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APPENDIX D
COMMlENTARY ON GAINING
This discussion of training is based largely on Section D of Safety and Operational Guidelines for
Undersea Vehicles, published by the Marine Technology Society in 1974. However, training should require
the development of criteria or standards for an acceptable level of competence of crew members in all their
responsibilities. This is usually referred to as "competency-based" training.
BASIC INDOCTRINATION
Indoctrination can be accomplished in a variety of ways ranging from a formal course to on-thejob
training. The program would be dictated by the size of the class, the time and equipment available, and
other related factors. Regardless of what type of program is used, the use and personal maintenance of a
pilot's or crewman's notebook are strongly urged. This notebook should be initiated at the outset of
training and be maintained as long as the individuals are engaged in submersible activities. The notebook
should contain such things as lecture notes and handouts, system descriptions and sketches, design criteria,
written examinations, ship characteristics, personal observations, etc.
Basic indoctrination must be designed and controlled to ensure that candidates possess as least a
good working knowledge of the following as applied to their vehicle system:
.
submersible principles, ballasting, thrust control, environmental control;
· submersible construction, mechanical systems, electrical systems, propulsion systems, life support
systems, buoyancy emergency systems, hull and structural materials, buoyancy materials;
.
control systems, communications, navigation systems, operational instrumentation;
· all operational and emergency procedures;
· physiological parameters and safety considerations required in the closed environment of the
submersible cabin;
· all test principles and procedures;
· maintenance, overhaul, and documentation requirements and procedures;
· Coast Guard rules and regulations as they apply to passenger submersible operations;
· the ocean environment in and on which the submersible will operate; and
· first aid as taught by the American Red Cross or a branch of military service (this must include
a current cardiopulmonary resuscitation certification).
In general the candidate should become completely familiar with the basic concepts, physical
hardware, and principles of operation of every system and subsystem of the vessel. Written and oral
examinations should be regularly given to determine the effectiveness of the training program.
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OPERATIONAL TRAINING
Operational training should start with a maintenance apprenticeship on the actual vessel. This
apprenticeship should probably be concurrent with classroom work and should track the normal work
activities of the operating team. The candidate would be expected to understand and use checklists to
conduct the routine inspections and required maintenance, under the direction and guidance of the
maintenance chief. At the same time the candidates should be exposed to the work environment and the
overall operation. They should be assigned tasks involving the observation of actual dives, communications,
tracking, etc., during normal operation~lways while under the guidance of qualified team members. In this
manner, useful experience is gained and the trainee acquires confidence in the system and himself.
Additionally, this period should be used to further evaluate the candidates and to provide any supplemental
instruction that may be needed prior to advancing to the final apprenticeship phase under the chief pilot.
The final apprenticeship phase is intended to provide a candidate with the actual on-thejob training
under real conditions that will provide sufficient knowledge of his vehicle, the environment, his support and
handling equipment, and procedures to be able to accomplish his mission in a safe and competent manner.
This phase begins with in water familiarization and training and extends through complete ocean training
leading to solo operation.
As the candidate progresses he should be given increased responsibility including, in the case of
pilot trainees, early hands-on control of the vessel under supervision. When the pilot candidate is
considered ready for qualification he should be able to demonstrate his ability to:
· maneuver the vehicle on the surface, while diving, in mid-water, and on the bottom, while
remaining in full control at all times, perform obstacle avoidance course changes, demonstrate the precision
control required during the course of normal operations, and be able to surface under normal and real or
synthesized casualty conditions;
· to operate all equipment normally installed on or associated with the submersible;
· supervise all support activities and functions such as communications, tracking, operational
replenishment, and any other activities associated with operation of his particular organization;
· perform all emergency procedures including the solving of life support system emergencies that
might occur in the cabin while submerged; and
· provide passenger management during both normal and emergency situations.
A similarly comprehensive training program is recommended for all submersible operational
crewmen. The variables in vehicle design and specific job assignment make the itemization of skills
impossible here; however, the owners or operators are responsible for ensuring that the candidates are
sufficiently trained and have demonstrated their proficiencies in the assigned job.
QUALIFICATION
It should be noted that no attempt has been made to specify the number of hours that this training
should require. It is believed that the variables involved make any such attempt presumptuous; however,
the length of the training course or individual training activity should be long enough to provide confidence
that the trainee has achieved the required skill level or established standard of performance or competency.
Satisfactory completion of a course as outlined above should be sufficient to qualify a person as
a pilot or crewman of that submersible. The qualification should remain in force as long as the pilot is
engaged continuously and actively in the piloting or crowing of the submersible and is able to meet the
required physical criteria. Periodic retesting of skills is not thought to be required for those continuously
engaged in piloting or crowing. Retraining and refresher checkouts are appropriate should any lapse of
continuous submersible activity exceed six months.
Qualification as a submersible pilot or operating crewman should be for only that specific vehicle
in which the qualification was demonstrated. The only possible exception to this policy would exist in the
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case of sister vessels. It should be noted, however, that an experienced pilot or crewman has an excellent
background to call upon should training in another submersible become necessary. This background could
be expected to result in significantly shorter training times than might otherwise be required.
SUPPORT TEAM
Thus far, only the selection and training of submersible operating crews have been addressed. It
is in those roles that the physical requirements, psychological stresses, and individual training requirements
are highest. However, the rest of the operating team—the submersible support group~ust not be taken
for granted or ignored. The satisfactory performance of the mission and the ultimate safety of the
submersible depend in large measure on the performance of these people. The team leader is in charge
of the overall operation. He need not be a qualified pilot but he must be intimately familiar with all
aspects of the total submersible system. He must be a leader, dependable under stress, and capable of
instilling confidence in the team.
The support crew must be a well-drilled and competent team. Each person should be a volunteer
selected on the basis of expertise in a specific discipline related to the submersible and his ability to
function as a team member. Where specific skills are required, such as welding, hydraulic system repair,
and electronic servicing, the technician should be adequately trained and, where applicable, licensed (i.e.,
certified welder).
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Representative terms from entire chapter:
emergency procedures
