller(2)
David Light (4) and Jim
Adamiec (2)
David Light (2) and Nate
Doyle (2)
White
Morrison
41
24
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Figure 1 Scientific, Training, and Proficiency Dives for SDU in FY 2017
Notes: Scientific Dives are performed for scientific, research, or educational purposes
"Training Dives done on government time and at government expense.
** Personal Proficiency Dives are done on personal time and at personal expense in order to enhance or maintain
proficiency. Divers may have used government dive equipment.
Figure 2 Hyperbaric Exposure Days for SDU in FY 2017
Scientific , 24
Note: A hyperbaric exposure day is defined as any day a diver is exposed to greater than ambient pressure due to diving.
-------
C. DIVING ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, OR INCIDENTS
Describe all accidents, injuries, and incidents: There were no diving accidents, injuries,
or incidents experienced by the SDU in FY 2017.
Dutch Springs Quarry Training Site
D. DIVE TRAINING
L Describe the type of training conducted/received, and list name, office, and level
of certification for each trainee.
a. In early March, our Safety Health and Environmental Manager sponsored a
two day long DAN First Aid for Professional Divers class and all our current
divers and a trainee participated.
b. In April a trainee participated in training and equipment testing dives in a pool
wearing drysuits and Aga masks.
c. Nine SDU divers and one trainee completed our Regional Boat Operator and
Assistant Operator Training in April/May of 2017.
d. The National EPA Diver Training was held in May 15 to 19, 2017. He Region
3 trainee successfully completed the training and we added one new scientific
diver to the SDU in FY 2017.
e. Wheeling-based divers participated in USFWS training and fitness testing.
f. Spring Requalification and Fall Audit Training Dives were conducted at a
local quarry.
-------
See the narrative and description of operations in Section A for additional detail and
Figures 1 and 2 for the number of training dives and hyperbaric exposure days.
See the Table in Section E below for a complete list of the names, offices, and
certification level of each member the SDU.
2. List any training needed.
a. Philadelphia SDU divers will need to complete biennial physical fitness
testing in FY2018. Wheeling based divers completed physical fitness
testing with the US FWS in FY 2017.
b. Divers must complete the annual 8-hour refresher for their 40 hour
HAZWOPER training or 8 hour field safety training in FY 2018.
E. DIVE EQUIPMENT
Same as last year? Yes No X
a. If no, list and note the equipment that is new or removed from service.
New Items:
The SDU purchased two new 250-foot hardline com lines FY2017. These new
com lines were used for all our Delaware River dives this year and provided
robust and reliable communication to relay scientific observations and manage
our dives/divers.
The SDU purchased 13 safe seconds in FY2017 and all SDU divers are now
equipped with a breathable inflator for their BCD. This will provide a
standardized alternate air supply during all our dives.
All SDU divers are now equipped with a yellow body and hosed alternate air
supply regulators and hoses for all of our alternate air supply/pony bottle
regulators.
A diver added to the SDU in FY2016, as well as our new diver added in FY2017,
were fully equipped with a Mares Abyss Primary Regulator, pony regulator,
gauges and computers.
Several of our divers have vision correcting diopters in their masks and at the end
of FY2017 we purchased diopters for three of our Aga masks.
-------
Removed from Service:
A Suunto Cobra Air Integrated computer and Viper computer failed during
sendee in January and were red tagged out of service.
Com lines that were over fifteen years old and experiencing intermittent failure
due to the deterioration of the inside wire were taken out of service.
2. New Equipment Needed
Our Wheeling SDU divers, who primarily do shallow river diving currently have
a wireless air integrated primary dive computer but no backup dive computer.
Based on available budget and in order to have uniformity of equipment across all
regional divers the SDU will assess whether to purchase additional computers for
the three Wheeling divers.
As a result of suggestions received during our recent dive audit we may explore
purchasing additional gear including a floatation back board, hoisting sling, and
new tank valves. In addition, based on available budget, the SDU would like to
have enough fully operational Aga mask to assign each diver his/her own mask,
with ABV valve, mounting rail, and more powerful light.
Deploying diver from the University of Delaware RV Joanne Daiber
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F. REVIEW OF UNIT DIVING PERSONNEL
Table 2 below contains the names, division and current certification for Philadelphia and
Wheeling based members of the SDU at the end of the Fiscal Year.
Table 2 SDU Personnel in FY 2017
Name
Certification
Division
Jim Adamiec
Scientific Diver
APD
John Armstead
Dive Master
LCD
Frank Borsuk
Dive Master
EAID
Kelley Chase
Dive Master
HSCD
Steve Donohue
Unit Dive Officer
EAID
Nathan Doyle
Scientific Diver
HSCD
Mike Eller
Scientific Diver
OECEJ
Leah Ettema
Scientific Diver
EAID
John Forren
Scientific Diver
EAID
Jennifer Fulton
Scientific Diver
EAID
David Light
Scientific Diver
EAID
Eric Newman
Dive Master
HSCD
Brad White
Dive Master
HSCD
G. TIME SPENT ON THE NATIONAL PROGRAM
1. Time expenditures.
ACTIVITY (DESCRIPTION)
Assistance with Diver Training Course
Review of Documents (revision to DSM, emails)
Editing of Biohazard Appendix to the DSM
Performing Action Items
(e.g., Prep for & Audit of Dive Opts)
Preparation for and Attendance at Meetings
(Annual DSB Meeting)
Technical Assistance to Other Units
Other
TIME (Hrs/Davs)
0 days
7 days
5 days
2 days
0 days
0 days
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2. Fiscal (monetary) expenditures:
COST OF TRAVEL SPENT ON NATIONAL PROGRAM
(list by trip)
UDO participating in DSB Meeting/Call with ERT UDO $ 40.00
H. FY 2017 BUDGET
Funding for the SDU is borne principally by OMA's annual budget. Purchases of new
equipment, the cost to operate and maintain the SDU tanks and equipment, and training costs in
FY2017 were $8328. Annual operating costs include the cost for new equipment and supplies,
required annual maintenance for regulators, and tanks for both the Philadelphia and Wheeling
locations and entrance fees at the training venue (quarry). This also includes the cost of filling
tanks with air/nitrox as well as miscellaneous supplies. This does not include any travel costs
and employees time. The SDU had one operation (EX USS Radford Sampling) that involved
overnight travel in FY2017.
