Page 27 - Signal Winter 2019

Beneath The Waves
The Naval Service Diving Section (NSDS) represents a unique asset to both the Defence Forces and, by extension, the State. The NSDS provides a number of advanced and highly technical sub surface roles in support of the Defence Forces and other state agencies.
The Section provides the Naval Service with a dive capability down to a depth of fifty metres, with the addition of technology such as Remote Operated Vehicles, magnetometer and sonar. The addition of this technology provides the NSDS with the ability to project its work at a much further depth than that at which divers can safely operate. The Section’s ROV is approved to operate at a depth of up to 1000 metres.
Petty Officer Dave O’Gorman is the Chief Electrical Artificer for the NSDS, a role which involves regular maintenance and repair work to ensure both diver equipment and related technology is ready for usage whenever the NSDS are called upon. “The Section operates at a very high level, with equipment to match so there’s a lot of work in ensuring that what they are using is operating properly. Due to the nature of the work, there is no room for error when it comes to equipment safety. There is a lot of pressure on the section in terms of maintaining the required numbers and on the maintenance side there is also a lot of pressure, as we are having to fulfill multiple roles due to the current manpower pressures within the Naval service,” he explains.
Petty Officer O’Gorman says that although the numbers within the NSDS and other elements for the Naval Service bring increased pressure, it is a situation that he doesn’t think will continue indefinitely. “To be honest I think the situation will improve because it has to, it can’t continue as it is, so we have to get on with our jobs as best we can. There is still a great sense of camaraderie throughout the Service, and we all put in our best effort because if you don’t then someone else beside you will have to pick up the slack.”
The roles of the NSDS are primarily as follows:
• Search & Recovery
• Underwater Surveying
• Explosive Ordnance Disposal
• Underwater Engineering
• Military Diving Training
The NSDS are frequently called upon in search and recovery missions such as that the try and locate the lost crew of Coastguard helicopter Rescue 61 in Blacksod Bay. They also recover evidence for Gardai or conduct underwater vessel inspections on behalf of the Gardai or Customs Services. In terms of EOD, the most common tasks are the recovery and disposal of mines, depth charges and other submarine weapons dating back to the Second World War. The NSDS are also responsible for military diving training within the Defence Forces and as such work with the Defence Force’s Special Operations Force, the Army Ranger Wing in combat diving tactics and techniques. Training for the NSDS is robust and demanding, with a pass rate of, on average, 13%. Of every thirty personnel who apply to commence training with the Section, only four will complete the course and become members of the NSDS. The training lasts over 10 weeks and consists of Scuba and Surface Supplied Diving Equipment (SSDE) diving in extreme conditions, and also conducting zero visibility seabed search techniques in rough weather and strong tides. The NSDS is frequently deployed on Naval Vessels as part of operations and is tasked with specific roles depending on the requirements of the service or related state agencies. Those tasked with military diving need a significant back-up presence to ensure their equipment is both present and in optimum condition. “The ROV’s in particular require a significant amount of maintenance considering the work they do,” adds Petty Officer O’Gorman. “Whatever equipment forms part of the NSDS, it is the role of Artificer’s like myself to have it maintained and ready for use when it’s called for, it’s very specialised and sophisticated equipment so, like every other aspect of the NSDS, it requires updating and constant work to ensure it can deliver as it should in the most robust conditions.”
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| WINTER ‘19 | | 27