On 27 July 2018, an amendment to Appendix XVc, the field-specific certification scheme for professional diving (WSCS WOD D) was published in the Dutch Government Gazette 41262. That means harmonization of the certification schemes Professional Diver and Fire Rescue Diver.
The scheme of professional diver has undergone a major change. Herewith we inform you about the changes for the civilian professional divers.
In the Netherlands we now have 9 categories instead of 8. The 4-yearly practical test – needed for recertification diver - which could be taken by the dive supervisor on the dive site is now changed into a practical exam taken by an examiner of the NDC-CI organised by NDC-CI. New is that the dive supervisor must write down his registration number when signing the diver log book. (of course including date, name, signature)
Continuous competency – 2 yearly portfolio control and/or 4 yearly recertification The logbook check every 2 years
|
Category |
SCUBA or SSE |
Continuous competency |
|
A1 *) |
SCUBA till 9 mtrs |
At least 30 dives and a total dive time of at least 300 minutes in the competency. |
|
A2 |
SCUBA till 15 metres |
TAt least 30 dives and a total dive time of at least 300 minutes of which at least 5 dives with a minimum bottom depth of 9 metres and a total dive time of 50 minutes. |
|
A3 |
SCUBA tot 30 meter |
At least 30 dives and a total dive time of at least 300 minutes in the competency. |
|
B0 *) |
SSE till 9 metres |
At least 30 dives and a total dive time of at least 300 minutes of which at least 20 dives with a total dive time of 200 dive minutes with SSE. |
|
B1 |
SSE till 15 metres |
At least 30 dives and a total dive time of at least 300 minutes of which 1° at least 20 dives of at least 200 dive minutes with SSE; and 2° At least 5 dives with at least dive depth of 9 metres and and a total dive time of 50 minutes. |
|
B2 |
SSE till 30 metres |
At least 30 dives and a total dive time of at least 300 minutes, of which at least 15 dives with a total dive time of at least 150 dive minutes with SSE. |
|
B3 |
SSE till 50 metres without wetbell |
At least 30 dives and a total dive time of at least 300 minutes, of which at least 15 dives with a total dive time of at least 150 dive minutes with SSE. |
|
B4 |
SSE till 50 metres with wetbell |
At least 30 dives and a total dive time of at least 300 minutes, of which at least 15 dives with a total dive time of at least 150 dive minutes with SSE. |
|
C |
Closed Bell / Saturation |
If the diver also is competent for category B4 the bell bellruns made as a diver (10 bellruns 5x diver / 5x bellman) can be compensated for the B4 dives. |
If you have to do your 2-yearly portfolio check on a short notice we realise that you cannot meet the new requirements. You will receive an advise of the NDC-CI to meet the new requirements for the 4-yearly recertification moment.
If you, the professional diver, already have done your practical test on the dive site taken by an NDC-CI trained supervisor before the 1st of October 2018, please let us know. You don’t have to do the practical exam taken by an NDC-CI examiner. The NDC-CI shall check this and communicate it with you. If not you have to do the practical exam taken by an NDC-CI examiner and organized by NDC-CI. The NDC-CI,
You need to do this in 3rd or 4th year after issuing. Based on your dive history (logbook) the content of the practical test will be determined. If your dive certificate is invalid you must contact a recognized training institute for facilitating the practical exam under circumstances and presence of a dive team with valid papers and assessed by an NDC-CI examiner. To keep your certificate valid:
a) The certificate holder informed the NDC-CI as soon as possible of changes in his (digital) address.
b) The certificate holder used the certificate only when it is valid.
c) The certificate holder meets the continuous requirements to keep his certificate valid (the –yearly portfolio check)
d) The certificate holder used his certificate for the diving activities for which the certificate is issued.
e) The certificate holder cooperates with the control by the NDC-CI and approves with random tests by his employers and/or clients.
f) The certificate holder approves the registration of the status of his certificate in the public register of certificates of SWOD.
g) The certificate holder informed the certifying institute about complaints of his competency / skills and cooperates with research by the certifying institute.
h) The certificate holder will report misuse of this certificate by third parties as much as possible and report the loss of the certificate to the certifying body within ten days.
If the certificate holder cannot meet these conditions the consequence can be suspension or withdrawing of the certificate, or a warning.
Brexit: For the divers and dive supervisors living in the United Kingdom we have to inform you that our government is preparing its implementation of the EC legislation for possible changes due to the Brexit. In our legislation known as “The recognition of EC Vocational Qualifications and the temporary and incidental provision of services”. It is possible that the “proof of assessment” for temporary and incidental work no longer can be given to inhabitants of the UK. At this moment we are waiting the instructions of our government. Of course we shall communicate with the Dutch Diving Companies and our authorities about the (im)possibilities for the future.
