Advancing technology and reasonable regulations: Coast guard rules on commercial diving operations

The Coast Guard rules governing certain commercial diving operations were published in 1978. Advances brought about by marketplace competition as well as research and development require flexibility and common sense when writing and implementing safety regulations. Deeper working dives, extended bottom times, increased use of manned submersibles, the advent of one-atmosphere suits and other changes all place burdens on an agency's ability to perform their legislated tasks in a professional manner. As a partner in the progress of ocean development, some of our general policies and how we have reacted to this in our diving rules will be discussed, noting specific examples.