30.G Scientific Snorkeling.
30.G.01 Scientific snorkeling will be conducted only with prior acceptance of the DDC.
30.G.02 Scientific snorkeling will be allowed only for environmental assessments such as fish surveys, stream surveys, and the like. It will not be used for structural inspections or other work.
30.G.03 An on-site snorkeling team must be made up of no less than two persons: snorkeler, and observer/assistant. Additional site personnel may be required by the DDC or Safety Office DSR based on site hazards and conditions. Snorkeling team plans and procedures must be developed and enacted by a team supervisor who is qualified and experienced in scientific snorkeling.
30.G.04 Quality assurance for contractor snorkeling operations will be provided by USACE certified Diving Inspectors or qualified USACE scientific snorkelers.
30.G.05 Scientific snorkeling will only be done on the surface of the water. No diving of any kind is permitted.
- Untethered scientific snorkeling will NOT be allowed in waters deeper than 5 ft (1.5 m), in bodies of water that a snorkeler cannot wade across, or anywhere a pressure differential may exist.
- Scientific snorkeling in open waters greater than 5 feet deep may be allowed by the local DDC based on an acceptable AHA and compliance with all of the following:
- (1) The snorkeler must be tethered with a harness and a maximum of 40 ft (12.2 m) of floating line;
- (2) The tether must be constantly tended from the shore or boat;
- (3) The snorkeler must wear a device providing a minimum of 15.5 lbs (7 kg) of positive buoyancy (Type III PFD, fully inflated snorkeling vest, etc.), and
- (4) There are no potential tether entanglement hazards in the snorkeling area (overhanging branches, surface stumps, rocks, etc.).
Snorkler Certification
30.G.06 All snorkelers and observers/assistants will be certified as skin divers (snorkelers) or open water divers by a nationally-recognized organization (e.g., Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), National Association of Underwater Instructors (NAUI), etc.) or the U.S. Forest Service Snorkel Safety Program.
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30-18. When may untethered scientific snorkeling be conducted or allowed?
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