# The Merchant Shipping (Submersible Craft Operations) Regulations 1987, Regulation 7: Operations controller


(1) The operations controller shall not permit the submersible operations to begin unless—
(a) the master has confirmed in the light of his duties under regulation 3 that it is safe to do so;
(b) there is produced to him a valid safety certificate issued by the Secretary of State under the Merchant Shipping (Submersible Craft Construction and Safety) Regulations 1981 in respect of the submersible craft and its supporting equipment;
(c) regulation 5(1)(m) has been complied with;
(d) records show that post-dive checks carried out on the submersible craft and all its associated systems after its last previous dive and that any defects indicated by such checks have been made good and signed for by the person responsible for maintenance of the submersible craft and countersigned by the operations controller;
(e) a pre-dive check on the submersible craft and its associated systems has been carried out within 6 hours of the commencement of the dive by the pilot and the pre-dive check list has been signed by the pilot and countersigned by the operations controller;
(f) he has ensured that the pilot is familiar with the matters referred to in Schedule 1 and has been briefed on and provided with a copy of the emergency procedures laid down in the operational manual;
(g) the pilot and the crew (if any) of the submersible craft have been fully briefed as to their duties and mission;
(h) the wind, sea state, visibility and predicted tidal currents are within the specified limits for safe operation as detailed in the operations manual;
(i) the submersible craft has adequate mid-water control, and the water depth is not greater than the maximum operating depth of the submersible craft;
(j) the pilot and crew have had adequate rest;
(k) the supporting equipment has been checked and is in working order;
(l) a sufficient number of competent persons are present to operate any plant, equipment, or other facilities necessary for the safe conduct of the submersible operation.
(2) The operations controller shall ensure that the communications systems referred to in regulation 5(1)(c) are tested at the earliest possible opportunity in the submersible operation and are in good order.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1987/311/regulation/7 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/merchant-shipping-submersible-craft-operations-regulations-1987/regulation-7
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.