SDU Operating Costs
$11,063
$8,674 H $g32g $g242
mill
2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 5 Year
Average
I. FY 2018 PLANS
In FY 2018 the SDU plans to continue to foster strong partnerships internally, as well as
with; other federal agencies, states and other organization, by conducting monitoring and
assessment of our Mid-Atlantic rivers, estuaries, and coastal waters.
$12,000
$10,000
$8,000
$6,000
$4,000
$2,000
$-
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R4 ATHENS DIVE UNIT
ANNUAL REPORT OF UNIT DIVE TRAINING AND OPERATIONS 2017
Diving Unit: Region 4 Athens, GA Time Period: 11/01/16-11/24/17
Mel Parsons, 1.1 DO
A. DIVING ACTIVITIES
The EPA R4, Athens Dive Team logged 61 dives with 45 exposure days over the past
year. It was the slowest dive year on record for the Athens Dive Team - with next year not
looking much better! Most dives were performed during Sediment Oxygen Demand (SOD)
Studies and some habitat assessment in conjunction with the Port Everglades Deepening Project.
The Port Everglades channel is proposed to be dredged ten feet deeper, extended two miles and
widened 800 feet in order to accommodate the new larger Panamax ships. The entire area
surrounding the channel contains large areas of corals, octocorals, and sponges. EPA R4 is
working with the US-COE, NOAA NMFS, USFWS, FL DEP and Broward County, FL to insure
that the habitat is assessed and documented prior to construction in order to insure adequate
mitigation for the habitat destruction that will occur.
1. Description/type of diving operations
a. Ocean Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ODMDS) - 7 Dives. 3 Exposure
Days:
Conducted fish and habitat assessments at the Fernandina Beach, FL ODMDS
from the NOAA ship Nancy Foster as described above.
-------
b. Sediment oxygen demand/nutrient studies - 37 Dives. 27 Exposure Days:
Sediment Oxygen Demand (SOD) studies were conducted the Cape Fear River,
NC, The Reedy River near Greenville, SC and in some small tidal creeks near
Sarasota, FL.
c. Training Dives - 15 Dives. 13 Exposure Days:
Training dives were conducted with the GED dive team on multiple trips this past
year and consisted of deeper offshore dives (60-130').
2. Location of diving operations/water body
Florida - Pensacola, Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) and Sarasota Bay tidal
creeks
North Carolina - Cape Fear River
South Carolina - Reedy River
3. Dive Statistics
'Number of Dives
Work: 46
Training: 15
Proficiency: 0
Number of Exposure Days
Work: 32
Training: 13
Proficiency: 0
61
45
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B.
DIVING ACCIDENTS
No accidents this year.
C. DIVING SAFETY AUDIT
No findings on the self-assessment audit this year
D. DIVE TRAINING
No R4 divers attended Diver Training this year.
E. DIVING EQUIPMENT
All dive equipment was serviced and passed inspection.
Tanks: 12 - 100 ft3, 16 - 80 ft3, 19 - 63 ft3, 4 - 19 ft3, 4 -13 ft3, 4 - 6 ft3
1 KM Superlight 27 w/tri valve exhaust w/wireless and hardwire/wireless comms
1 Amron two diver dive control console w/150' light umbilical
1 Amron two diver com box
Regulators: 6 Poseidon Cyclon 5000s - Taken out of service
2 Zeagle 50D/w ZX second
3 Zeagle Flathead 7
3 Genesis GS 2000
Computers: 2 Suunto Cobra
5 Suunto Gekos
AGAs: 7 /w silicone skirts - 4 with comms
OTS Wireless communications for 5 FFM and 1 surface unit
4 OTS Guardian FFM w/OTS Wireless Comms
Gates Dry Suits w/attached Superlight neck yoke: 1
Viking Dry Suit w/attached Superlight neck yoke: 1
Viking Dry Suits w/ latex hoods: 13
Whites HazMat Dry Suits: 2
Olympus TG-3 14 MP digital camera w/Olympus U/W housing and strobe
Olympus 8080, 8 MP digital camera w/Olympus U/W housing
GoPro Hero 4 Black w/UW strobes
2 Dacor dive scooters
Parker 25' and 28' Pilot House Boats for dive ops.
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F. REVIEW OF DIVING PERSONNEL
There are a total of 5 divers on the EPA Region 4 Athens Dive Team of which 4 are
active. The dive team currently has 3 divemasters.
NAME
AGE
SEX
CERTIFICATION LEVEL
Pete Kalla
62
M
Divemaster (Inactive)
Jon McMahan
35
M
Scientific Diver
Mel Parsons
59
M
UDO/Divemaster
John Ruiz
52
M
Scientific Diver
Greg White
31
M
Divemaster
Changes in personnel
No changes in personnel.
