DESIGN for saturation (bell) diving systems

Summary

This document addresses various aspects of a saturation diving system as utilised within the offshore diving industry.

The aim of the document is to provide a comprehensive reference source addressing the philosophy of what equipment and layout is required for a safe saturation diving operation plus the examination, test and certification requirements necessary to meet agreed industry practice. This will apply anywhere in the world being:

• outside the territorial waters of most countries (normally 12 nautical miles or 22.22 kilometres from shore)
  OR
• inside territorial waters where offshore diving, normally in support of the oil & gas or renewable/ alternative energy industries, is being carried out. Specifically excluded are diving operations being conducted in support of civil, inland, inshore or harbour works or in any case where operations are not conducted from an offshore structure, vessel or floating structure normally associated with offshore oil & gas or renewable/alternative energy industry activities.

This document is intended to assist the following, among others:

• manufacturers and suppliers of diving plant and equipment
• diving contractors commissioning new build diving systems
• personnel involved in diving operations
• vessel owners and marine crews involved with diving operations
• staff involved in the maintenance, repair, testing or certification of plant and equipment
• DESIGN for Saturation (Bell) Diving Systems Diving Equipment Systems Inspection
  client and contractor representatives
• diving system auditors
• all personnel involved in quality assurance (QA) and safety
• concession holders or operators who have a duty of care.

IMCA has included recommendations in areas where there is a difficult balance between commercial considerations and safety implications. It is recognised, however, that safety must never be compromised for any reason.

Contents

Part 1 – Guidance

• Introduction
• List of Acronyms
• The Competent Person
• Responsibilities
• Planned Maintenance Systems (PMS)
• Key Features of this Document
• Completing the Document
• References

Part 2 – Detail Sheets

• Section 1 – General Safety
• Section 2 – Dive Control
• Section 3 – Surface Compression Chamber
• Section 4 – Bell Launch and Recovery System
• Section 5 – Diving Bell
• Section 6 – Life Support Control
• Section 7 – Main Bell Umbilical
• Section 8 – Diver Heating System
• Section 9 – Divers’ Umbilicals
• Section 10 – Divers’ Personal Equipment
• Section 11 – Compressors, Pumps, etc.
• Section 12 – High Pressure Gas Storage
• Section 13 – Diver Gas Reclaim
• Section 14 – Chamber Gas Reclaim and Purification
• Section 15.1 – General – HES System
• Section 15.2 – HRU Interface with Dive System
• Section 15.3 – Hyperbaric Rescue Unit (HRU)
• Section 15.4 – HRU Launch and Recovery System

Version History

• October 2024, Rev. 3.4 – October 2024, Rev. 2.3 – Items added to Part 2 Sections 11 (5.10) and 12 (4.3)
• July 2024, Rev. 3.3 – Lifting terminology updated per IMCA Information Note nr. 1665
• November 2023, Rev. 3.2 – References to withdrawn AODC documents have been updated to current relevant IMCA references; references in Part 2 to appendices in D051 have been corrected
• August 2022, Rev. 3.1 – Updated to align with the guidance contained in IMCA LR 001/‌HSSE 022/ M 194. Text of item dealing with diver emergency gas supply (bail-out) endurance slightly amended for clarity.
• December 2021, Rev. 3 – Updated to clarify any anomalies and bring the guidance into alignment with current industry good practice.
• July 2014, Rev. 2 – Updated to align the document with IMCA D 018, D 023 and D 053.  Section 15 split into four sub-sections and Section 16 on life support packages added.
• March 2013, Rev. 1 – Revised and updated to incorporate equipment improvements and changed operating practices since initial publication.
• 2001 – Initial publication.