nderWater The Official Publication of the Association of Diving Contractors International Repair Demolition A LookatNew Mask Technology Th e Guardian
November/December 2011
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475686_Denso.indd 1 7/21/10 4:46:12 PM NOVEMBER • DECEMBER 2011 INSIDE VOLUME XXIV, NUMBER VI
The official publication of the Association of Diving Contractors International FEATURES
14 WWII Liberty Ship Davy Crockett Demolition Completed Oil Spill Averted from Derelict Vessel in Columbia River 16 Underwater Repair of a Bulk Freighter 28 The Guardian A Look at New Mask Technology 32 Carbon Monoxide - Challenges Met and Challenges Still Faced 34 Purisima Comes Home 36 Track Chairmen for Underwater Intervention 2012
14 DEPARTMENTS
8 Board of Directors 11 President’s Message Bill Crowley 12 Executive Director’s Message Phil Newsum 45 Index to Advertisers 16
To contribute articles and photography to UnderWater magazine, please contact Sean Garrity at 800-369-6220 ext 3442 or [email protected]. Subscribe to UnderWater magazine at www.underwatermagazine.com.
ADCI Online Buyers’ Guide When looking for trusted suppliers and services, our members turn to newGear the official Association of Diving Contractors International Online Buyers’ Guide. Available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, the newly redesigned Online Buyers’ Guide allows members to find the products and services 38 they need quickly and easily. Visit our Online Buyers’ Guide today at adci.officialbuyersguide.net.
www.adc-int.org ■ www.underwatermagazine.com UnderWater 7
475686_Denso.indd 1 7/21/10 4:46:12 PM ADCI BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President Jack Vilas Bill Crowley Jack Vilas Associates Cal Dive International Associate Member, BOD General Member, BOD
Connie Morgan 1st Vice President Kirby Morgan Dive Systems Mike Willis International Global Industries, Ltd. Associate Member, BOD General Member, BOD
Gary Maines 2nd Vice President Broco, Inc. Craig Fortenbery Associate Member, BOD Mainstream Commercial Divers General Member, BOD Bruce Trader Madcon Corporation General Member, BOD Treasurer Robbie Minstretta Divers Supply, Inc. Bryan Nicholls Associate Member, BOD Neptune Underwater Executive Committee Services (USA), LLC General Member, BOD
Mike Brown Epic Divers and Marine William Castle General Member, BOD W.J. Castle, P.E. and Gulf Coast Chapter Chairman Associates PC Executive Committee General Member, BOD East Coast Chapter Chairman ™ Claudio Castro STs Chilean Chapter Douglas Truxillo, Esq. Chairman Onebane, Bernard, et al Executive Committee Legal Advisor
Executive Director Tom Ulrich Phil Newsum American Marine Executive Committee Western Chapter Chairman International Representative
Luis Giampietri Ramos Jay Crofton Lufesa Divers S.C.R.L. Crofton Diving Corp. Latin American and Caribbean General Member, BOD
Chapter Chairman Tim Beaver Rich Riley Global Diving & Salvage Marion Hill Associates, Inc. General Member, BOD Midwest Chapter Chairman
David Reser Randy Davis Infrastructure Engineers, Inc. Borneo Subsea, Malaysia General Member, BOD Asia-Pacific Chapter
8 UnderWater 537591_Moog.indd 1 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 6/27/11 11:30:13 AM nderWater
THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF DIVING CONTRACTORS INTERNATIONAL
November • December 2011 Volume XXIV, Number VI Published for ASSOCIATION OF DIVING CONTRACTORS INTERNATIONAL 5206 FM 1960 W. Suite 202 Houston, TX 77069 281-893-8388, Fax 281-893-5118 www.adc-int.org
Published by
Naylor, LLC 5950 NW 1st Place, Gainesville, FL 32607 800-369-6220, Fax: 352-331-3525 www.naylor.com Publisher: Kathleen Gardner Executive Editorial Committee: Bill Crowley, [email protected] Phil Newsum, [email protected] Rebecca Roberts, [email protected] Managing Editor: Sean Garrity [email protected] Director of National Accounts: Melissa Zawada Advertising Sales Director: Jamie Williams Marketing Associate: Rebecca Wentworth Account Representatives: Jeff Bunkin, Krys D’Antonio, Shaun Greyling, Shane Holt, Chris Zabel 900 kHz HDS image Layout and Design: Irene Pohoreçka of the UnderWater magazine (USPS 010-562) (ISSN 10726098) is published bi-monthly by Naylor, LLC, 5950 NW 1st Place, Gainesville, FL 32607, on behalf Oconee River, of the Association of Diving Contractors International, Inc, 5206 FM 1960 W, Suite 202, Houston, TX 77069. Periodical Postage paid at Gainesville, FL and at Montgomery County, additional mailing offi ces. Postmaster: Send address changes to UnderWater magazine, c/o Naylor, LLC Georgia 5950 NW 1st Place, Gainesville, FL 32607.