G. TIME SPENT OF THE NATIONAL DIVE PROGRAM
ACTIVITY (describe) TIME
Assistance with Diver Training Course 20 days
Review of Documents (EPA Dive Manual vl .2) 2
Performing Action Items 1
Preparation for and Attendance of DSB Meeting 2
Technical Assistance to Other Units 0
Equipment Servicing $4400.00
Equipment Purchases $ 100.00
Other 0
COST OF TRAVEL SPENT ON NATIONAL PROGRAM
(list by trip)
Attend Diver Training/Diving Safety Board Meeting/GED Training
$ 950.00
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ANNUAL REPORT
OF
DIVE TRAINING AND OPERATIONS
U.S. EPA
Atlanta Region 4
Dive Unit
10/01/2016 through 09/30/2017
Submitted by
Tara Levine Houda, Unit Dive Officer
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The US EPA's Atlanta Dive Unit is comprised of divers from the Atlanta EPA office. Historically
this Unit has been made up of divers from across the Divisions and has supported a variety of
programs, including Ocean Dredge Material Disposal Sites (ODMDS), TMDLs, current meters,
Sediment Oxygen Demand (SOD), criminal enforcement, emergency response, permitting, artificial
reefs, Superfund, and civil enforcement. The Unit has also provided partnership support to the
Florida artificial reef program, Florida Department of the Environmental Protection, U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers, NOAA Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, Florida Keys National Marine
Sanctuary, Georgia Tech, Georgia Southern University, EPA ORD development of Rapid
Bioassessment protocol, and other EPA Regions. The following is a summary of dive operations and
training in FY 17.
A. Diving Activities
1. In FY16 the Atlanta Unit reported the greatest number of Science dives (101) and total dives
(197) of any of the units that year. This year due to having fewer projects scheduled, only 10
Science dives were conducted in FY 17.
A Sediment Oxygen Demand (SOD) project in the Cape Fear, North Carolina was conducted
with SESD in June 2017. One Atlanta diver assisted SESD divers.
Contractor habitat assessment protocol for surveying related to an ODMDS was overseen in
Port Everglades, Florida in July 2017. The assessment is to document existing coral,
octocoral and sponge populations prior to proposed dredging to widen the channel. EPA R4
is working with the US-COE, NOAA NMFS, USFWS, FL DEP and Broward
County, FL on this project.
During an ocean survey of the Canaveral ODMDS and Miami ODMDS, reconnaissance and
training on live bottom demographics and fish identification was conducted off of Fort
Lauderdale by the Sea in July 2017. The project was related to habitat assessment associated
with the ODMDS, FL, conducted aboard the F.G. Walton Smith. During the Port
Everglades dives, divers practiced reef survey methods in preparation for an
anticipated survey.
Proficiency - Three divers are involved with the Georgia Aquarium and conducts a number
of volunteer dives on their personal time to help with aquarium maintenance on a monthly
basis. Only one diver had the need for a proficiency dive, but declined the opportunity for
personal reasons.
2. Offshore Florida, near Port Everglades and Fort Lauderdale by the Sea
North Carolina, Cape Fear River
3. Dive Statistics:
Number of Dives Number of Exposure Days
Science: 10 Science: 9
Training: 6
Training: 3
-------
Proficiency: 103
Totals 119
Proficiency: 79
91
Scientific, Training, and Proficiency Dives for
Atlanta in FY17
¦ Science ¦ Training ¦ Proficiency ¦ Personal Proficiency
B. Diving Accidents, Injuries, or Incidences
None.
C. Dive Training
Due to lack of management support for funding, no Atlanta divers participated in the
2017 Gulf Breeze EPA diver training course. Normally all UDOs serve as instructors
at every diver training course.
Tara Houda has been working towards completing course modules for the NAUI
Oxygen Administration Instructor Training, Basic Life Support CPR and First Aid
Instructor, Neurological Assessment Instructor and CPR Health-Care Provider with
First Aid. In FY18 Emergency Oxygen (O2) Administration training will be needed
for several divers. This will be the first year that an O2 Instructor will be on staff since
Tara completed NAUI's Divemaster and Instructor training which the DSB funded.
The unit plans to provide this training internally with hands-on practice. The last O2
certification obtained by a diver was online and lacked the highly valuable hands-on
component. The O2 kit from the OSV Bold will be used as a training kit. Sourcing of
dummies needs further evaluation. Versus obtaining this training at a local dive shop,
providing it internally is expected to save the agency $500.
At least three members of the unit participated in HAZWOPER refresher courses.
-------
In FY 18 divers will need to complete biennial physical fitness testing.
D. Dive Equipment
The Unit made a couple of purchases of new equipment this past year. This gear was obtained to
supply new divers and to re-equip current divers. Two dive computers failed in FY16 and
replacement Sunntos Vypers were purchased in FY 17 as planned. Additional end of year expiring
funding ($1,123.60) was obtained for two replacement BCDs which were purchased for our two
newest divers since their BCDs were previously assigned to other divers and were not a great fit.
During annual maintenance a piston was replaced in an Atomic regulator.
Purchases related to updating an O2 kit from the OSVBold will likely be needed in FY 18. In
FY 17 the unit was unable to obtain the funds to replace two wetsuits that are starting to wear out.
These still need replacing. The Unit is still considering upgrading rubber hoses to braided hoses.
Minor funds will likely be needed in FY 18 to replace expired items in the First Aid Kit.
1) 2 Sunnto Vyper Dive computers
2) 2 Sherwood BCDs
3) Minor supplies (regulator dust caps, dry box, reel, clips)
Regulators: 11 Atomic Z2 regulators (1st and 2nd stages) w/ Sea Elite octo.
BC's: 6 - Sea Elite Profile Hybrid; 1 - Mares Dragonfly; 1 - Sea Elite (no model available); 2 -
Zeagle Ranger; 1 SeaQuest Black Diamond; 1 - Dacor Falcon; 1 - Sherwood Luna; 1 - ScubaPro
X-Tek.
