On the morning of 28 September 2023, a recreational diver carrying out decompression stops died, almost certainly as a result of being struck by the rotating propeller of the UK registered diving support boat Karin. The diver had been diving from a second dive boat that was also supporting divers exploring the wreck of the German battleship SMS Markgraf, which was lying at a depth of 45m in Scapa Flow, Orkney Islands, Scotland.
Safety Issues
– The need to maintain an effective lookout at all times while a vessel is underway is vital when operating near people in the water, such as around dive boats. Posting a dedicated lookout in an appropriate location is essential to make sure the helm/skipper receives timely warnings of surfacing divers and allow for effective avoiding action.
– The need for detailed and frequent communication between operators when multiple boats intend to operate in the same area. This coordination is crucial to ensure deconfliction and prevent accidents.
– Following good practice guidance for correct handling of a delayed surface marker buoy (DSMB) by divers is essential. As recommended by the British Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC), divers should hold the DSMB line in their hand rather than attaching it to their person. This practice ensures that if the DSMB is snagged by a passing craft the diver can release the line to avoid entanglement and the risk of being pulled to the surface or into contact with the vessel.
Recommendation
The British Diving Safety Group is recommended (S2024/114) to disseminate this safety bulletin to all organisations and agencies within its membership drawing attention to the safety issues raised, in particular:
– that owners, operators and skippers of diving support boats should ensure compliance with COLREGs Rule 5 concerning provision of a lookout, especially when operating in proximity to divers in the water.
– to raise awareness among its members of the hazards to divers of attaching a DSMB to their person while submerged, and that the recognised good practice is for the reel to be held in their hand.
Related publication
The Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972 as amended (COLREGs)
Download the safety bulletin PDF:Fatal injury to recreational diver after contact diving support boat Karin