© 2011 Naylor, LLC. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced by any means, in whole or in part, without the prior written consent of the publisher. Marine Sonic Technology, Ltd. Published October 2011 White Marsh, Virginia ADC-S0611/5316 www.marinesonic.com www.underwatermagazine.com 804-693-9602
■ UnderWater 9 478385_Marine.indd www.adc-int.org 1 www.underwatermagazine.com 5/12/10 8:52:35 PM 6OEFSXBUFS8FU.BUFBCMF&MFDUSJDBM$POOFDUPST
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10 UnderWater 536964_Lexmar.indd 1NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 6/27/11 12:51:33 PM A MESSAGE FROM THE ADCI PRESIDENT ■ BILL CROWLEY
REMEMBER THE JOKE about how one gets to Carnegie Hall? Practice, practice, practice. How do you become an experienced senior diver? You guessed it. This is the “Repair and Demolition Issue” a very important facet of what we do in this industry. As a matter of fact, the skills used in repair and demolition projects are among our most basic, including rigging, burning and use of other underwater tools. Theoretically, all commercial divers have been trained in the techniques and tools utilized in repair and demolition, but like all skills everything takes practice and discipline in order to be good at it. All the inspection and reporting skills you have read about or have been taught are required, including use of UW video inspection, UW photography, rulers, incline measure- ments, depth indicators, NDT gear and fabrication skills. I do not want to forget to mention underwater burning and welding and hydraulic and pneumatic tools and skills. With each skill set comes terminology specific to a project. Make sure you are describing what you see with proper terminology before you enter the water. I have been on projects where the inexperienced diver refers to the bilge keel as the rail line on the side of the ship…Excuse me, where are you and what are you looking at? I remember once when a diver was asked to describe the condition of an underwater tunnel structural brick work. The diver paused and stated he saw bricks, “lots of @#$%$#@& bricks!” When prompted to describe the grout between the bricks, he responded with, “Yep, lots of grout.” Then the questions began. I will always remember the look of the supervisor and the client’s engineer just before we were instructed to bring the diver back to the surface. To be an exceptional diver requires dedication and the willingness to do your best at all times; this includes being safe and being informed. Yes, safety always plays a big part of one’s behavior on the dive-site; with safety comes familiarization on what you are tasked to do and how to best describe what you see in order to meet the requirements of the job. If you are diving on a dam, a ship, a pipeline, a platform or a pier, learn the proper terminology of what you are working on. Clear communication between the diver and the surface can make the project run a great deal smoother. In September, the industry lost another great member, I am sorry to report the passing of a friend and one of my mentors, Dr. R.W. “Bill” Hamilton. Among his my accomplish- ments I need to mention he was the director of Union Carbide’s Diving Research Laboratory in Tarrytown, N.Y. Many of the decompression tables used in commercial diving industry today were created and or fine tuned in his laboratory. The industry will miss this man. Remember to make plans to attend Underwater Intervention 2012 in New Orleans on January 24 – 26, 2012. It is always a good time to see old friends, make new friends and see new equipment and technology. See you there!