Computers: 6 Suunto Gekko, 1 Suunto Zoop, 2 Suunto Vyper dive computers
Drysuit(s): 1 Viking modified to fit smaller female divers
U/w video system: Sony TRV900 w/ Amphibico Navigator 900 housing and light package.
U/w digital camera: Housing for Canon PowerShot A80 (camera damaged). GoPro Hero 4 Black
Adventure Video Camera with GoBe700 dual Lights package. Olympus TG-3 U/W camera with
PT-056 housing and Sea&Sea YS-03 U/W strobe.
MiniOx I Oxygen Analyzer: updated sensors with backup sensor
2 OTS DRS-100B: diver recall system
Marine Trauma Kit (Practical Trauma)
AED
Oxygen Kit: not in use; in need of service
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E. Review of Unit Diving Personnel
One employee that transferred to Region 4 in early 2017 has expressed interest in joining the
dive unit. The individual has a satisfactory dive resume, but has not chosen to complete the
required medical clearance steps in order to become a trainee and conduct a pool dive or
swim test.
Diver Name Age
TaraHouda 33
Chris McArthur 48
Rosemary Hall 41
Wade Lehmann 44
Lena Weiss 26
Sex Certification Level
Female Divemaster, UDO
Male Divemaster
Female Divemaster
Male Scientific Diver
Female Scientific Diver
F. Time Spent on the National Dive Program
1. Time Expenditures
ACTIVITY TIME
Assistance with Diver Training Course 0
Review of Documents
Dive Plans 3
Dive Reports 3
Manual review/updating 2
Performing Action Items
Action Item Follow-through 24
Preparation for and Attendance at Meetings (UDO)
Annual Reports 8
Meeting participation 24
Technical Assistance to Other Units 0
2. Fiscal Expenditures
Cost of Travel Spent on National Program during FY 17
Travel to Training Course $0
2017 DSB Meeting $0
New Gear $1,920
Gear Maintenance $1,289
Total $3,209
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ORD GULF ECOLOGY DIVISON DIVE UNIT
ANNUAL REPORT OF UNIT DIVE TRAINING AND OPERATIONS 2017
Diving Unit: ORD/GED, Gulf Breeze, FL Time Period: 11/01/16-11/24/17
Mel Parsons, Acting UDO
Cheryl Hankins, UDO in Training
This has been a banner year for the Gulf Breeze Dive Team. Two new divers, (Janet Nestlerode
and David Beddick), were brought onto the dive team in November, 2016, bringing the number
of GED divers back up to seven. Cheryl has been working hard to get her number of dives up
and the entire team is stepping up, with each dive master planning and executing monthly dives.
GED conducted a total of 216 dives with 101 exposure days during the past year.
On another sad note though, GED lost another one of its own this year. George Craven passed
away on September 24 after an extended illness. George began his career with EPA at GED in
1983 and was one of the original EPA divers certified during the first EPA dive training course,
along with Jim Patrick and Don Lawhorn in 1984.
A. DIVING ACTIVITIES
GED was able to send four divers to assist NOAA with the National Coral Reef Monitoring
Program (NCRMP) this year in St. John, VI. The GED divers conducted 119 dives with 37
exposure days during the NCRMP surveys. In preparation for NCRMP and to develop their skill
at planning and executing offshore and deeper dives, GED conducted multiple offshore training
dives as well as a trip to Vortex Springs during the year with depths ranging from 60-130 feet
deep. These deeper training dives generated 48 dives with 33 exposure days. Another 49 dives
with 31 exposure days were completed at the lab conducting proficiency dives as well as routine
maintenance of water intake structures.
GED hosted the National Diver Training Course in May, 2017. Those dives are listed in this
report but treated separately from GED dives.
2. Description/type of diving operations
c. National Coral Reef Monitoring Program (NCRMP - 119 Dives. 37 Exposure
Days:
Conducted habitat assessments at selected locations around St. John, USVI. The
project consisted of assisting NOAA with their annual coral reef monitoring
program. This was a NOAA planned and operated mission, therefore all diving
was conducted off NOAA small boats and all diving was conducted under NOAA
guidelines and overseen by a NOAA divemaster.
-------
b. Region 2 RARE microplastic sampling - 12 dives. 7 exposure days
During the NOAA NCRMP monitoring, Cheryl Hankins was able to
simultaneously collect coral samples for microplastic quantification and polymer
identification.
c. Offshore and Deep Training Dives - 48 Dives. 33 Exposure Days:
In order to stay proficient in the offshore environment, a series of offshore dives
was planned for the purpose of keeping the dive team members proficient in the
planning, managing and execution of safe offshore dives in deeper water (50-
130').
David Beddick Janet Nestlerode
d. Coral Collection Dives - 6 Dives. 2 Exposure Days
Two GED divers collected coral from the Florida Keys National Marine
-------
Sanctuary coral nurseries which are brought back to GED for use in experiments.
The GED Dive Team
d. National Diver Training Course - 120 Dives. 51 Exposure Days
The National EPA Diver Training Course was held May 15-19, 2017 at GED.
Thirteen divers and three Dive Master Candidates attended the course and
graduated as EPA Scientific Divers and Dive Masters. These dives are not
included as GED dives.
Location of diving operations/water body
Florida - Vortex Springs, Pensacola offshore as well as Santa Rosa Sound, the
Florida Keys and USVI.
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3. Dive Statistics
Number of Dives
Number of Exposure Days
Work:
144
Work:
52
Training:
48
Training:
33
Proficiency:
24
Proficiency:
16
216
101
C. DIVING ACCIDENTS
No accidents this year.
C. DIVING SAFETY AUDIT
No findings on the self-assessment audit this year
D. DIVE TRAINING
Janet Nestlerode, who went through the EPA Dive Course in 2005 re-joined the team in
November 2016 and successfully completed Dive Master Training during the 2017
course.
