Diving Assurance Support

The Maritime Head of Engineering Assurance (HEA), formerly Ships Engineering HQ, had historically depended on internal resources to deliver and approve key engineering assurance outputs.

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), now National Armaments Director Group, requires specialist commercial diving expertise to conduct assurance audits against the Diving at Work Regulations 1997, supporting its regulatory obligations for contracted diving activities. Each selected diving contractor will be audited on a three-year cycle, in line with Defence Maritime Regulator requirements.

Dive Safe Services® Ltd provided the Authority with a comprehensive audit plan setting out the framework, processes and methodology for delivering this end-to-end assurance activity. The work includes audits of Diving Safety Management Systems (DSMS), diving plans and operational records in accordance with the Diving at Work Regulations.

Audits will be undertaken at specified contractual locations across the United Kingdom and overseas, ensuring consistent assurance of diving activities wherever they are delivered.

Category: Diving Assurance & Compliance

Location: United Kingdom & International

Date: June 2025 ongoing

Job Overview

An expected six audits each contract year with one to be conducted at a foreign location. UK audits are expected to be conducted within Naval Bases such as Portsmouth, Plymouth, Faslane, Glasgow and Edinburgh.  The scope of the audit is to cover all completed diving activities as well as diving activities planned for the next 5 years.

Key Tasks

• Conduct audits on DE&S selected commercial diving contractors;

• Conduct site audits using a bespoke diving compliance pro forma;

• Advise on corrective action abatement plans;

• Review Diving Project Plans and Method Statements (RAMS); and

• Advise the Authority on commercial diving.