Training of Professional Divers at the Underwater Polygon

Scientific Bulletin Vol. XXVI, No. 1(51), 2021

TRAINING OF PROFESSIONAL DIVERS AT THE UNDERWATER POLYGON

Adriana AGAPE agape.adriana @yahoo.com

DIVING CENTER, CONSTANȚA, ROMANIA

ABSTRACT The underwater polygon for training of professional divers is a major multi-annual project of the Romanian Naval Forces, underway since 2020, as part of the EUNDC, in the European PESCO program. The paper presents the main challenges encountered in the development of the polygon and the constructive solutions resulting from the work of the research team of the Diving Center from Constanța.

KEYWORDS: Polygon, divers, missions, abilities

1. Introduction The project is initiated by Romania, with Romania's participation in the Romania, Bulgaria and France as working groups of the European Defense participating Member States and Spain as Agency (EDA) has contributed to the an observer. The creation of a network of promotion and affirmation of our country as diving centers coordinated by our country a potential provider of professional training for the certification and training of divers at in the field of divers at European level, this EU level, based on common standards and being the main objective of the project, procedures, as well as their certification for Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) European missions, requires the project, approved by Council Decision modernization of the traditional Romanian (CFSP) 1909 of 12 November 2019. Navy Diving Center.

70 The modernization plan also includes 2. Missions, requirements and a complex underwater polygon, which will capabilities of the underwater polygon rise to the level of the training bases of the allied naval forces. The training ground 2.1. Typpes of missions performed in must ensure the continuous training of the diving rannge professional divers, at international standards, The training ground for divers must for the creation of the reflexes and ensure the intense, diversified and continuous automatisms necessary in the development training of all types of divers for the specific of the underwater activities that they carry missions of the groups in this category of out. The development of this training forces. The national structures that are ground is a major step in order to improve composed of groups of divers prepared for training support and alignment with the Diving Training, Training and Training international requirements in the field of Course within the Diving Center from professional training of divers. Constanța are represented in (Figure no. 1).

Naval Forces

Emergency Ground Services Forces

Fire Diving Air Force Departament Center

Police Special Force

Coast Guard

Figure no. 1: National structures collaborating with the Diving Center for diver training (Source: Chiripuci, Stanciu & Fleșer, 2020)

Table no. 1 Diver missions and appropriate actions to fulfill them

Nr. Mission Action crt. Training military and civilian divers to Creating a training base for professional obtain the practical skills necessary for divers, close to the Black Sea coast, to more 1 joint missions of allied divers in the easily ensure the necessary logistics. Black Sea basin. Improving its own infrastructure, in the The endowment of the new training ground context of transforming the Diving must ensure the harmonization of training Center into a European Diving Training conditions for divers of all countries 2 Center, according to the “European Union participating in the future European Diving Network of Diving Centers” project of Training and Training Center. the European PESCO program.

71 Nr. Mission Action crt. Creating a step-by-step training base, on 3 depth levels: Diving training at the depth level 3. • Level 1: depths between – 5 and – 7 m; specific to their qualification. • Level 2: depths between – 15 and – 17 m; • Level 3: depths between – 20 and – 25 m. Level 1 will be provided with 2-3 work tables, at which divers, without feeling Accommodating working divers with 4 the constraint of deep depths, will perform electric, welding, hydraulic tools, etc. the accommodation with various specific work tools. Level 1 will be equipped with a narrow tube Specific training for closed / semi- 5 structure, intended for training divers with closed circuit divers. closed / semi-closed circuit. Level 2 will include different objects that Practicing underwater work activities can be the object of the real intervention of 6 (cutting, welding, handling hydraulic a diver (mines, torpedoes, flanges, anchor, tools, etc.). anchor chain, etc.) At Level 2 there will be a container where the diver will enter for training in order 7 Simulation of wreck intervention. to identify and find different objects as well as for training orientation, entry and exit skills. Level 3 will include a sunken wreck 8 Training for backflow operations. intended for training for backflow operations. At Level 3 there will be large diameter Training for assembling flexible hoses 9 hoses (50-100 cm), provided with flanges, specific to offshore equipment. for the specific training of their assembly.