E. DIVING EQUIPMENT
All dive equipment was serviced and passed inspection.
Tanks: 4-117 ft3, 13 - 100 ft3, 19 - 80 ft3, 2-72 ft3, 8 - 63 ft3, 7 - 19 ft3, 4 -13
ft3, 7 - 3 ft3
1 KM Superlight 27 w/tri valve exhaust w/wireless and hardwire comms
2 KM single diver dive control console w/150' umbilicals
Regulators: 9 Scuba Pro MK25/A700 Regulators
Computers: 6 Suunto Zoop Novo
AGAs: 7 /w silicone skirts
OTS Buddy Phone Wireless communications
Viking Dry Suits w/ latex hoods: 13
Parker 23' and 25' Pilot House Boats for dive ops.
F. REVIEW OF DIVING PERSONNEL
There are a total of 7 divers on the EPA GED Dive Team. The dive team currently has 5
divemasters.
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NAME
AGE
SEX
CERTIFICATION LEVEL
David Beddick
38
M
Scientific Diver
Bill Fisher
68
M
Scientific Diver
Cheryl Hankins
38
F
Alternate UDO
Peggy Harris
52
F
Divemaster
Janet Nestlerode
48
F
Scientific Diver
Mel Parsons
59
M
Acting UDO
Debbie Santavy
60
F
Divemaster
Sherry Wilkinson
56
F
Divemaster
Changes in personnel
No changes in personnel other than the already mentioned addition of two divers late last year.
G. TIME SPENT ON THE NATIONAL DIVE PROGRAM
ACTIVITY (describe) TIME
Assistance with Diver Training Course 10 days
Review of Documents (EPA Dive Manual vl .2) 2
Performing Action Items 1
Preparation for and Attendance of DSB Meeting 2
Technical Assistance to Other Units 0
Equipment Servicing $4500.00
Equipment Purchases $ 1200.00 (4 117
cu ft cylinders)
Other 0
COST OF TRAVEL SPENT ON NATIONAL PROGRAM
(list by trip)
Attend Diver Training/Diving Safety Board Meeting/GED Training $0.00
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George doing what he loved
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ANNUAL REPORT OF DIVE TRAINING AND OPERATIONS FOR FY17
Diving Unit: EPA Region 6 (Dallas Office and Houston Laboratory combined)
Nick Gannon R6 Dive team POC
A. Diving Activities
Diving Operations and Locations
The Region 6 Dive Team continued to develop its capabilities to serve the Region;
especially in the area of contaminated water diving. The FY16 UDO, Brandi Todd,
left the Agency to work for NOAA starting Oct. 2, 2017. A. Humphrey, ERT-E, will
serve as acting (R6) UDO until R6 management support increases.
Still developing expertise for contaminated water diving, Region 6 worked closely
with A Humphrey and S. Grossman of ERT-E to continue to support Region 6.
R6 - ERT mixed teams performed one site recon/evaluation at SF site Bayou
Bonfouca in preparation for a SF site inspection. Another mixed team performed
PRP oversight, dive ops, cap assessment, and sampling at the San Jacinto Waste
Pits SF site. This was a 9-day operation following Hurricane Harvey and was
attended by Hdqtr. and R6 senior management. National newswires identified the
EPA divers as "Elite Frog(wo)men".
The Region 6 Dive Team also participated in a federal-state NDOW emergency
response exercise.
Dive team members continue to explore areas within Regional programs where
divers can enhance program effectiveness. NEIC and Regional enforcement staff
have inquired of dive team capabilities
With the expectation of ongoing work, the Region 6 Scientific Dive team has been
able to maintain management support and very modest funding levels for
equipment purchases and maintenance.
FY 17 Region 6 Dive Team Activities
10/27/16
Lake Texoma NDOW Exercise
Eisenhower State Park, TX
11/3/16
Dive Safety Board Meeting conference call
Various
2/22/17
Training exercise - Scuba Toys Pool
Dallas, TX
4/18-19/17
Bayou Bonfouca SF site visit
Slidell, LA
9/6-15/17
SJWP ops - oversite, assessment, sampling
Houston, TX
FY 18 Anticipated Activities
5/18
EPA Diver Training
Gulf Breeze, FL
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Dive Statistics
Dive Type
Number of Dives
Number of
Exposure Days
Science
9
6 (2 divers x 3 days)
Training
20
3 (3 divers x 1 day)
Proficiency
10
2 (2 divers x 1 day)
Total
39
11 Diver Days
Scientific dives were performed at the San Jacinto Waste Pits SF site, San Jacinto River, Houston TX
Training dives were performed at Lake Texoma, Eisenhower State Park, TX. Proficiency and training
dives were performed at Scuba Toys Pool, Dallas, TX.
R6 diver Ashley Howard collecting post Hurricane Harvey samples at the San Jacinto
Waste Pits SF site. Sept. 15, 2017.
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B. Diving Accidents, Injuries, or Incidents
No accidents, injuries or other incidents to report during FY17 from Region 6.
C. Dive Training
All R6 divers are current for FOH physicals, basic First Aid, CPR, AED, Oxygen
Administration, neuro examinations, and the annual 8-hour HAZWOPER refresher.
Due to lack of management support and family emergencies, no R6 divers
participated in the 2017 Gulf Breeze diver training class.
2018 Training needs:
- Divemaster training for Ashley Howard (EPA or NOAA)
- Inclusion of incapacitated diver rescue/removal exercises into training dives
D. Dive Equipment
All dive team regulators, depth gauges, tanks, BCs and masks underwent annual
inspection and service.
The R6 team still maintains a R4 loaner Viking drysuit and a R10 surface supplied
air device.
