Oil Platform Diving Recommendations

The following recommendations provide Research Divers access to important information concerning
diving on a platform that was formerly only available by word-of-mouth. Although this includes relevant
procedural requirements, future UCSB dive proposals should still submit a UCSB Research Diving Plan.

Map link: http://www.countyofsb.org/energy/who/oil&gasMap.asp

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Year 1 Horiz. 2 Horiz. 3rd Horiz Max Depth Distance
PLATFORM Installed Member Member Member (ft) Offshore GPS Coordinates
(ft) (ft) (ft) (miles)
A 1968 188 5.8 34°19’N, 119° 36’ W
B 1968 190 5.7 34°19’N, 119° 37’ W
C 1977 192 5.7 34°19’N, 119° 37’ W
Gail 1987 40 100 739 9.9 34°07’N, 119° 37’ W
Gilda 1981 35 82 205 8.8 34°10’N, 119° 25’ W
Gina 1980 40 95Bot. 100 3.7 34°07’N, 119° 16’ W
Grace 1979 318 10.5 34°10’N, 119° 28’ W
Habitat 1981 290 7.8 34°17’N, 119° 35’ W
Harmony 1989 1198 6.4 34°22’N, 120° 10’ W
Harvest 1985 675 6.7 34°29’N, 120° 42’ W
Hermosa 1985 30 85 603 6.8 34°27’N, 120° 38’ W
Henry 1979 173 4.3 34°19’N, 119° 33’ W
Heritage 1989 1075 8.2 34°21’N, 120° 16’ W
Hildalgo 1986 45 115 430 5.9 34°28’N, 120° 40’ W
Hillhouse 1969 190 5.5 34°19’N, 119° 36’ W
Holly 1966 30 65 120 211 2.1 34°22’N, 119° 52’ W
Hogan 1967 154 3.7 34°20’N, 119° 32’ W
Hondo 1976 842 5.1 34°23’N, 120° 42’ W
Houchin 1968 163 4.1 34°20’N, 119° 33’ W
Irene 1985 55 95 242 4.7 34°36.45’N, 120°43.45’ W
 PLATFORM RESEARCH DIVING: OVERVIEW

Image by Donna Schroeder

DIVER TRAINING / EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

Diver skill level
ƒ UCSB Depth Certification: min. 60ft cert. for all platform dives
ƒ Strong swimming ability: able to swim in currents, independent rescue.
ƒ Anxiety Level: first dive(s) as a survey only (not task oriented)
Lead Diver:
• Should have experience diving on a platform and is responsible to review
the full dive plan and safety procedures with the divers and boat captain.
Safety Equipment Required for each diver:
ƒ Signaling device (Scuba tube), whistle
ƒ Gloves & Hood
ƒ Quick Release Equipment: Given the increased chance for entanglement, gear
(game bags, slates sampling gear) gear, if attached, should be so it could be
easily removed if need be (quick release, bolt snap, etc.)
ƒ Dive knife/scissors for monofilament line.
Boat driver experience:
ƒ Previous supervised platform captaining experience required

STANDARD COMMUNICATION PROCEDURES WITH PLATFORM

Homeland Security considerations: Personal photo ID may be required.
Phone: Pre-authorization required weeks before. Call the day before to
confirm, once again when you arrive at the platform and before leaving the
platform.
Radio: Continuously monitor Ch. 16 while at the platform. Platform may be
hailed on Ch. 16 or 9, though they are not always monitoring these
channels
Crew boats: Can be hailed on Ch. 16 or 9. Establish contact when a crew
boat approaches the platform and divers are in the water.
Dive Flag: Always have the dive flag up when divers are in the water and down
when all divers are back in boat so the crew boat and platform workers are aware
of the divers.
Warning Signals:
Fog:
Hydrogen Sulfide:
Fire:
Oil Spill:
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Forecast: Check conditions morning of the dive and periodically monitor the
forecast during the dive
Fog: Dives should never be conducted in reduced visibility. If divers surface
and cannot see boat, they should stay in direct contact with the platform.
Wind: windy/whitecaping conditions reduce both the visibility for spotting divers
and basic control of the boat near a platform.
Swell: > 6ft swell recommended to cancel dive
Surface/Subsurface Currents: Cancel dive in strong currents > 1.5 knots, or
when it is difficult for a diver to swim into the current
o “G” rigs and Holly are prone to strong currents
o Currents occur at multiple depths
o Currents weakest during slack tides
Underwater Visibility: Can dramatically differ throughout the water column: it can clear
as you descend, especially during an algae bloom.
Temperature Gradient: A thermocline, dropping the temp. to 11-12° C, is common at
depths >60ft.
Fumes:
o Platform Holly on windless days has strong fumes from coal oil point area
o Gas Alarm on platform:
ƒ Travel upwind
ƒ Monitor radio
ƒ Use SCUBA units if necessary
Platform Flaring: On occasion a platform will burn gases from the top of platform.
This “flaring” is very loud (sounds like a jet engine) and can be startling, but is not
dangerous.