Be safe and always do the right thing! Happy Holidays to all!
Bill Crowley
www.adc-int.org ■ www.underwatermagazine.com UnderWater 11 A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ■ PHIL NEWSUM
THE FOCUS OF MY MESSAGE for this edition revolves around the impor- tance of companies becoming more transparent with the reporting of incidents that occur during diving operations. Recently, I reported out to the Oil and Gas Producers’ Diving Industry Work Group on a diving fatality and illness involving two divers from a company in the international sector. The ADCI report was based on information that was provided by the ADCI General Member Company involved. After initial reports were received from a third party in June 2011, the ADCI requested a full report from the company. The company report outlined details which did not indicate that the fatality and ill- ness were the result of operational or equipment deficiencies on the part of the contractor. Despite the fact that the company had not self reported the fatality, as required by the ADCI Consensus Standards for Commercial Diving and Underwater Operations for General Members, the Association was intent on ensuring that accurate information be provided to industry stakeholders, as well as affording the contractor the benefit of any doubts sur- rounding the incident. This report submitted by the ADCI was to be confirmed through further information, to be obtained from a visit to the country where the incident took place.
Background: The initial report that was submitted by the contractor was detailed, and stipulated that further investigation and tests would need to be conducted to determine the actual cause behind the fatality. It was suspected by the contractor that possibly environmental factors (contaminants in the water column) were the cause behind the fatality of one diver and the illness of the other diver. Several months later a follow up report was requested by ADCI to determine if subsequent investigations had determined the factors behind the fatality and illness of the two divers. The contractors provided this report, which indicated that envi- ronmental factors likely played a part in the incident. Both the initial and follow up report were not supported by any official third party or investigative agency documents. However, the ADCI had no reason to suspect at the time that the details, which were provided by the contractor, had not accurately depicted the incident.
Conclusion: Upon my visit to the country, it was immediately revealed through a safety report by the country’s Oil and Gas Operators Association, that the details provided by the contractor did not accurately reflect the factors, which lead to the fatality. Further, the video of the incident supported the fact that there were several operational deficiencies, which stood in the way of possibly mitigating the occurrence of fatality itself. Fatalities and other catastrophic accidents are tragic enough, without being further complicated through the report of misinformation from other entities or the contractors involved. Had there been more transparency on the part of the contractor, the sole focus could have been on how to possibly prevent such an unfortunate incident from reoccurring in the future. Instead, we now have to address the additional issue of omitting information, as well as the reporting of false information. This incident and commentary were provided with the hope that all contractors realize the value of staying ahead of any speculation or suspicion through the factual and prompt reporting of incidents. Remember; a set of guidelines or certification scheme can only assure as much safety as the culture and behaviors evidenced by a company. Be Safe.
Phil Newsum
12 UnderWater NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011
552512_OCEANEERING.indd 1 9/17/11 12:33:14 AM 552512_OCEANEERING.indd 1 9/17/11 12:33:14 AM Demolition WWII Liberty Ship Davy Crockett
Oil Spill Averted from Derelict Vessel in Columbia River
CAMAS, WA AUGUST 25, 2011 The final section of a once proud WWII Liberty Ship was removed from the Columbia River today by Ballard Diving & Salvage under the direction of the United States Coast Guard and unified command consisting of both Washington and Oregon Department of Ecologies. This concludes a massive and carefully engineered effort to prevent more than 32,000 gallons of bunker oil from escaping into the river from the various double-bottom tanks and other holds containing the decades old bunker fuel harboring the sticky black substance. During the 211-day operation, crews from the prime contractor Ballard Diving & Salvage removed 4.45 million pounds of steel, and another 824,822 pounds of debris, including wire, bricks and oiled sorbent materials and 1.6 million gallons of oil and or otherwise contaminated water. All recovered materials were taken off-site for proper disposal. The operation involved stabilizing the vessel and containment of the pollution threat. When local facilities were unavailable for deconstruction a cofferdam containment was erected. The Davy could finally be deconstructed in the water. Snow, near record river levels and high river currents due to abnormally heavy spring runoff and often zero visibility created a challenging environment for the many commercial divers involved in the operation. BDS is very pleased with the company’s stellar Ballard Diving & Salvage Diver headed to decontamination station safety record completing a very challenging and dangerous project.
