Provision of Telemetry Systems for Naval Military Diving PMEN

Descriptions

The user requires a DLSE Telemetry capability that provides real-time data collection and monitoring capabilities for divers, enhancing diver safety and improving diving management of the diving project. The diving telemetry system should provide real-time data collection, safety features, data logging, durability, compatibility and a user-friendly interface to enhance the diving experience and ensure diver safety. The system should be compatible with current in service DLSE and potential future replacements that are currently being investigated. It should offer wireless connectivity options, such as Bluetooth to enable seamless communication with diver worn systems as well as smartphones, tablets, or other external devices utilised on the surface by the surface crew. The capability shall be specified, acquired, operated and maintained so that risks to users’ lives and health are As Low as Reasonably Practicable (ALARP) within the Military Diving Safety and Environmental Management System (SEMS) under JSP 286 Defence Diving Regulations, whilst also safeguarding the operational effectiveness and unique nature of tasks defined in the JSP 286 Defence Diving Guidance (the Defence Code of Practice) and BRd 2808 – Diver Underwater Tasks Manual. Military Diving requires a rapidly deployable capability that can function worldwide, in austere operating locations, within variable quality of water and water conditions encountered in the world’s oceans, harbours, rivers, lakes and inland waterways (including moving water environments). Subsurface Conditions. Military Diving will continue to operate in both the operational and training environments in worldwide diving locations. The diving conditions vary from benign (controlled environment training area) to challenging (flowing water and ice diving), with extremes of water temperature, varying levels of in water visibility and poor levels of water quality. Surface Conditions. To meet worldwide military tasking, the capability must be operable in extreme and austere Surface Environmental considerations – humidity, dust, freezing, heat and solar exposure. Experience has proven that military tasks will often need to be conducted from improvised points of entry and platforms of opportunity making the ruggedisation and minimisation of equipment/transport packaging key to safe and effective employment. Depth & Duration. Diving telemetry will have utility across both air and mixed gas diving DLSE. Therefore, it will be required to operate to meet the range of requirements across multiple user groups. The maximum depth requirement identified is 100m with a maximum duration requirement of 10 hours for location and 6 hours for diving data. Equipment design should minimise snagging risks and not significantly increase the diver’s fluid dynamic profile in flowing water. The telemetry equipment must be protected during entry and recovery of the diver to the water with consideration for detached diving from a small platform. It must also be provided with adequate protection during transportation to the dive site. It should be maintainable through equipment life, predominantly by trained users and with limited OEM maintenance requirements.