2.2. Divers, requirements and capabilities adapted to training at the polygon

Table no. 2 Divers qualifications, requirements and corresponding capabilities

Diver Requirement Capability qualification Diving activities with autonomous equipment, with compressed air, at depths of Trained for autonomous minimum 15msw and maximum 40msw, equipment (SCUBA), has in day / night conditions. Executes: minimum qualifications for SCUBA • training dives; protection of the force in the diver • simple search and retrieval of objects in the marine environment, underwater environment; performs searches, works • technical inspections on the hull; and simple maintenance. • cleaning live work on the ship, including simple maintenance operations.

72 Diver Requirement Capability qualification Compressed air diving activities, delivered by umbilical cord, to a depth of 40 msw, in day / Trained to be able to evolve night conditions. Limited run: and work underwater, with • diving for training; the help of specific • search and retrieval operations of objects Heavy diver equipment, powered and and persons in the underwater environment; assisted by a team from the • research of the underwater environment; surface. • collecting and recording information related to various objectives; • technical inspections on the hull. SCUBA diving activities or surface feeding Trained for SCUBA or at depths of minimum 5 msw and maximum surface feeding, to perform 40 msw, in day / night conditions. Executes: various tasks such as: • diving for training, real or in simulators and moving or anchoring objects barocameras; under water, support Underwater • search and retrieval operations of objects (search, penetration, military worker diver and persons in the underwater environment; searches, placement of • underwater works with hydraulically and obstacles, destruction, pneumatically operated tools; cleaning of aquariums, • welding, underwater cutting, non-destructive construction and repairs, testing of submerged structures; safety, search and rescue). • demolition with explosives. Diving activities with respiratory mixtures at depths over 20 msw, with surface feeding or with the diving assembly, in day / night Trained to be able to evolve conditions. Performs underwater work and work underwater, with included, but not limited to: the help of specific • diving for training real; equipment, for operations of • search and retrieval operations of objects Salvage support, rescue, evacuation and persons in the underwater environment; diver and recovery of material • underwater research: belonging to allied or enemy • underwater works with hydraulically and forces: ships, boats, pneumatically operated tools; equipment for reuse, repair • welding, underwater cutting, non-destructive operations. testing of submerged structures; • complex inspections, including wreck inspections; • complex maintenance operations. Performs shallow diving activities with closed circuit oxygen or mixed gas Naval underwater breathing apparatus for: Exposal Trained for military/counter- • demolition with explosives; Ornance mine diving capability • searches and inspections of mines; Disposal • neutralization and destruction of mines; (EOD) diver • underwater land remediation works; • specific explosives combat training.

73 Diver Requirement Capability qualification Performs shallow diving activities with closed circuit oxygen or mixed gas Special underwater breathing apparatus for: Trained for autonomous Warfare • underwater research,collecting and diving operations during (SPECWAR) recording information related to various combat missions forces diver objectives; • training specific to combat forces • cutting and destroying obstacles

3. Location, structure and equipment • it is sheltered by the neighboring of the polygon relief, for the development of specific military activities (demolition, 3.1. Location detonation of explosives); For the location of the landfill, two • location at a distance from other sheltered submarine locations were studied, objectives ensures sound insulation; protected from the activities of the port • natural depths evolve slowly and operators: are close to training levels; • location 1 on a large area, but with • good underwater visibility; small natural depths; • easy access by car and by sea; • location 2 on a smaller area, but • running water supply nearby; with natural depths close to those • the possibility of switching to conditioned in the project. electricity in the vicinity; For location 1 the plane of the • video surveillance of the area; polygon is the one in (Figure no. 3). • quick access to and from the Extensive and expensive hydrotechnical military port of Constanța; work is required to cover the depth • the existence of a flat surface on threshold parameters. The seabed in this the shore, which would allow the district is sandy and there is a danger of location of the divers' equipment; clogging after finishing the landscaping • the moderate influence of sea works. currents on divers' activities; Location 2 (Figure no. 4) can be • low impact on the marine arranged only by demolition works, on a environment. natural stone carpet and by exploiting the natural deep steps. The nearby dike 3.2. Structure provides very good shelter. The polygon The profile of the submarine polygon profile complies with the requirements of (Figure no. 4) consists of 3 cobbled (Table no. 1). platforms, at the 3 depth levels in (Table Following the comparative analysis, no. 1). Natural stone platforms ensure the location 2 was selected. Its advantages are: stability of submerged equipment. • the area is physically isolated from the ships in the port and from the active berths, for the safety of the personnel;