14 UnderWater NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 Aerial photo of operation during peak of demolition project.
The estimated federal cost for the response is approximately $20 million. The response is funded by monies from the National Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund.
Event History On Jan. 27, 2011, Washington and Oregon Ecology(s) tracked a 14-mile sheen back to the Davy Crockett, moored near the shoreline at Camas, Wash. The vessel was believed to have been weakened by scrapping activities that likely caused it to buckle and partially sink. The partial sinking released an estimated 70 gallons of oil. Unsure of how large the pollution threat may be the USCG federalized the response when the owner stated he could not financially afford the clean up. A Unified Command to oversee the emergency response was formed. In February 2011, Adm. Robert Papp, Commandant of the Coast Guard, authorized the destruction of the Davy Crockett to address the threat of continued hazardous discharges into the river. In April 2011, A sheet pile cofferdam was erected to fully encircle the Davy Crockett for its demolition. Internally it was lined with an impermeable silt barrier and additional sorbent materials to collect any oil that escaped during the response. The project obtained all Another section of the vessel rises from the water necessary environmental permits. Throughout the project water and sediments samples have been taken to monitor the site. Ballard Diving & Salvage is a worldwide marine salvage and wreck While demolition is done, crews from Ballard Diving and Salvage removal company based in Seattle, Washington with a history of taking will continue to collect steel chunks and operate the water filtration on technically demanding projects for government and private clients. system inside the cofferdam. Sediment cleanup inside the cofferdam BDS responds to emergencies around the world utilizing a network of will follow before the sheet pile walls are removed. expert salvage professionals and equipment portals around the world.
www.adc-int.org ■ www.underwatermagazine.com UnderWater 15 Repair Underwater of a Bulk Repair Freighter BY UWE W. ASCHEMEIER AND KEVIN S. PETERS
The Accident It was in the morning hours of February 4, 2010 when a loud and violent impact woke up the sleeping crew and officers on board. The impact was so hard, it left the vessel with deformed hull plating and 15 ruptures and tears in the bow section of the hull below the water line, ranging from holes as small as four inches in diameter to a 24 foot long and 1 foot wide rupture. Four days prior to the accident, the bulk freighter left New Orleans to sail to China loaded with thousands of tons of soy beans. The trip ended abruptly when the fully loaded vessel hit the breakwater wall on the Atlantic side of the Panama Canal. With the possibility the freighter would sink and cause a major interruption to the operation of the Panama Canal, the ship was towed to the inner anchorage of the Port of Colon, Panama.
16 UnderWater NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 First Assessment A local dive contractor performed a damage assessment by diving inside the vessel and suggested a repair by sealing off all the tears and ruptures in the hull plating from the outside of the vessel by installing cofferdams. The repairs would then be performed from the inside after the water was pumped out. The suggested repair was estimated to take 6 to 8 weeks. This concept posed serious threats to the safety of the vessel, crew and cargo onboard, with the vessel in the inner anchorage and cofferdams installed below the water line in the bow section. With upcoming weather, the vessel could turn on it’s anchor and the anchor chain could rip off the cofferdam, thus allow- ing an uncontrolled surge or water to enter the confined space.