POTENTIAL HAZARDS
Crew Boats: A crew boat may arrive during the dive. This will create
loud sounds underwater. If you must surface while a crew boat is at the platform,
surface under the platform, well away from the crew boat landing area.
Other Boats: Recreational boats will at times fish near the platform. During your
final ascent to the surface all divers should scan for boats. Boat captains should
contact any boat approaching to the platform to notify them of divers in the water.
Currents: Currents can occur at multiple depths and a dive should be cancelled
if it is difficult for a diver to swim into the current.
Surge/Swell: Swell/surge a times can be felt throughout the water column.
With a >6ft swell it is recommended to cancel dive given the swell will effect a
safety stop.
Diffusers: Diffusers pipes located under the platform can release gases creating
a mass of bubbles in the water column. Swim around any area that has bubbles
in the water column.
Sub-surface saltwater intake pipes: All divers must stay well clear of all sub-
surface saltwater intake pipes located under the platform. These intake
pipes when fully on (during a fire alarm) could pull in a diver.
Compasses Do Not Work: Ferrous (iron, steel) objects, magnets, flowing electrical
current influence the reading of the compass. An error will result in
the compass readout near the platform.
Fishing gear: Fishing line, nets and other monofiliment line can be found on and
around the platforms. All divers should have a cutting device and minimize all
attached gear to a diver should be easily removed (bolt-snaps or a quick release
device)
Sharp objects
• Gloves are required due to sharp shellfish and metal objects.
• It is recommended that your Tetanus shot be up-to-date.
Falling objects: Before making the dive, scan the platform for any potential areas
of activity (crane, etc) where objects (tools/materials) could fall into the water.
Dive well away from these areas.
 Hydrogen Sulfide gas release: If a gas release occurs an alarm should sound and red
light will flash. Move upwind and stay well clear of the platform.
Hepatitis Vaccination: recommended.

EMERGENCY PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

ƒ Helicopter may be able to land on platform
ƒ Platform operators/crew boat can be hailed

GENERAL DIVE PLAN CONSIDERATIONS

Dives over 60 ft
o Stepwise level diving: deepest level to progressively shallower depths
o Repetitive diving (>60ft) within 1 day: 2 max
o Multi-day deeper diving (>60 ft): 2 days in a row; max 3 days a week
o Minimum surface interval: 60-80ft: 1hr, 80-100: 1.5 hr; 100ft+: 2hr
o Hydration/health: stay hydrated before, during and after any dive.
o Ascents: ascend slowly along leg of rig, make a mid-water and safety stops.

Using Lift Bags:

o Moderate and strong currents can prevent the safe use of lift bags.
o Used by experienced platform divers only and a secondary air source for lift the
bag is recommended. If diver plans on using their primary air source, their air
supply should be continuously monitored and rules of a 3rd should apply:
o Managing Air by “Rules of a 3rd”=
Air Supply: 1/3rd for dive, 1/3rd for lift bag, 1/3rd for ascent / reserve

LOST DIVER/BOAT PROCEDURES

Divers: If a diver should surface and cannot see the boat, remain at the platform
and safely make physical contact to the platform until the boat makes visual
contact with you. If divers surface away from platform and cannot return (current,
etc) to the platform, use the signaling devices (Scuba-tuba, whistle, dive slate),
stay together; release weights if necessary.

Boat Captain:
1. Account for & question dive partner (anything unusual about dive)
2. Estimate current direction and strength
a. Measure the current next to a fixed object (moored boat, platform leg
etc.) by timing a drift rate of a floating object for 20' (Fish boats are
22'). 20' / 11 Sec = 1 knot (Nautical mile/hour), 20' / 6 Sec = 2 knots
3. Note time: Start of dive, present time: Depth of water
(attempt to determine when air supply should be depleted / diver should have
surfaced)
4. Look down current and around the platform for the diver(s) and/or their
bubbles
5. Notify Rig and Crew boat
6. Drive down current, 2x the current speed 2x the estimated distance the diver
could have drifted.
7. Return to the start point slowly, scanning for the diver
8. Notify Coast Guard

Call – Coast Guard (Ch16 VHF)

 MAKING A PLATFORM RESEARCH DIVE

ARRIVING AT THE PLATFORM

1. Contact platform
2. Assess all aspects of the weather: winds, fog, currents, swell & forecast.
3. Assess work activity on the platform: potential falling objects.
4. Dive entry/exit location
a. Determine drift direction of boat
b. Crew boat activity
c. Sampling Location reviewed on platform
5. Review dive plan with dive team and boat captain.

Determining Diver Drop off/Pick up area:

*Pick-up/Drop-off location should be based on the boats general drifting direction

from current/wind and the location of the crew boat landing area.