At this point, the Region 6 Dive Team is equipped to perform either contaminated or
uncontaminated water diving with respect to drysuits, full face masks (Guardians),
Hollis or Aqua Lung BC's amenable to decontamination, and tethered diving on
communication lines. The Region is currently investigating obtaining the additional
equipment necessary to support operations using surface supplied air.
DIVE TEAM 2017 ANNUAL INSPECTION COSTS
ITEM
NEED
WHEN
COST
EA.
TOTAL
Tank VIP
Critical
Oct-17
$12.00
9
$108.00
Tank Hydro + VIP
Critical
Oct-17
$44.95
0
$0.00
Regulator Inspection
Critical
Oct-17
$59.95
6
$359.70
Regulator Parts
Critical
Oct-17
$40.00
6
$240.00
OTS Mask Inspection
Critical
Oct-17
$50.95
3
$152.85
OTS Mask Parts
Critical
Oct-17
$79.95
3
$239.85
BC Inspection
Critical
Oct-17
$19.95
6
$119.70
Additional equipment costs: 02 regulator (2-year maintenance) plus a MTV-100
regulator. 4 spare wrist seals and 2 spare hoods made of polytex, if your wrist seals
and hoods are replaceable.
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E. Review of Unit Diving Active Personnel
Nick Gannon - (M) Science Diver (located in Houston). Completed Dive Master
training and 100 working dives mark reached. R6 Dive Team POC.
Valmichael Leos (M) - Scientific Diver.
Ashley Howard (F) - Scientific Diver and certified Emergency Medical Technician.
John Penland (M) - Scientific Diver.
Currently Inactive Divers
Leonard Schilling (M) - Science Diver (has voluntarily suspended dive team
membership due to increased outside obligations).
Retired/Former Divers
Bill Luthans (M) - Former Unit Dive Officer and Dive Master.
Brandi Todd (F) - Former Unit Diver Officer and Dive Master.
INACTIVE - to NOAA 10/17.
F. Time Spent on the National Dive Program
Todd and Gannon participated in the Dive Safety Board CC/meeting Nov 3, 2016.
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ANNUAL REPORT OF UNIT DIVE TRAINING AND OPERATIONS
Diving Unit: EPA Region 10 Time Period: FY 2017
DIVING ACTIVITIES
1. Describe each type of diving operation.
During FY 17 the Region 10 unit had three scientific work diving events, some of which were
multi-week operations. There were also two formal training events to practice critical rescue and
scientific data collection techniques. Of the three work events only one was in support of
Superfund, which is a rarity for our regional program, where in most years past, the majority were
in support of Superfund. Just at the end of FY 16 and at the very beginning of FY 18, it should
be noted that significant Superfund work was/will be conducted on Upper Columbia River and
Wyckoff superfund projects, respectively (part of the UCR project went into FY 17, and is part of
this report). All projects were related to natural resource, water, or habitat quality issues. Zero of
these work projects this year involved use of free swimming SCUBA, two were via tethered
SCUBA, and two were surface supplied. Training was conducted to maintain proficiency with all
the surface supplied diving mode, rescue, sampling, and underwater photography. Region 10 had
18 work dives and 78 training dives, as this was a significant training year with two dive school
graduates (Ian Ainoa and Anya Savrasov). Overall, Region 10 had a total of 191 dives (including
requalification and off-duty dives). During FY2017, Region 10 (R10) had the following work
projects:
1. Upper Columbia River Mussel Sampling Region 10 divers supported the collection of
mussels from areas above the Grand Coulee dam to the Canadian border to support
Superfund evaluation of contaminant impacts to the river from the smelter in Trail, BC.
Altitude dive planning was required to execute the dives and return safety to hotels and
over mountain passes for the return journey home. These dives also involved critical
coordination with USFWS and two tribes to ensure proper data collection techniques for
data integrity and to avoid disturbance of cultural resources.
Figure: the mussels staged in river water awaiting sample processing.
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Figure: Alternate UDO and project divemaster Rob Pedersen returns to the vessel, on
tethered scuba.
2. Salmon Enhancement Pen dives (2 deployments, one baseline survey, one post survey).
This project for the Office of Water included one deployment prior to salmon being
placed into the net pen for a baseline survey, and a comparative post salmon habitation
survevs to look for impacts visuallv and through sediment sampling
Photo: diver collecting a surface sediment sample to evaluate benthic impact from the net pen
aquaculture operation..
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Photo: Chad Schulze gives a thumbs up that he's ready to dive. Dives were recorded on a gopro camera
such that transects may be compared pre and post salmon habitation in the pen. This full face mask
mount for the lights and camera allow the diver to dive hands free and focus on sediment sampling.
3. Willapa Bav Estuary Monitoring Scientific divers deployed and retrieved scientific
instruments vital to implementation of the Clean Water Act and updating of EPA's 303d
list of impaired water bodies in July of 2017. EPA and State staff have worked jointly to
obtain data for this estuarya key area in supporting a variety of aquatic life since 2009.
A variety of government entities have recognized the critical importance estuaries play in
the overall ocean ecosystem, which EPA Region 10 has chosen to support via direct
scientific data collection. Data collected will be utilized in a scientific report on the
health of regional estuaries. Unfortunately, this was the last project on Willapa, as due to
funding cuts Ecology is no longer deploying the station.
-------
1
For more EPA scientific diving project information, see:
https://www.epa.gov/scientific-diving and
www. facebook .com/EPA Di vers
Training projects included (no pollutant exposure expected):
1. Region 10 unfortunately was unable to send a diver to the USC Wnglev campus for
rescue training in October 2017 (Leefers) as the class was again cancelled due to an
instructor medical issue.