Repair Procedure Miami Diver, Inc. submitted a detailed repair procedure to the owner and the classification society, suggesting the repair of the damage be performed by welding shell doubler plates from the The Bulk Carrier outside of the hull in the wet over the The vessel involved in the accident ruptures and tears, with frame work was was a bulk carrier, built in 1989 with a to be welded into the larger openings. total length of 660 feet, a breadth of 67 The repair procedure not only contained feet and a dead weight of almost 70,000 a detailed step by step approach of the Metric Tonnes. The vessel is classed as a repair, but also class approved Welding Panamax size vessel, the maximum size Procedure Qualification Records (PQR), vessel to pass through the Panama Canal. Welding Procedures Specifications The size is limited by the dimensions of (WPS), and Welder Qualifications in the lock chambers and the depth of the accordance with AWS D3.6 and class water in the canal. specifications. Ruptures in the hull plating viewed from the outside.
www.adc-int.org ■ www.underwatermagazine.com UnderWater 17 Repair
The Subsea Solutions Alliance underwater shaft seal replacement, propeller Miami Diver, Inc., a member of the Subsea straightening, and underwater welding. Solutions Alliance (SSA), specializes in under- The SubSea Solutions Alliance has a repu- water ship husbandry, maintenance and repair. tation for performing repairs that are deemed The Subsea Solution Alliance is formed by four impossible. Fixing the hull of the ship below individual dive companies – Miami Diver, Inc., the water line without unloading the cargo head-quartered in Miami, FL; Parker Diving and dry docking the vessel is one of them. Service in Long Beach, California; All Sea The Subsea Solutions Alliance has become the Enterprises, headquartered in Vancouver, BC; industry leader in underwater equipment repair and Trident Diving BV in The Netherlands. and has been nominated as the underwater Trained divers/service personnel and special- service provider for major equipment providers ized equipment allow the Alliance to perform like Blohm and Voss Industries, Rolls Royce maintenance and highly specialized repairs Marine and Wartsila Corporation. The Alliance underwater to predominantly floating struc- provides class approved permanent repairs to tures, anywhere in the world. These structures ensure vessels remain in service. Training of Diver Welders in the training tank at Parker Diving Service in Long Beach, Ca include merchant, naval, passenger vessels, semi submersibles, FPSO/FSO and barges. Repair Procedure Accepted In order to retain their position as a world After the final revision of the repair pro- doubler plates to enable the vessel to sail to leader in the field of underwater ship hus- cedure was accepted on February 11, 2010, an China, unload the cargo and have the damage bandry, maintenance and repair, the Alliance international crew assembled from offices in permanently repaired in a dry dock in China. recognizes the need to maintain a highly Miami, Long Beach, Vancouver, Curacao and Miami Diver, Inc. estimated a time skilled, competent workforce. To this end they Panama to attend the vessel on March 12, 2010. frame of 14 days, running two shifts around have a policy to ensure their personnel are The goal of the repair was to perform a the clock. provided with the latest, state of the art training temporary solution by providing a watertight The owner and the class accepted Miami opportunities, including specialist training in seal of the openings in the shell plating with Diver, Inc.’s proposal.
Visit www.Brocoinc.com Performance and safety evolve. The next generation of Broco’s BR-22 cutting torch is coming January 2012.
18 UnderWater 549338_Broco.indd 1 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 8/27/11 4:38:20 PM Welding frame members
Welding Underwater All underwater welding was performed wet, without any physical barrier between the welding arc and the work piece. The underwater welding consumable was the HYDROWELD FS electrode. Underwater cutting was performed with an exothermic cutting process. Gouging was performed utilizing the hydro gouging process. Welding doubler plates
Welding doubler plates
www.adc-int.org ■ www.underwatermagazine.com UnderWater 19 Repair
Diving Diving was performed by two divers at a time with two- way communications from the divers to the surface. One diver wore a helmet mounted video camera with topside color monitor with video recording capabilities to allow the Project Manager and customer to see all operations while being performed.. Due to the substantial draft of the loaded vessel, the repair was performed while diving at a 50 foot table. To extend our time at the required working depth, the decision was made to use surface supplied enriched air (NITROX) to increase the bottom time of the dive teams. The work platform was the supply vessel “Twister II”, with a local captain and deck hands, made up alongside of MV Big Wave. Dive teams consisting of two divers per team worked in rotations.
