Diving Officer
WSBA Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC Branch 107(S)
SO2 J2 Security
HeadquartersBritishForcesCyprus BFPO53
Telephone:0035725963303 Military Network: 94120 - 3303
Fax: 0035725962446 Fax: 94120 - 2446
E-Mail: BFC-HQ-J2-SO2-SY
Gp Capt R J C Powell OBEChairman
Royal Air Force Sub-Aqua Association / Reference: / Aki/Safe Water 2008
Date: / 23 Jun 08
APPLICATION FOR SAFE WATER STATUS - WSBA SUB-AQUA CLUB - RAF AKROTIRI
Reference:
A. AF/1036/79/C’man dated 14 Jan 07.
B. Joint Service Sub-Aqua Diving Regulations (JSSADRs) – dated 01 Apr 08.
C. BSAC DTP 2008.
D. BSAC Leaflet T12 – Try Dive Guide.
E. BSAC Leaflet T1 – Pool Safety Officers Guidelines.
1. Reference A was your letter of approval that confirmed award of Safe Water Status for the Western Sovereign Base Area (WSBA) Sub-Aqua Club (BSAC Branch 107(S) at RAF Akrotiri. The Club has a membership with qualifications ranging from Ocean Divers (Under Training) to Advanced Divers. We currently have a small number of OWIs, 3 AIs and 2 SADS, although this will reduce to an AI / SADS in the next few weeks.
2. All Club diving is carried out in accordance with Reference B under the supervision of the SADS. Although RAF Akrotiri has a swimming pool, the Club is not authorised to use it (for training) because PEd Staff are concerned that divers could inadvertently damage this heavily committed facility. Consequently, all Try-dives and Ocean Diver sheltered water training, which could otherwise be done in a pool under the supervision of a suitable NQI, are necessarily conducted under the supervision of the SADS, in our designated Try-Dive/Training Area.
3. The Club Try-Dive/Training Area is a small part of, and sits well within, the wider RAF Akrotiri Marine Reserve, immediately adjacent to the Club, out to a maximum depth of 4m. The SBA Ordinances for the Protection of Sea Bathers legislate that the outer limits of all sea bathing areas are marked by officially placed buoys and movement within such bounded areas, by boats, is strictly prohibited by law (except where authorised boat lanes exist). The Akrotiri Reserve is fully contained within that legislated area. When diving is taking place in the Reserve the Club displays a highly visible A-flag on the shore.
4. The Try-Dive Route is clearly marked out on the seabed by rope. Club Try-Dive Leaders are naturally very familiar with the route but are nevertheless briefed, in accordance with local SOPs, not to stray from the line. Notwithstanding this arrangement, the depth of the sea in this area does not increase much beyond 6m for some distance offshore. The seabed in the reserve is sand and rock with small patches of eelgrass. There are some items of interest in the area including anchors, a fire engine chassis and an old Army Scout Helicopter but none offer an opportunity to ‘swim-through’ or present a significant risk of entanglement. A sizeable and robust raft is anchored in water of approximately 4m depth on the edge of the designated Try-Dive Route.
5. Throughout the summer months, May to Sep, the prevailing wind at RAF Akrotiri is westerly, generating an offshore breeze on the Club’s beach, which usually guarantees a sea state of flat to calm in the Marine Reserve. Visibility is typically in excess of 20m and there are no discernible currents.
6. We enjoy a constant demand for Try-Dives and always endeavour to meet such requests as a means to attract both financial income, which helps keep diving costs down and keep the sport within the reach of junior ranks and their dependants, as well as meeting ever-rising kit replacement and maintenance costs. Try-Dives are also a very effective means of attracting new Club members which, given the nature of overseas tours, is a constant struggle if the Club is to remain viable as a Branch.
7. Similarly, the constant demand for training within the Branch, particularly at Ocean Diver and Sports Diver levels, place a significant burden on the SADS to ensure that he is always present to allow programmed training courses to continue. With only one SADS within the Branch, the entire training programme is at risk if the SADS is suddenly unavailable due to work commitments etc.
8. The award of Approved Safe Water Status for our Training Area would provide the Club with the flexibility to continue such programmed training, under the direct supervision of a NQI, when the SADS is not available. Therefore we request such authorisation in accordance with the conditions you stipulated previously in Reference A (reproduced in the boxes below for clarity) although we would wish you to consider some slight amendments (highlighted):
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9. Our location in Cyprus enables us to introduce a significant number of personnel and dependants to this adventurous activity. Additionally, Try-dives provide a substantial percentage of the Club’s annual income and if we were to lose that income, membership fees would have to increase significantly for members and would potentially debar or deter junior ranks from taking up the sport.
10. We believe that the Akrotiri Marine Reserve, and in particular the area within it used for training and try dives, presents a very benign environment during the summer months. The restrictions imposed by operating under Open Water conditions is placing a huge onus on our only SADS and is severely limiting our training activities. It is therefore requested that the WSBA SAC be granted authority to use the Akrotiri Marine Reserve as a Safe Water Area for try-dive and diver training in accordance with the above conditions. This application has the full support of the OIC, the Training Officer and the Club Committee. If you require any further information or clarification please contact the undersigned.
Original Signed
K M O’NEILL
Sqn Ldr
Diving Officer BSAC Branch 107(S)
SADS 1344
Copy:
HQ BFC - SO2 J3 Trg
File
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