2. Rescue training at the Manchester Lab campus- December 2016
3. Rescue training at the Manchester Lab campus- August 2017
4. NO A A dive training- three dive unit members received training at the NOAA sandpoint
campus to build critical team capacity with upcoming diver Leefers (divemaster), Ainoa
(scientific diver), and Savrasov (scientific diving)
5. AAUS dive safety training- September 2017
Projects deferred to others or cancelled.
The dive unit remains in high demand to conduct scientific surveys and provide HASP review for
contracted scientific diving operations. 2017 updates: Wyckoff cap repair work was overseen by ROV,
vs. divers, for health and safety reasons during barge /cap dumping operations.
2. Location of diving operations (list each state and type of water body).
Scientific work and training dives were conducted in the Upper Columbia River, Willapa Bay,
and Elliot Bay, Washington
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3. Dive Statistics.
Number of Dives
Work
18
Training
Other (off-duty/ proficiency)
82
95
Total
195
Number of Diving (exposure) Days
(=sum divers/days)
Work
Training
Other
18
44
2 (Non diving (hyperbaric exposure training in
chambers/Tending Assist/Non diving DM/+ OD = Off Duty)
Total
78
DIVING ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, OR INCIDENTS
1. Description of all accidents, injuries, and incidents (use separate page if necessary and include
copies of applicable forms, e.g.. EPA Form 1440-9. CA-1. or CA-2).
No injuries reported. All Region 10 divers receive training during annual HAZWOPER
refreshers which covers reporting processes, including form CA-1, or worker's compensation
claims.
DIVE TRAINING
1. Describe the type of training conducted/received, and list the name, office and level of
certification for each trainee (use separate page if necessary).
Approximately $3700 was spent on dive training with FY 16 funds from the dive budget and from OMP.
Divers are current for basic first aid, CPR, AED, Oxygen Administration, neuro examinations, and the
annual 8-hour Hazwoper refresher. Most training was sponsored by our Dive unit and field operations.
($300)
For oxygen and neuro examinations, a customized Divers Alert Network irological
examination and oxygen administration training was provided to the team by in house instructor Chad
Schulze, saving cost and travel. Also, the whole unit participated in HAZWOPER refreshers due to the
polluted water nature of the majority of R10 diving support.
Region 10 hosted a full face mask technician course in December 2016 to allow our primary life support
regulators to be maintained and adjusted in house, at lower cost.
The Unit Diving Officer attended at AAUS in 2017 to learn a great deal from interacting with DSOs at
universities as well as government institutions. ($650 plus travel)
None.
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Photo: Instructor Chad Schulze works on "patient" Rob Rau to demonstrate appropriate oxygen
administration for a non breathing victim of a diving accident as Annie Whitley looks on.
2. List any training needed.
In 2017, the usual refreshers for first aid, CPR/AED and 8-hour health and safety are required
annually (or biannually) for some first aid courses.
Upcoming training includes NOAA training in May 2018 for Annie Whitley/OERA, dive trainee, as well
as DAN CPR/AED training on December 6, 2017 for the entire dive unit.
Hazwoper 40 hour training is planned for Annie Whitley in 2017.
Region 10 will be renewing our 2 day wilderness first aid in November 2018 with NOLS.
Region 10 will seek to continue its presence at AAUS conferences to benefit the dive community with
EPA dive program knowledge, as well as learn from others in matters of both scientific method and
safety.
For additional details on R10 Dive Training, see:
https://www.epa.gov/diving/diver-training
For additional details on R10 Dive Publications, see:
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https://www.epa.gov/diving/diving-publications
DIVE EQUIPMENT
Region 10's budget in 2017 included a service budget of approximately $9,000 (increase from
2016) and $13,710 (decrease from 2016) for This year, capital equipment purchases were
unfortunately unable to purchase any additional equipment improvements for safety and
productivity. Suit purchases for new divers Ainoa, Savrasov, Whitley were a major focus, as well
as backup suit replacements for Pedersen and Rau.
In service:
2 suits per diver that have completed dive training (current or pending manufacture).
1 surface supplied diving control box, 2 200 foot umbilicals, 2 300 foot umbilicals; 70 cf faber
steel EGS bottles in service, 2 50 CF EGS bottles (tagged out), 2 EGS regulators/manifold blocks.
Tethered SCUBA regulators (4 sets) plus 4 200 foot tethers, 4 300 foot tethers, 2 complete
surface tending MK7 units
5 still camera rigs (one assigned to Anne Christopher at OOO) - 2 sealife, 3 cannon still cameras
(solas assigned to each cannon).
2 verizon hotspots (Sheldrake's returned August 2017, Pedersen September 2017 as an austerity
measure to reduce working capital fund expenditures.
4 gopro assemblies with two assigned solas.
4 solas with full face mask mounts; 3 solas set up for wrist attachment.
1 bluefin camera housing and lighting for canon HD video camera that allows narration
underwater
7 in service AGAs
2 BCDs per diver (for contaminated water diving and off duty proficiency diving flexibility)
One non polluted water regulator per diver (12) -hose replacements should be considered if
capital equipment cannot replace these soon.
4 S17k suits (shared with ERT); 1 S17k helmet (ERT) for upcoming training dive.
2 complete first aid/AED/o2 kits with 2 MTV valves per kit (one in Seattle, one at the Manchester
Lab); 2 E tanks aboard Monitor, 2 spare D tanks at DOC.
2 backboards assigned to Monitor and Wooldive, one in dive ops for non EPA vessel trips.
2 DRS 100B OTS diver recall units, one located in DOC; one Manchester Lab
4 nitrox analyzers (1 in DOC, 1 in the dive van, 1 on Monitor, 1 at the Lab)
40 steel 120 nitrox tanks; 2 AL 80 in service for testing (1) and rescue tank for a trapped diver
(2); 6 AL 80s tagged out.
