the Pilots Association, a voluntary organiza- 

 tion begun in 1967, requires a person to have 

 been the pilot in command of a submersible 

 on at least five dives with one to the mini- 

 mum depth of 200 meters. The association 

 considers the following as constituting pilot 

 requirements and training: 



Experience — A solid background of sea- 

 going experience is primary, and scuba 

 diving, aircraft flying, power boat maneu- 

 vering and submarine experience are de- 

 sirable, but not necessary. Motivation and 

 demonstrated work competence are the se- 

 lecting criteria. 



Physical Requirements — Navy physical re- 

 quirements for submarines are considered 

 too stringent, but may serve as a guideline 

 for ascertaining the required good general 

 health. 



Psychological Requirements — Stability, matu- 

 rity and general reliability and compe- 

 tence should be demonstrated, if possible, 

 under actual diving operations. 



Training and Familiarization — The Candidate 



should display a working knowledge of: 

 Diving principles, submersible construc- 

 tion, operational performance and emer- 

 gency procedures; environmental limits 

 (physiological) of living in a closed environ- 

 ment; test, maintenance and overhaul pro- 

 cedures and surface support requirements 

 and procedures; small boat piloting; the 

 ocean environment; and some first aid. 



Operational Training — The Candidate mUSt 



successfully demonstrate his ability to: 

 Maneuver and launch/retrieve the sub- 

 mersible under both normal and emer- 

 gency conditions; operate all normal and 

 mission oriented equipment; perform sup- 

 port functions and maintenance; and suc- 

 cessfully deal with such environmental 

 systems emergencies as might occur in the 

 cabin (pressure capsule) when submerged. 

 The Association considers a pilot's qualifi- 

 cations to be current if he is continuously 

 and actively involved in the submersible's 

 operation. If he is not actively involved for a 

 period greater than 6 months or if a major 

 equipment change has occurred with which 

 he is not familiar he should requalify. Quali- 

 fications from one submersible design to an- 

 other are not transferable. Annual physical 



examinations are required and age, by itself, 

 is not a disqualifying factor. 



Operational Safety 



Owing to the controls which can be and 

 generally are applied, the prospects of a sub- 

 mersible getting into trouble due to material 

 failure and operator incompetence are un- 

 likely. On the other hand, the lack of opera- 

 tional experience and the gross nature of our 

 basic oceanographic knowledge provide am- 

 ple opportunity for at-sea mishaps. (See 

 Chapter 14.) 



By direction of OPNAVINST 9290.2 series 

 the naval users of submersibles are held 

 responsible for assuring non-interference 

 with surfaced or submerged shipping in the 

 projected operations area. They must evalu- 

 ate environmental conditions which may af- 

 fect communications and the operation and 

 must insure that dates, times, locations, de- 

 scription of the submersible and support ship 

 and the nature of the operation are pub- 

 lished in the appropriate Notice to Mariners. 

 Additionally they must, through the Com- 

 mander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic 

 Fleet, reserve an area of operations that 

 precludes interference with Naval opera- 

 tions. Along with the above information they 

 must also submit to the Chief of Naval Oper- 

 ations (OP-23) the mission objectives, de- 

 tailed plan of activities, rescue and salvage 

 plans, area assignments and communication 

 plans. The operational safety aspects of sub- 

 mersible certification are a consideration al- 

 most equally as detailed and demanding as 

 material certification to the naval user. In- 

 deed, as more submersibles are used and as 

 more attention is focused on this area, certi- 

 fication of operational safety shows every 

 indication of assuming equal importance. 



Full Naval Certification is not only costly 

 but time-consuming. It can take from several 

 months to several years, and the prospective 

 user must be prepared well in advance for 

 problems of variety and complexity, both 

 with hardware and personalities. 



AMERICAN BUREAU OF 

 SHIPPING CLASSIFICATION 



Classification by the American Bureau of 

 Shipping (ABS) is voluntary and represents 



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