In my opinion the Association of Diving Contractors has poorly served the Industry for a number of years.  The ADC has a long history, whose proudest moment is the three man dive team.  This year I have been happy to see a change of who has the power within the ADC and believe we will see positive things coming from the ADC.  Until then I can only judge by history, not talk.

Dive Supervisor

 Let me state first, LOUD and CLEAR:  YES I HAVE MADE MISTAKES!  I am proudest of having never bent or injured a diver through my action or in-action.  My main saving grace is listening when someone tells me I’m screwing up.  Make sure you keep pressure on your divers and tenders and then listen when they speak.  They will be watching and love to point out your KA-KA. Get off the KA-Ka quick it will make life better. I know there are Supervisors that want their tenders  Neck-to-the-Deck, NOT ME.

 I want to start by telling you about a conversation I had with a young diver who felt that if he refused to run the job (Supervise) he won’t be on it.

Do you remember last year when the diver was killed in the screws of the lift-boat, well that’s the job where talking about.  I know he had the makings of a good hand, I had worked him when he had worked for us as a Lead Tender. He had left because the breakout was slow at the time and he could dive for another company. Keep in mind he had tears in his eyes as we talked.

Within just a few months they had him running jobs and he didn’t like it. BUT! You do what you got to do. The old Hand-wave you’re a Supervisor has been going on for years, I was made one that way. The truth is I don’t believe they can write a test for when the WORLD Turns To KA-KA what will he do or having the GA-WHO-LEEs to say not just NO but NO F-ING WAY!

What killed the diver and will haunt our young Diver/Supervisor for life?  He didn’t know the lift boat he was working on had the Screws on the working end and that when you turn on the Hydraulics to run the crane those screws turn. It was a simple job in shallow water, locate the line pick it up and repair it on the surface.  They had moved on to location and just touched down the pads so they wouldn’t have to pre-load.  Jumped the diver, who quickly located the line and ask for the Crane, as soon as the Hydraulics were turned on it was over was over in a heart beat. Oh what about the ADC Consensus Standards and the IMCA Guide Lines?

All the IMCA Guide Lines and ADC Consensus Standards are approved by Lawyers so they can have a way out when they are not followed.  They have NO force in a Court of LAW.  If you are a Diving Supervise get a F-ing Nut Sack because my friend it is on your shoulders.  Be ready to tell the your company, Dive Superintended, Project Manager, your wife, your Mom and God “NO”  loud and clear when any of them want you to run an UN-SAFE Dive. You are the one that is Morally and Legally Responsible.  This is not a war, it’s not Mom Apple Pie and Fourth of July!  We are working for very large and wealthy Oil Companies, to get a job done.

Yes I know their main concern is how cheap and quick you can get done. Yes I know they have all their BS mean nothing cover your ass paperwork.  If you don’t have a Nut Sack do not be a Dive Supervisor it is that simple.  The truth is sometimes my Nut Sack shrinks as well, that is why I have always kept my dive physical, keep yours! Nothing better then just doing your dive and not worrying about all the “Talk Through Both Sides of Your Neck” BS.

What the Dive and Oil Companies have not gotten yet is that all the BS Gobbledygook from the ADC and IMCA has spread CONFUSSION. They do understand it gives them cover and in truth I think that is all most of them want, cover. Just remember I did say MOST not ALL! 

John Carl Roat

Diver/Supervisor

Dive Safe: It is Profitable and Hurts Less

PS. Just so you know: I can pass the ADC written test for Supervisor but I will not take it until they have published a Study Guide. You guys do what ever you think is right. Oh yea they have still never responded to my request for scientific testing on Oyx-Arc Burning rods and procedures. God bless the ADC

 

November 9th

Hy Spalding replies:

 

        John, I agree and disagree with you.  How about that?  Dive Supervisors are not made because they can pass a test!  They are made from having been there and done that.  Knowing what can be done, how to do it, your divers capabilities, resources available and when to say no.  They are dive supervisors because they have the support of not only the company that employs them but their divers.  We all know in the companies eyes the job comes first. As any good supervisor will tell you," the divers safety comes first;" and any good supervisor will be able to bridge the differences between company wants, diver safety and mission completion.

        I made my first dive in 1970 in Subic Bay in a MKV, been diving ever since then.  Retired as BMCM/MDV.  The day I stop learning, even sometimes from a newbie, will be the day I stop diving.

 

May your ascents always equal your descents,

Hy Spalding

 

What do you think? click here to email Roat I will do my best to answer any response to the things I say. That is, if you put your name and e-mail address with it. If there is no name and e-mail address, I won’t post your e-mail and I won’t respond.  If you just want to let everyone know how you fell about what I say, without putting your name on it, post it on the discussion board. Dive Safe and Profitable John Carl Roat