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June 22, 1999 — As the nation's ocean science agency, NOAA has many programs that require research below the ocean's surface. Underwater research and experiments are conducted by NOAA scientists, engineers, and technicians who are trained and certified to dive by the NOAA Diving Program (NDP). NDP, under the auspices of Office of NOAA Corps Operations (ONCO), is responsible for overseeing and managing NOAA diving personnel, equipment, and activities ensuring that all diving is performed in a safe and efficient manner.

NOAA divers work in waters throughout the world in conditions that vary from the crystal clear water of a pristine marine sanctuary to the murky and polluted water of a congested harbor. On any given day, NOAA divers deploy and retrieve scientific instruments, document the behavior of fish and other marine animals, perform emergency and routine ship repair and maintenance, assess the impact of man on the environment, or locate and chart submerged objects.

NOAA divers are currently assigned to the following NOAA agencies: ONCO, the National Weather Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the National Ocean Service, and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. With more than 300 active divers, NOAA has the largest complement of divers of any civilian Federal agency.

Averaging more than 9,000 dives per year, the NDP has consistently maintained an excellent diving safety record. This safety record is due to three guiding principles: 1) thorough training, 2) adherence to established standards and procedures, and 3) use of top quality, well-maintained equipment. The NDP provides the means and leadership required for adherence to these principles through its numerous training programs, administrative procedures, and standardized equipment distribution and maintenance program.

The NDP is headquartered at the NOAA Diving Center located at the NOAA Western Regional Center in Seattle, Washington. The Diving Center functions as the administrative support center and primary diver training facility for the NDP. Opened in 1989, the Center includes offices, a modern classroom with state-of-the-art audiovisual capability, dive equipment repair and storage areas, a training tank (30 feet high by 15 feet wide), and three fully-functional hyperbaric chambers (84", 60", 42" diameter). Gas systems consist of a low pressure air system for chamber operations and surface-supplied diving, plus high pressure air and Nitrox systems for scuba diving.

The NDP has established itself as a leading authority in the training of divers and diving-support personnel. A variety of training courses are offered that range in level from basic diving to advanced diving operations and Diver Medical Technician. NDP also trains other federal, state, and local government employees to become qualified divers. NDP is also the approving authority for the NOAA Diving Manual, which is known worldwide as one of the most authoritative resources for scientific and technical diving available today.