Admiralty Fleet Orders
*857.-Ratings-Clearance Diver-New Specialist Qualification-Introduction
(N.2/T.A.S.W. 103/51. -7 Mar. 1952.)
It has been decided to introduce a full specialist qualification entitled "Clearance Diver". Details of the duties will be supplied to ratings on application to their Commanding Officers in the normal Service manner.
2. There will be three classes of Clearance Diver, third, second and first class, and Clearance Divers may qualify as Commissioned Boatswain (C.D.) about which full particulars will be published in due course. The Clearance Diver, unlike the standard diver, will be employed full time in his specialist qualification, except during his general Service time, and will be ineligible to hold any other specialist qualification simultaneously. He cannot qualify as standard diver in addition to Clearance Diver.
3. In peacetime, C.D. ratings will be employed mainly in C.D. teams both at home and abroad, and in the T.A.S. Schools. Approximately one-third of a C.D.’s time will be in general service (i.e., not in C.D. billet).
4. Clearance Divers will remain within the T.A.S. framework and, where practicable, should be included in the T.A.S. division.
5.
Ratings Eligible.-Candidates for Clearance Diver will be accepted from volunteers from the Seaman Branch only, including seamen already qualified in standard diving.
The conditions of acceptance for the various courses are:-
(a) For course to qualify as C.D.3
(i) The rating must be either an A.B. without specialist qualification or an Ordinary Seaman passed for A.B.
(ii) He must be able to swim (P.P.T.).
(iii) He must be medically fit in accordance with B.R. 1750A (50), paragraphs 90-96.
(iv) He must be recommended as having a strong sense of responsibility and be reliable and intelligent.
(v) He must be under 25 years of age.
(b) For course to qualify as C.D.2
(i) A rating must have at least two year’s seniority as C.D.3.
(ii) He must have more than two years to complete current engagement or, for men who have re-engaged, more than three years to complete time for pension.
(c) For course to qualify as C.D.1
(i) A rating must have served not less than two years as a Leading Seaman or above and must have passed for Petty Officer.
(ii) He must have at least one year’s seniority as C.D.2.
(iii) He must have served for not less than a total of four years as C.D.2 and C.D.3.
(iv) He must have more than two years to complete current engagement or, for men who have re-engaged, more than three years to complete time for pension.
6. Existing Divers (C).-Subject to recommendation, Divers (C) of the Seaman Branch will be given the C.D. qualification equivalent to that which they now hold and will be given conversion courses as necessary to bring them up to date in all duties of the new qualification. Stoker Mechanic ratings will be ineligible for Clearance Diving and must relinquish any Diver (C) qualification they may hold. They will, however, continue to be available for normal diving duties and will retain the qualification in standard diving (Diver 2 or 3) equivalent to the Diver (C) qualification they last held.
7. Pay.- The C.D. qualification will count as a full specialist qualification for pay purposes. Clearance Divers will not be eligible for retainer payable under B.R. 1950, Article 575, No. 12, but dip money is to be paid to C.D. personnel on the following scale:-
Up to 20 fathoms .. .. .. .. 2d. per minute
Over 20 fathoms .. .. .. .. 4d. per minute
Over 30 fathoms .. .. .. .. 6d. per minute
Over 40 fathoms .. .. .. .. 10d. per minute
Clearance Divers will not at present normally dive deeper than 20 fathoms though, with improved equipment and techniques, greater depths may be practicable in the future.
8. Unfitness to dive.-A qualified Clearance Diver who becomes medically unfit for underwater work must relinquish his C.D. qualification. Such ratings will be given the opportunity to transfer to an U.W. Specialist Qualification equivalent to their C.D. S.Q. If the reasons for medical unfitness are beyond the rating’s own control he may continue to be paid as a C.D. (1, 2 ,or 3) for six months or until he acquires a corresponding U.W. S.Q., whichever is the shorter.
9. Recommendations and Notations of Qualifications.-Names of recommended volunteers for C.D. should be forwarded on Form S.1303 to the Captain, H.M.S. "Vernon", with a copy to the Captain, H.M.S. "Lochinvar". Pending the issue of a History Sheet specifically for C.D.s, results of courses, etc. are to be entered on Form S.1246M, R.N. Diver-History Sheet, the headings of which should be amended as necessary.
10. Badges.-Information concerning the badges to be worn by Clearance Divers will be promulgated in due course.
11. Officers.-A separate Admiralty Fleet Order will be issued concerning the qualification of officers in clearance diving duties and their subsequent employment.
(B.Rs. 1750A (50) and 1950, Article 575.)
L.C.A.F.O. 97.-Ratings-Clearance Diver-New Specialist Qualification-Duties and Training
(N2/T.A.S.W. 103/51.-28 Mar. 1952.)
It has been decided to introduce a full specialist qualification entitled "Clearance Diver". Clearance Diver (C.D.) ratings will be employed mainly in C.D. teams both at home and abroad, in mine hunting ships and in the T.A.S. Schools.
2. C.D. duties will include mine hunting, dock and harbour surveys, bomb and mine disposal, the clearance of underwater obstacles from beach approaches and the location and disposal of the infernal machines that may be attached by the enemy to ships, docks, etc. The importance of these tasks is emphasised and Commanding Officers are to inform ratings of the contents of this Order on being requested to do so in accordance with A.F.O. 857/52. (Ratings-Clearance Diver-New Specialist Qualification-Introduction.)
3.
Establishment.-Initially, the establishment of C.D. ratings will be limited to 200. These 200 ratings will form a nucleus for the rapid expansion that can be expected in war.
4.
Courses.| Ratings Eligible |
Establishment, Approximate Duration and Content of Course |
Qualifies for |
|
Ord. Sea. Passed for A.B. or A.B. without specialist qualification. |
H.M.S. "Vernon"- 3 weeks. Shallow water diving and brief acquaintance with standard diving equipment |
Shallow water Diver. |
| A.B.(S.W.D.) | H.M.S. "Lochinvar"
- 14 weeks. Clearance
diving, underwater swimming,
rendering mines safe and beach obstacle clearance. School of Military Engineering, Chatham- 3 weeks. Bomb disposal. |
C.D.3 |
| C.D.3 |
H.M.S. "Lochinvar"- 6 weeks. Clearance diving, R.M.S. techniques and damage control. |
C.D.2 |
| C.D.2 |
H.M.S. "Lochinvar"- 6 weeks. Clearance diving, R.M.S. techniques and damage control. |
C.D.1 |
The courses for C.D.3 will normally be taken immediately following that for S.W.D.
Candidates for C.D.3 who are already shallow water divers will not do the full three weeks in H.M.S. "Vernon" but will be given a short refresher course.
(A.F.O. 857/52.)