2 reserve air supply systems for NOAA training
1 carbon monoxide detector for air quality testing at remote locations
2 13 CF, 2 19 CF, 4 30 CF EGS bottles
4 OTS wireless units currently tagged out (they aren't sufficiently clear and would require
swapping out AGA full face mask hotmikes, which are not backwardly compatible with these
2008 units).
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REVIEW OF DIVING PERSONNEL
Name
Certification Level
1.
Sean Sheldrake
Regional Diving Officer, Divemaster
2.
Chad Schulze
Divemaster, UDO Alternate
3.
Rob Pedersen
Divemaster, UDO Alternate
4.
Lisa Macchio
Divemaster
5.
Rob Rau
Divemaster
6.
Kristin Leefers
Divemaster
7.
Adam Baron
Scientific Diver
8.
Anne Christopher
Scientific Diver (Portland, OR based)
9.
Brent Richmond
Scientific Diver (Lab/Kitsap Peninsula based)
10.
Ian Ainoa
Scientific Diver
11.
Anya Savrasov
Scientific Diver
12.
Annie Whitley
Trainee
RIO's operations with collateral duty divers are very dependent on a sufficient number of personnel to
maintain a regional dive unit capable of meeting the highest priority program needs. 10-12 divers is an
ideal size for the nominal workload asked of the dive unit over the past decade, on average.
For more information:
https://www.epa.gov/scientific-diving
https://archive.epa.gov/regionlO/diving/web/litml/
TIME SPENT ON THE NATIONAL DIVE PROGRAM
ACTIVITY (identify and describe) TIME (hours)
Assistance with the EPA Diver Training Course (1), including providing the lead instructor the
divemaster class(lesson prep: 20, class time 40) 60
Outreach on behalf of EPA dive program (Facebook. "It's all about Science" blogs, design of new
One EPA dive program web page. Flickr). 75
Performing Action Items
(Meeting Minutes/review and comment on DSM revisions, equipment recall notices) 50
Technical assistance to other units, Regions, other state & federal agencies 30
Other activities:
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-Preparation for and dive team meetings
-All team members that participated in various public
outreach, education events, including two earth day
events for 350+ children.
20
20
-Preparation for training events
-Development of polluted water protocols & SOPs. sampling techniques
30
25
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, U.S. EPA Scientific Diving Program {EPA Divers) shared a link
Washington Department of Ecology
Posted by Sean Sheldrake l ?l 5 hours ago £
ABOUT y Estuaries! Besides diving science, there is a lot you can do to help them out!
Figure: Screen shot of the EPA Divers Facebook page
Photos from the Field
¦ , J
im
Video Careers EPA Diver
Figure: 2016 rollout of the new national dive program page, maintained by R10
COST OF TRAVEL FOR NATIONAL PROGRAM
COST
List by trip:
IX for GED/ DSB & Dive training
$2000 (for trip in FY 16)
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of niymrs mp scjpmcp
SCIENTIFIC DIVING
www.epa.gov/sc ientific-diving
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ANNUAL REPORT OF DIVE TRAINING AND OPERATIONS
Diving Unit: Western Ecology Division Time Period: Oct. 2016 - Sept. 2017
ORD/NHEERL
A. DIVING ACTIVITIES
1. Dive activities during FY 2017 consisted of proficiency dives.
One diver is involved with the Oregon Coast Aquarium and conducts a number of
dives to help with aquarium maintenance on a monthly basis.
2. Location of work dive operations: None.
3. WED divers continue to have difficulty maintaining proficiency by diving at
bimonthly intervals, and overall the need to dive has lessened over the last few years
due to a shift in projects. Management still supports diving operations at the division
and divers are requalified as needed.
4. Dive Statistics:
Type of Dive
Number of Dives
Number of Exposure Days
Working
0
0
Proficiency
42
20
Training
0
0
Total
42
20
5. Dive Audit:
Self-audit completed for FY17
(Last external audit - completed in July 2011.)
B. DIVING ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, OR INCIDENTS
None
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C. DIVE TRAINING
Divers received FA/CPR/02 training in Feb. 2017. Instructors: Reichman and Mochon
Collura.
Andersen and Reichman were 're-qualified' by Mochon Collura following extended
absences from diving.
). DIVE EQUIPMENT/M
[AINTENANCE
Date
Diver
Item
Cost
14-Nov-16
Mochon Collura
BC Weight Pockets (2)
$47.90
16-Dec-16
Team
DAN FA/CPR instructor
materials
$252.08
16-Feb-17
Team
Cylinder VIS (8)
$120.00
16-Feb-17
Team
Reg. and BC annual insp.
$225.00
9-Mar-17
Team
FA/CPR cert, cards
$50.86
22-Mar-17
Team
02 cylinder refill (2)
$29.50
16-Feb-17
Team
02 regulator inspection (2)
$162.00
Total
$887.34
E. REVIEW OF DIVER PERSONNEL
Diver
Certification
Sex
Status
T Chris Mochon Collura
Divemaster, UDO
Male
Qualified
Mark Johnson
Divemaster, Alt. UDO
Male
Needs re-qual
Chris Andersen
Divemaster
Male
Qualified
Jim Kaldy
Scientific Diver
Male
Needs re-qual
Jay Reichman
Divemaster
Male
Qualified
F. TIME SPENT ON NATIONAL DIVE PROGRAM
1. Time Expenditures: hrs.
Assistance with Diver Training 0
Dive Program Audit 2
Review of Documents 8
Performing Action Items
Preparation for and Attendance at Meetings 6
Technical Assistance to other Units
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2. Fiscal (monetary) expenditures
DSB Meeting $0.00
Training at GED $0.00
Diver Physicals $2710.00
New Gear $350.84
Gear Maintenance $536.50
Gear Repair $0.00
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