Jim Allen, President of Parker Diving at the comms
Diver entering the water
20 UnderWater NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 Where standards are set for welding in the wet
Wet Welder Contact us for: 2012 Class Schedule Company and/or project specifi c training. Training Courses Wet Welding procedures and Welder qualifi cations. January, April, July & October Hydroweld FS Wet welding electrodes. Miami, USA Wet welding equipment. HYDROWELD USA, INC. HYDROWELD UK Tel • +1 954-385-5678 Tel • +44(0)12.13.78.12.30 Fax • +1 954-385-3355 Fax • +44(0)12.13.78.12.81 [email protected] [email protected]
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■ UnderWater 21 553476_Jack.indd 1 www.adc-int.org www.underwatermagazine.com 9/28/11 5:33:24 PM Repair
Repair The repairs on the Port Side of the vessel were performed first, because the damage was more severe on the portside and the anchor was down on the starboard side. Visible fractures were arrested by piercing Ø3/8” holes in the ends of the fractures to stop the fracture from traveling further. Framing was welded into larger ruptures and was welded to the hull plating of the vessel. These framing members were equally spaced throughout the ruptures. Once the framing was completed, 3/8” thick plates of A36 quality were installed overlapping the shell plating approximately 100 mm all-around. The plates were then fitted to the framing grid and the circum- ferential edges of the plates were welded with multiple layers fillet welds to the vessel’s shell plating. 3/8” plates of A36 quality were “skinned” over the smaller openings with an overlap of 100mm onto the shell plate. Multiple layer fillet welds attached the doubler to the shell plate. A total of approximately 6,000 pounds of steel was used to seal the ruptures, cracks and deformations in the ship’s shell plating.
Dewater After all doubler plates were installed, the fore peak tank and the number 1 tank were dewatered and left to dry. Finally an underwater 2-part marine epoxy (splash zone) was placed over the welds. Finished welds on port side.
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Inside Repairs After the fore peak tank and the number 1 tank on the port side were dewatered and dry, the class surveyor inspected the dam- aged frames on the inside and identified frame members that needed to be repaired. Furthermore, the surveyor identified where concrete boxes had to be constructed over the repairs. Inside work was performed by a local shipyard.
Underwater epoxy applied over the welds. Stress Analysis Miami Diver, Inc.’s welding engineer was present during the repair and was in contact with the marine engineer in the Miami, Fl office. Our in house marine engineer provided a stress analysis, determining the stress in materials and structures subject to dynamic loads while the ship was sailing to China. This was performed with the goal to determine whether the repair can safely withstand assumed forces/loading conditions while the vessel was in operation. THE FUTURE OF UNDERWATER WELDING
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24 UnderWater 471498_Neptune.indd 1NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 3/18/10 11:14:40 AM 547093_Seacon.indd 1 8/22/11 9:16:39 PM
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■ UnderWater 25 508532_Amerisafe.indd 1 12/4/10 1:51:24524451_Bauer.indd PM www.adc-int.org 1 www.underwatermagazine.com 6/2/11 11:13:46 AM Repair
Vessel in drydock. Repairs on starboard side
Vessel in drydock. Repairs on port side
Challenges The repair itself was demanding and required on the spot problem solving. The weather also was not cooperating all the time. Heavy storms and rough seas on some days made it too dangerous to dive. Even with all the obstacles, the job was finished, within the approximate man hours proposed. Finally the vessel was allowed to pass the Panama Canal, sail to China, unload the cargo and go to dry dock to have the damage permanently repaired.