74 Figure no. 3: Polygon profile at location 1

Figure no. 5: Support boat for surface Figure no. 2: SCUBA training equipment (Source: Macrovector, 2019)

75 Figure no. 6: Training for mechanical Figure no. 7: Practice of welding works (Source: Environmental impact) operations (Source: Travis, 2020)

Figure no. 4: Location and profile of the submarine polygon in location 2 with natural deep platforms

For the extension of the training area, of 25 msw. The barge will be equipped with: a support barge will be used (Figure no. 5), • 1 modern equipment for tracking of approximate dimensions L ≅ 25m and and locating divers; l ≅ 15m, on which the surface equipment • 1 electric generator; will be placed, served by the surveillance • 1 air compressor for diving; team, according to the diving norms. At the • 2 diving equipment for deep sea; same time, starting from the end of the • 1 diving basket; barge, divers with umbilical cord equipment • 2 underwater scooters; can perform diving offshore, up to a depth • 1 container for surface equipment.

76 Level 1 will be arranged with: identifying and finding different • 2 professional workbenches, with objects, as well as for training vise; orientation, entry and exit skills. • 2 pipe fixing and adjustment • various real objects (mines, modules; torpedoes, flanges, anchor, anchor • 1 underwater cutting and welding chain, etc.) for search training. equipment; • 1 hydraulic equipment for cleaning Level 3 is intended for backflow submerged structures (brush-kart); training and deep diving exercises. It will • 1 narrow tube structure, designed be equipped with: for training closed / semi-closed • 1 wreck sunk at 20 msw; divers. • 1tf, 2tf, 4tf discharge balloons; • flexible hoses with large diameters Level 2 will be arranged with: (50-100 cm), specific to offshore • 1 moored container, for simulating equipment, intended for assembly the rescue activity, equipped with and disassembly exercises. depth and roll sensors and for • 1 diving basket.

Figure no. 8: Simulation of rescue activity by wreck intervention, using a container (Source: Pawlyk, 2020)

Figure no. 9: Underwater scooter search lessons (Source: Diving with Scooters-Blog-Kapitol Reef)

77 Figure no. 10: The descent of the deep divers with the help of the diving basket (Source: Travis, 2020)

Figure no. 11: Self-rescue exercises from the training wreck (Source: Navy SEALs and Navy Divers Conducting Lock Out Training!, 2013)

4. Conclusions “The development of a complex polygon for In the context of the complete the instruction, preparation and training of modernization of the Diving Center by professional divers”, contributes to replacing baroque rooms and hyperbaric increasing the capacity in the area of installations with new ones and by building interest of the Black Sea. The training the swimming pool, the third project ground will be able to be used in the joint implemented within the European security training missions of NATO allied forces, program PESCO, wave 3, European Unio to increase the security of the coastal area. Network Diving Centers, respectively

78 REFERENCES

Chiripuci, N., Stanciu, T., & Fleșer P. (2020). European Diving Training Center (EDTC). Annals of the Academy of Romanian Scientists Series on Engineering Sciences, Vol. 3, Issue 1, 5-17. Diving with Scooters-Blog-Kapitol Reef, available at: https://www.pinterest.com/ pin/308707749435392890/ Environmental impact, available at: https://www.wikiwand.com/en/ Underwater_diving Macrovector. (2019). Scuba diving snorkeling isometric flowchart with underwater divers in suits with diving equipment and fis, available at: https://www.google.com/ dreamstime.com Navy SEALs and Navy Divers Conducting Lock Out Training! (2013). Available at: https://www.reddit.com/r/scuba/comments/12rlqt/navy_seals_and_navy_divers_conducting_l ock_out Pawlyk, O. (2020). Special Tactics Airman Dies During Combat Dive Training, available at: https://www.military.com/daily-news/2020/03/20/special-tactics-airman-dies- during-combat-dive-training.html Travis, R. (2020). Navy Diver (ND): Career Details, available at: https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/navy-diver-nd/