IMO Suggestion

All;

We need to seriously consider this one!

True, with a voice in a world-wide organisation it's a grand start. I for one say go for it.

Sounds like a good plan, provided there is nothing hidden there.

Sounds like a good plan, provided there is nothing hidden there.

I agree with Hal...sounds great but needs checking out!

Unfortunately application to join has to be completed before March 31st. for consideration at their annual meet in June so we will have to wait until next year.

The list of NGOs is very eclectic...World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace to Salvage and various professional maritme bodies.

Of particular interest to me is the inclusion off two Insurance associations. I have always thought that Insurance companies are an important but seldom mentioned part of the diving industry because they are the body who pay out compensation when there is an injury or a fatality. It is manifestly in their interests to support safe diving practises as a preventative measure.

A long time ago I recommended to a civils diving company in Scotland, who were being continually undercut by single amateur scuba divers when bidding for fish farm contracts, that they approach the Client's insurance company and request that they include in the policy a waiver on any claims for injury or fatality to divers who were either not professionally qualified and/or who did not follow HSE recommended safe diving ACOPS. They readily agreed and the situation was sorted. I should add that two of these scuba divers were killed within a few weeks just prior to this!

I am also aware from personal experience just how much influence on the conduct of an offshore diving company, when a fatality occurs, that these insurance associations have.

The opportunity to consult and engage in dialogue with these asociations, as an NGO of the IMO, on diving safety issues should be invaluable and cannot be underestimated. It might well prove to be a fast track to implementation of safe diving practises recommended by the Divers Association International.

The US coastguard are to be congratulated on both this suggestion and on their offer of collaboration with the DAI!