UWE W. ASCHEMEIER (uwaschemeier@ terracon.com) is senior welding engineer, Terracon Consultants, Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the welding engineer for Miami Diver, Inc.
KEVIN S. PETERS (kevin@miamidiver. com) is president, Miami Diver, Inc., a member of the Subsea Solutions Alliance, Miami, Fla.
26 UnderWater NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 “Your search begins by
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■ UnderWater 27 548869_SIDUS.indd 1 8/27/11 3:43:18506497_Dive.indd AM 1 www.adc-int.org www.underwatermagazine.com 11/29/10 11:43:34 PM Technology
A Look at New Mask Technology TheBY CHRIS GABEL GuardWHAT IS MORE EXCITING THAN opening that new piece of equipment for the first time? Nothing beats being the first proverbial kid on your block to have that new widget in your arsenal. Well, this month, I thought that we would take a look at the new mask from Ocean Technology Systems. Ryan Lummus was kind enough to send one over to the shop so that we could evalu- ate it and go over some of the maintenance aspects of the newest mask on the block. The mask should look relatively familiar, as there are others on the market with a similar look. Take for instance the Interspiro Aga mask (I know, Interspiro calls it the Divator mask, but old habits die hard) and Poseidon’s Atmosphere mask. So, the concept of this mask shouldn’t feel, look or dive foreign. The second stage is right up front and under the faceplate where you would expect it. You’ll notice that the supply line is on the diver’s right – a deviation from the Aga. The communications port is also located on the diver’s right just aft of the second stage. The one that we were provided with did not have communications installed so I can’t comment too much on the look and feel of the new setup. I would like to eventually evaluate a fully equipped mask and put it through its paces (read – use and abuse and see how it takes it). One other difference to note is the mounting fitting of the second stage. The regulator gets inserted in to the front of the mask without spinning or tightening up any screws. It clicks into place and is released by depressing the red button located inside the mask and to the diver’s left – a cleaver setup. The mask comes equipped with several versions of a nose clearing block to allow for different faces to clear in comfort and not have to adapt the face to the mask. The mask seal is comfortable and is basically a “one size fits all.” The seal is a double seal. I talked with Mike, one of the co-owners of OTS and the lead designer of the Guardian project. He mentioned that they specifically designed the double seal mask skirt so that it would be adaptable to the plethora of facial shapes that are out there in the diving world. What the primary seal misses, the secondary seal takes up. A current US Navy Seal is going to have a different facial structure than, say, someone built like John Madden. He also mentioned that the second stage, by its nature, has a slight posi- tive pressure when the second stage loads. A little air pressure is a good thing. It allows for water to stay out if the seal is only slightly
28 UnderWater NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2011 iancompromised. Another feature to note is that, like some others in this category, this full face mask is self clearing. This means no squirting stuff on to the face plate. One safety note, like other full face masks, one thing to be aware of is if you invert this mask (feet over head) the mask can flood. That’s no different than other masks. The air pressure comes from the second stage and (surprise) rises. If you go inverted, the air still rises but instead of ending up around your face, it goes to your chin. Should it flood, de-watering the mask is simple. Just return to the upright position and depress the purge button and all will be well again with the world. You can get all kinds of colors and customize your mask to your personal taste. I’m not going to go much in to the details of mask fashion. If you would like to see the myriad of colors and choices, you can go to the OTS website at www.OceanTechnologySystems. com. The subject of color choices and fashion is more in line with a series on Bravo than this article. So let’s get in to the guts of this thing. One of the things that you’ll notice is that the Guardian full face mask is equipped with an ambient breathing valve. You can’t miss it; it’s the big cylindrical looking thing that’s attached to the face plate. It’s the same kind of valve that you may have seen on the Aga in the past. It’s open on the surface to allow air to enter the mask without having to waste your back gas or surface supply air. When you submerge, the surrounding water pressure closes the valve. It’s handy, but should not be ignored during periodic servicing. It does contain some soft goods parts and needs to be cleaned regularly with clean fresh water. Make sure that it’s free from debris. The second stage should look and feel relatively familiar. The design is similar enough to the Aga that there shouldn’t be anything intimidating about it but different enough to feel the change. If you already took the OTS Technician class with the infamous John Hott, you’ll be right at home. Unfortunately, there is no current technical class available on the Guardian. I have been assured that it’s in development and should be available in the near future. That said, the second stage is close enough in design that maneuvering around the internal components should feel very familiar. OK, now here is the disclaimer, only qualified and trained individuals should disassemble, reassemble and service any life support gear.
