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Option 2 - Exempted Diving Programs

A scientific diver from a diving program not affiliated with AAUS, NOAA, or the military can apply for permission to dive under NURC/UNCW auspices if their institution meets the OSHA commercial diving regulations exemption for scientific diving programs.

This exemption requires that the institution's scientific diving activity be based on the advancement of science. The institution must also have a diving manual, diving safety officer, and diving control board. The diving safety officer or chairperson of the home institutional diving control board shall submit a document verifying the divers training and experience (Letter of Certification), or use the Request for Diving Reciprocity Form. Each form will be reviewed by the NURC/UNCW diving safety officer to determine if diving reciprocity can be granted to the individual diver. If the center is unable to verify that the diver has sufficient training and experience for the planned diving activities, then the individual will be required to participate in a qualification program (see Option 3).

Option 2 Forms (PDF)

Diving Protocols and Forms

The University of North Carolina at Wilmington is an organizational member of the American Academy of Underwater Sciences (AAUS). To participate in NURC/UNCW–sponsored diving you must meet one of the following qualification options listed below. Note: all requisite forms are included under each subsection.

Option 1 - Direct reciprocity (for divers coming from an AAUS organizational member institution, NOAA Diving Program, or military dive training).

Option 2 - Exempted diving programs (scientific divers coming from a diving program not affiliated with AAUS, NOAA, or the military can apply for permission to dive under NURC/UNCW auspices if their institution meets the OSHA commercial diving regulations exemption for scientific diving programs).

Option 3 - Temporary diver authorization (for divers unable to meet either of the above options).

Option 4 - VIP authorization (Applicable only under special circumstances and requires prior authorization from center staff).

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