The Board of Directors wants to personally thank our Representatives and Advisors. We do understand the courage it requires to let the Commercial Diving world know who you are and where you stand.
The Divers Association will be meeting with US Congressman Jim McDermott (D Washington) and his staff, on July 2, 2012 to review the status of the upcoming public hearings regarding the Proposed Revisions of the USCG commercial diving regulations.
I am asked this following question all the time, "What is this Executive Advisory Committee all about?" Divers and Supervisors have never had a place at the table when diver safety and regulation is being discussed. We now have a Table and we are not going to leave any serious voice un-invited to our table. Part of being left out is our own fault: Our Only Tell Them What They Want To Hear Attitude!
The people on this Advisory Committee will be asked if they see any problem with any regulation or safety measure we want implemented. They have no vote; it will be the Divers Association International's decision on what to go forward with but we will definitely consider what they say! The Divers Association will respond to any question they may have, join any committee, they might suggest, dealing with diver safely or regulation.
These Groups Accepted a position on our Executive Advisory Committee: Pile Divers Union US, The United States Coast Guard (They have also have placed their active Diving Inspectors in touch with the Board of Directors, US Navy NAVSEA (Diving) is providing a Liaison to the committee. The RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers) has provided a Advisor and a Diver field Representative, the Canadian Navy has provided a Senior Diver as a Representative.
We are Under consideration by: The OGP Dive Safety Sub-Committee, BOEM (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management US Gov) and Det Norske Vertas (DNV). Our Australian Representative has held meetings with the MUA (Maritime Union of Australia) and they are considering joining the committee and supporting our effort.
Rejection of invitations: Both the ADCI and IMCA have formally turned us down. Both organizations did phrase this in a polite manner and gave the impression they were taking a "wait and see" position. They were both thanked and let know that the invitation remains open.
No Response: OSHA has received an invitation but we have had no response. CADC and DCBC (Canada) have received invitations as well with no response as yet.
We are approaching 600 members. If you have not yet joined the Effort do so:
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
The Divers Association is a Non-profit International Organization formed for the sole purpose of promoting commercial diving safety through regulation and education.
It is not Anti, or Pro any Diving Contractor Association, Client Association or Union. It will not involve itself in pay or employment issues.
The sole purpose of The Divers Association is to work closely with Regulatory Bodies and groups involved in defining and implementing standards of Diver Safety, and in educating Customers who contract diving services. It will offer a means for input from independent working divers and supervisors who are currently involved in diving operations.
The Divers Association will cooperate with all groups that have the goal of improving diver safety.
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