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It’s at this point when I started taking it by, it’s safe to say that it’s questionable components in place. Again, only a trained apart. Not in a destructive manner, my water that you’re diving in). You can check professional should take it apart further. curiosity dictated that I must at least look out the US Navy’s guide to contaminated The oral nasal is, well, an oral nasal. inside the major components. water diving at http://www.supsalv.org/ It’s equipped with a one way valve so that The exhaust valve, smaller and less pdf/Contaminated%20Water%20Div%20 exhaled breathe can only go to the exhaust intrusive than the Aga, is of similar design Man.pdf. As always make sure that you valve and not back through the mask. Air therefore giving you the same protection in have proper training before entering any from inside the face plate area can go in to questionable water as the Aga had in the contaminated water for your own safety. the oral nasal. Now that we’ve cleared that past. The US Navy has guidelines in their OK, that said, let’s move on to the other up, please remember to thoroughly clean contaminated water diving manual on using side of the second stage. The supply side has the oral nasal after each dive or at the very full face masks in less than desirable water a pretty beefy locking nut that keeps the least after each day of diving. Certainly not (when you see hypodermic needles floating connection nipple and internal regulator picking on the Guardian, but I have seen things grow in oral nasal masks that would curl the toes of the most seasoned doctors at the CDC. Make sure that the inside of the channel of the mask gets cleaned and dried fully before stowing. There are several products out there that will do the job. One of my personal favorites is Sanizide. That stuff kills about everything. Make sure that you read the directions fully before use. As for cleaning the rest of the mask, use Fire Wire Marine presents the best underwater exothermic clean fresh water. You can add a mild (I SAID MILD) detergent. Make sure that you cutting rod at the lowest cost of any rod available today. rinse thoroughly. Again, the mask needs to be dry before stowing it in the dive locker. The development of a new proprietary insulation Servicing should be approached like any process and the addition of protective end caps other full face mask out on the market today. aff ord the diver the best isolation from electric You should at the very least have it serviced shock, as well as complete defense against annually. That’s at the very least. The more corrosion, even in the most hostile of you dive it, the greater the amount of pre- environments. ventative maintenance you need to have done. I know that I don’t have to remind Our rods are based on the tube-and-wire you that this is life support equipment. If confi guration, which has proven to be the it fails, it’s going to do so at the least con- best, providing maximum burning mass while venient moment. allowing maximum oxygen fl ow. The Guardian has all of the potential of a great mask. But like any other piece Every rod provides a two-inch safety gap between fuel rods and of new equipment, only time and abuse the rod holder. This gap protects the torch as well as aff ording a degree will tell. I have high hopes for OTS in its of protection for the diver. quest to make a better full face mask for the diving industry. As with any piece of dive gear, thor- oughly read the manufactures manual and For more information, or to order: be properly trained to use the gear you wear. Contact Fire Wire Marine Periodically visit the manufactures website (248) 894-1379 for any important information that may www.fi rewiremarine.com pertain to your device. fi [email protected] As always, dive safe. OR Contact our exclusive Gulf States Email your commercial diving A full service distributor, Commercial Diving Supply equipment maintenance or Kirby Morgan dealer (337) 330-2025 repair questions to Chris www.commercialdivingsupply.com at [email protected]
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