Canadian Association of Diving Contractors

DIVING INDUSTRY CALLS FOR A SINGLE HARMONIZED DIVING STANDARD ACROSS CANADA.

As I compose this message, we are almost ready to head to press with this Summer 2021 edition of CADC Magazine, and the underwater services industry in Canada—and elsewhere—is ramping up to potentially be a remarkably busy year. A quick survey of our members recently revealed, in most cases, a feeling of hope and optimism about the business future.

The pandemic is the elephant (or the bowhead whale, for us nautical types) in the room, of course, for all of us with concern for its daily effect on absolutely everything we do. With vaccine inoculations increasing daily in all sectors, there is also that glimmering feeling of hope and optimism for the light at the end of a long, dark tunnel, of getting back to something that resembles a “new normal.” After a year of operating in such an environment, our industry has uniquely adapted to progress to just that.

As we look to that future, we also reflect on initiatives we started. Five years ago, both the Canadian Association of Diving Contractors and the Diver Certification Board of Canada called for a single harmonized diving standard across Canada. They were unanimous in pushing for nationwide implementation of a single diving standard based on the current CSA Standard Z275.2 (Diving Operations) and Z275.4 (Diving Competency). What happened in those five years? Have we made progress on this? CADC Magazine interviews Canadian Association of Diving Contractors (CADC) President Dave Geddes, CADC Executive Director Doug Elsey, and DCBC Executive Director / CEO David Parkes on the matter. Flip to page 16 for an update on our efforts.

Whomever had the nerve to say women should be seen and not heard never worked in our industry. Whether they are harvesting food from the sea, diving underwater to salvage wrecks and to repair and maintain structures, managing day-to-day operations onsite, or leading training at dive schools, we celebrate the talented female divers, CFOs, business managers, and engineers who make our industry a great one to work in. Flip to page 25 and dive into Hear Them Roar: Celebrating Women in the Diving Industry.

Dominion Diving Ltd. is our featured CADC member this issue. Founded in 1969 and based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, the company has earned a solid reputation for pushing the limits and extremes of marine innovation throughout its history. Not only that, but the company’s team members are also the stars of the Discovery Channel’s reality TV show Lords of the Ocean. It’s a great piece of entertainment if you have time to check it out. In the meantime, turn to page 33 to get a glimpse of what the company specializes in.

Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR) is the acknowledgement of competencies obtained through formal training and prior work experience. Assessment is conducted at the level indicated by the candidate’s training and experience. It must take place at, or under supervision of, a diver training establishment or assessment organization accredited by the Diver Certification Board of Canada (DCBC) at the level of the assessment. On page 29, you’ll find Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition: Benefits & Drawbacks. This article by David Parkes, DCBC, explores why PLAR is offered, how it is done, and the benefits and drawbacks.

One of the most important steps of any job is choosing a diving company. Employing an underwater contractor ignorant of current safety standards and regulations can expose the employer to serious (and expensive) civil and criminal liability in case of an accident. Bill C-45 of the Criminal Code of Canada states it is the legal duty of employers and those directing work to take reasonable measures to protect employee and public safety. If this duty is disregarded and bodily harm or death results, a company could be charged with criminal negligence. Turn to page 31 to find out if it’s worth the risk (it’s not!) in this article by Doug Elsey, executive director of the CADC.

In 2017, the CADC introduced the Diving Safety Self-Audit Program to provide a way for CADC members to demonstrate they are working in a safe manner and complying with the CSA diving standards. Dave Geddes, CADC president and chair of the CSA sub-committee for the Competency Standard for Diving Operations, Clinical Chamber Operators and ROV Personnel, will update readers on the CADC’s new diving safety self-audit based on the new Diving Operations Standard Z275.2-20.

We are again forging ahead into a challenging year. Indicators are there is hope and optimism on the horizon. Stay the course. Be proactive in your efforts to make a positive difference. And, most of all, stay safe and be kind in thought and deed.

We’ve got this. Suit up!

Download Link: CADC MAG SUMMER 2021 FINAL HYPERLINKED SM

ONLINE VERSION AT: http://flip.matrixgroupinc.net/cadb/2021/summer/

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