BOAT CAPTAIN: TENDING THE DIVERS

1. Dive Entry Location: Bow should be towards the platform. Divers should enter in
a predetermined area close to the platform and where boat will not drift into or hit
the platform. The boat captain should always have visual contact with each
diver when they are at the surface.
2. Note dive entry time
3. Waiting for divers to Surface
a. Stay down current within 100 ft of platform and continuously monitor area
around platform and down current from platform for surfacing divers
4. Communicate with crew boats if one arrives at the platform and inform them
about divers in the water
5. Pick up divers down current on the down current side of the platform if possible,
shutting off engine when divers are near boat.
6. Lower Dive Flag
DIVING AT THE PLATFORMS:
1. Entering the water:
a. Have all gear ready; minimize time entering the water and at the surface
2. Making the Descent
a. Use leg of platform as a vertical reference
b. Monitor your depth gauge
3. Time Management
a. Given the potential for deeper dives, continuously monitor your
depth, air supply and decompression status and begin the ascent with
more than enough air for the ascent, including all safety stops.
4. Ascending
a. Ascend with at least 1/3 of your starting air pressure to ensure
enough air for your required safety stops
b. Ascend close to a vertical “leg” of the platform and continuously scan for
any overhead objects
c. Ascent Rate: no faster than 30ft per min
5. Safety Stops
a. 3-5 min stop at 15 - 20ft for all dives > 30ft
b. Dives > 60ft
i. 3-5 min stop at 20ft
ii. Mid-water stop for 1-2 min during ascent
c. Swell: With a swell, make your safety stop closer to 20ft and
stay well clear of any overhead objects
d. Current: Being directly down current of oil platform leg may provide
some shelter from the current during your safety stop
6. Surfacing
a. Begin your final ascent to the surface from your safety stop area slightly
inside the platform along a predetermined leg.
b. Continuously scan for any overhead objects (mussel mounds, overhang
sections of the platform, approaching boats)
c. Surface slightly inside the platform with your regulator in your month,
signal for the boat and scan the area.
d. Begin your surface swim away from the platform when the boat has made
visual contact with you and is approaching the platform to pick you up.

LEAVING THE PLATFORM

Contact the platform informing them all divers are out of the water and
that you are finished at that platform.

MISCELLANEOUS
Point Arguello region: especially hazardous offshore due to strong and
unpredictable swells, winds. When traveling past point conception
monitor the weather constantly and also start the trip with full tank of gas
and oil.
Platform Irene: area is off-limits when Vandenberg Air Force Base launch site is
active.
Platform Holly: natural oil seeps and fumes increase chances of
seasickness.
East Channel Platforms (the “G” rigs): experience frequent strong
currents in fall.
Platform Gina: When on the mussel mound bottom a diver can lose sight of the
platform during limited visibility.
 Platform Diving Checklist

LEAD DIVER
PRIOR TO DEPEPARTING FOR THE PLATFORM
1. Contact Platform: bring contact #’s
2. Assess weather conditions / forecast
3. Check preparedness of each diver:
o Signaling device(s)
o Well rested/hydrated
o Proper certification/training for dive plan
o General understanding of the dive plan
4. Boat captain has previous platform experience.

ARRIVING AT PLATFORM
1. Contact Platform
o Inform platform of dive plan and ask if they are expecting any platform
activity: crew boat schedule, alarm drills when subsurface intake pipes
will be used etc.
2. Assess Weather: Winds, current, swell/surge
o Determine the boats direction of drift / wind direction: diver entry/exit
location, current direction for lost diver, wind direction for an H2S
release.
3. Assess work activity on the platform: potential falling objects
4. Determine Diver Entry / Exit Location
o Review Dive Plan
o Review Dive Entry/Exit location
o Tasks for each diver: AVOID TASK-OVERLOADING
o Dive depth, time and when (time/air supply) to begin surfacing
o Safety stop procedures
o Emergency procedures
5. Don gear collectively so all divers are ready to enter the water at the same time

BOAT CAPTAIN
1. Dive Entry: diver drop off location where divers can enter the water close to the
platform and boat will not drift into platform. The boat captain should
always have visual contact with each diver when they are at or near the
surface.
2. Raise Dive Flag
3. Note dive entry time & estimate time till divers surface.
4. Continuously scan for surrounding waters for surfaced divers and monitor Ch. 16.
o Communicate with crew boats if one approaches.
5. Pick up divers down current on the down current side of the platform if possible,
shutting off the engine when divers near the boat.
6. Lower Dive Flag
 Oil Platform Diving: Review Questions (DRAFT)

1. List the minimum Diver Skill Requirements and Safety Equipment required for each
diver that is making an oil platform dive?

2. When arriving at the platform, what 5 things should be completed before making a
dive?

3. Describe 3 forms of communication available with a platform?

4. Describe at least 4 aspects of the weather condition that should be assessed before
making a dive and how each of these can affect your dive on a platform?

5. List the 6 steps recommended when making a platform dive?

6. List the General Dive Plan Considerations when making a dive over 60ft on a
platform?

7. How can a diver minimize the risk from boat traffic when making an ascent?

8. A diver surfaces and cannot see the boat. Describe the recommended response for
this diver?

9. How can you estimate the surface current from the boat?

10. List the three considerations for determining the dive entry location?