46 CFR § 197.430 - Scuba Diving.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s197.430"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 197.430 - SCUBA diving."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "197.430"
section_name: "SCUBA diving."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "V"
subchapter_name: "MARINE OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH STANDARDS"
part_number: "197"
part_name: "GENERAL PROVISIONS"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1509; 43 U.S.C. 1333; 46 U.S.C. 3306, 3703, 6101; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1."
regulatory_source: "CGD 76-009, 43 FR 53683, Nov. 16, 1978, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "197"
---


# 197.430 SCUBA diving.

The diving supervisor shall insure that—

(a) SCUBA diving is not conducted—

(1) Outside the no-decompression limits;

(2) At depths greater than 130 fsw;

(3) Against currents greater than one (1) knot unless line-tended; and

(4) If a diver cannot directly ascend to the surface unless line-tended;

(b) The SCUBA diver has the equipment required by § 197.346(a);

(c) A standby diver is available while a diver is in the water;

(d) A diver is line-tended from the surface or accompanied by another diver in the water in continuous visual contact during the diving operation;

(e) When a diver is in a physically confining space, another diver is stationed at the underwater point of entry and is line-tending the diver; and

(f) A boat is available for diver pickup when the divers are not line-tended from the dive location.