scope:

a. OPNAV N97 has the authority and responsibility for military diving activities and is the single manager (SM) for the Joint Military Diving Technology and Training (JMDT&T) Program Board as specified in references (a) through (c).

b. This instruction applies to all underwater diving, dive training, and manned hyperbaric systems operations conducted by the United States Navy (USN), with the exception of Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM) under U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) as discussed in subparagraph 1c, and includes any system where the operators or passengers are exposed to greater than one atmosphere environmental pressure. This includes all afloat and ashore diving activities and all diving operations performed by the Department of the Navy (DON).

c. This instruction does not apply to NAVSPECWARCOM and the joint diving community that is unique to USSOCOM, or to diving tools and equipment that are developed for unique diving applications by or for USSOCOM discussed in reference (a).

Purpose. To establish Navy-wide diving policy, clarify authorities, delegate responsibilities to subordinate commanders exercising authority over the various portions of the Navy Diving Program, establish Navy participation requirements in joint and Navy organizations for diving issue resolution, standardize Navy Diving Program processes, set baseline requirements for Navy diving operations, and establish policy to fully address the unique nature of a diverse organizational structure.

a. The Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) directed diving operational assessment found significant issues with Navy diving policy. Therefore, significant changes have been made as summarized in subparagraphs 1a(1) through 1a(5).

(1) Added elaboration for the diving systems and materiel policy.

(2) Formalized the requirements for command dive bill or instructions; the diving waiver and exception to policy process; the dive mishap and near mishap reporting process; the diver qualification, training, and designation processes; and the planning, preparation, and coordination for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Underwater Diving Working Group (UDWG).

(3) Delegated certain authorities down echelon for diving waivers.

(4) Restructured the diving operational readiness inspection process.

(5) Added descriptions, roles, responsibilities, organizational charts, requirements for the diving executive steering committee (DiveESC), the chief warrant officer-advisory team (CWO-AT), and the senior enlisted advisory team (SEAT).

b. This instruction is a complete revision and should be reviewed in its entirety.