Diver Safety Efforts Recognized

Chevron Environmental Management Co.’s Abandonment Division recently recognized Louisiana Sea Grant and LSU AgCenter Extension agent Thu Bui with a Vessel Encroachment Award.

Bui has been working since 2012 with Aqueos Corp. to make commercial and recreational fishermen aware when divers are in the water and that boats should keep their distance. The educational project began with bilingual signage at marinas instructing boaters about day and night diving shapes, and educating dive and fishing boats on how to communicate with each other.

Last year, working with the U.S. Coast Guard, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and commercial fishing organizations such as the Southern Shrimp Alliance, Bui promoted a responsible mariner practices educational plan geared toward both dive vessels and fishermen. The effort included dive awareness brochures, posters and decals, as well as outreach efforts reaching nearly 400 fishermen at the Louisiana Fisheries Summit and Delcambre Dock Days. Additionally, oilfield support firms and diving companies implemented mariner safety communication methods in their weekly safety drills.

Sea Grant also has promoted the use of spar buoys, which are now being used by the diving industry to indicate where divers are submerged.

 Slideshow cover photo credit: NOAA Photo Library