Are there any regulations in Singapore that requires diving company to collect the debris or marine growth that been cleaned?
At present, there is a current lack of environmental compliance regarding collection of debris from In-Water Hull Cleaning in the Singapore port. However the authorities are fully cognizant of the impending need for compliance and we do expect that this would be introduced in the near future.
How to check forged certificates?
It is recommended that all Employers carry out verification checks on the manpower hired regardless if the prospective staff is to be engaged on a permanent basis or for a single project.
The best and most effective way to check if a certificate is legitimate is to contact the source of certificate issuance.
In Singapore, there are currently 2 training schools that are accredited to conduct MOM L1-4 courses. For verification of certificates, you may contact the training institutions directly.
For ADCI, ADAS, CIDB, DOL, INPP, IMCA and other recognised certificates as per the MOM list of acceptable diving certificates, you may get in touch with the organisations at the below email addresses / weblinks:
ADCI - [email protected].
ADAS - [email protected]
CIDB - [email protected]
DOL - [email protected]
INPP - [email protected]
IMCA - https://www.imca-int.com/certification/verify/
Who is responsible to provide the AED during the diving work?
The diving contractor is responsible to provide an AED at the diving worksite, regardless of whether the worksite has an AED as part of other regulations that a client or worksite needs to comply with.
Who is responsible for establishing Diving work ERP? Diving contractor or the client who engage the diving contractor?
The diving contractor is responsible for establishing ERP after pre-work discussions and an assessment of the worksite.
How do dive teams verify that LOTO of the ship equipment has been done prior to diving? Do dive teams place their own locks to prevent accidental actuation?
Prior to commencing an engagement, competent representatives or the diving supervisor will board the said vessel for a pre-job and safety meeting. This is where the LOTO will be discussed and agreed upon. Thereafter, the diving company representative or the diving supervisor will follow the vessel's Chief Engineer to engine room to physically see that LOTOs on potential systems that when energised, has a high likelihood of causing injuries, are put in place and keys to such locks are kept with the representative or diving supervisor.
Dive teams can also add on their own locks or put up safety placards on all of such systems that have been LOTO as an additional security measures.
Diving course from KBA under IMCA or ADAS. Are these course certificates valid for use in Singapore or also overseas?
There are a myriad of courses, both inshore and offshore courses being carried out by training institutions in Singapore. For more information of courses, kindly reach out to theses training institutions directly.
Given some diving companies was penalized by the authorities, what was the penalties enforced to owners and agents that engaged affected diving companies?
Enforcement actions could be taken by MOM against ship owners or agents that failed to conduct the basic checks on the diving contractors engaged by them.
The checks included ascertaining that :
(a) the diving contractor conducted a risk assessment and prepared a dive plan for the diving operation;
(b) the diving contractor has a minimum dive operation team as per ACOP SS511:2018; and
(c) the dive operation team members have the relevant commercial diving and first aid certifications.
What is the role of Shipping agent to be exact in order that it comply with WSH Act set out by MOM. What should we look out for?
The ship owner or agent, as a Principal, is required to ensure the diving contractor has the necessary expertise and put in place adequate measures to carry out the diving work safely, as mentioned in Qn. 7's answer.
If errant diving companies are being issued with SWO by MOM, are vessel agents and owners informed to ensure we do not unknowingly hire these diving companies?
Ship owners and agents can refer to the following MOM websites to check a diving contractor's WSH performance, and if the diving contractor has been issued with any SWO:
- CheckSafe : https://www.mom.gov.sg/workplace-safety-and-health/checksafe
- List of companies under 'Business Under Surveillance' (BUS) programme : https://www.mom.gov.sg/workplace-safety-and-health/monitoring-and-surveillance/business-under-surveillance-programme
- List of companies issued with SWO: https://www.mom.gov.sg/workplace-safety-and-health/monitoring-and-surveillance/demerit-point-system
CSCUBA courses recognised by IMCA or ADAS?
Currently there is no recognition between these associations - however IMCA has stated in the Diving Information Note 1609 the MoM contact for verification of certifications and it is for Inland Inshore diving only.
Foreign diving first aid acceptable or not in Singapore
Foreign DFAC is currently acceptable in Singapore.
Occupational First Aid taken overseas. Are they valid here in Singapore?
Only the Occupational First Aid Course conducted by Learning Service Providers certified to ISO-29993, by Certification Bodies accredited by the Singapore Accreditation Council is valid in Singapore.
Diving supervisor course from south Africa DOL why not accepted by Mom. Is there any obligation or requirement?
One key consideration for inclusion of a certification into the list is whether it is issued by a commercial diving institute or school approved by the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA), or Health Safety Executive (HSE), United Kingdom.
Is there any guidelines to follow for acceptable diving first aid?
DFAC shall include training on administering oxygen and managing diving injuries/illnesses.
If bunkering on both side of vessel. Can diving team still work? What is the rule in place for this?
It is common knowledge that conducting diving operations simultaneously with other operations would mean that vessel crew on board are managing multiple separate operations at the same time. This would increase the risk of lapses occurring that may lead to an incident on site.
Despite there being no rules in place for this, it is NOT recommended to carry out such operations unless there is no alternative a comprehensive Job Safety Analysis, Hazard identification and Risk Assessment is being carried out and parties are all aligned on the sim-ops.
Does u/w rov cleaning machine can operate at 2 knots. If so, how the umbilicals is considered about dragging?
There is no free flying ROV that is capable to operate in 2 knots current. Some crawler ROV claim it is possible but have not personally witness it will work in those condition yet. Umbilical is the major drag to operate in those condition, thus ROV designer always try to keep it as small as possible.
CSCUBA courses recognised by IMCA or ADAS?
Currently there is no recognition between these associations - however IMCA has stated in the Diving Information Note 1609 the MoM contact for verification of certifications and it is for Inland Inshore diving only.
There are more than 50 diving companies in sg. How many are audit by CDAS? Companies that are not members, any action to them?
Diving companies are encouraged to join CDAS and will become members only after a successful audit of an applicant company. In order words, all current CDAS diving company members have been audited.
Diving companies who are not members of CDAS can continue to operate for now but CDAS is working closely with the relevant authorities to further tighten controls to ensure safety standards are being maintained.
How far are we away from hull cleaning robotic ROVs becoming autonomous? What are the challenges faced in making them autonomous?
There are autonomous ROV already operational but these are the transit cleaning ROV with no in-water capture system. Thus it is creating bio-fouling in open water.
Does u/w ROVs cleaning machine supports real-time positioning to monitor areas that had been cleaned and areas being clean?
Yes, but not with stability and accuracy as per on land GPS. With traditional acoustic method, such shallow water depth and huge metal hull structure will cause a lot of reflection thus the position will be jumping a lot. Wheel encoder will be hinder by slippage cause of bio-fouling slim. DVL will be hinder by particles etc discharge from hull cleaning. So yes, we can roughly tell what the ROV is on the hull but it can only used as a positional reference rather than for proof of hull hull-cleaned area.
If Diver done diving First Aid Course. Diver After why need to do Occupational First Aid Course?
There are differences in the syllabus of OFAC and DFAC. Hence, both are still relevant.
However, CDAS is aware of feedback from diving contractors that the requirement of the entire team being trained in OFAC may be an overkill and are currently in discussions with the relevant agencies to tweak and fine tune this.
If a Dive tender is non diver but company appointed dive tender. Is he need to do diving first aid and OFAC?
Appointed dive tenders are usually trained divers. Should this individual not be a diver, the company must ensure that he has the requisite training and knowledge to perform his duties as a dive tender.
In accordance with the ACOP SS511:2018, it still remains that all members of the dive team must have a valid OFAC and DFAC and that extends to also the dive tenders.
Why no MOM Technical Note for diving first aid to follow while OFAC have a Technical Note.
Currently DFAC is not certified to ISO 29993:2017, unlike OFAC. Thus no Technical Note is available for DFAC. Nonetheless, DFAC shall include training on administering oxygen and managing diving injuries/illnesses as stipulated in SS511.