Research Diving

What is research diving

Research diving is the professional application of the method of „diving“ to achieve scientific objectives underwater. The specialist fields involved can be very diverse and include, amongst others, scientific work in the fields of biology, geology, chemistry, physics, underwater archaeology, diving medicine, environmental sciences and engineering. Applications in the broadcasting and television sectors, as well as in business administration and marketing, also form part of the scope of work.

In the commercial, i.e. professional, sector, the „Certified Research Diver“ training programme exists in accordance with DGUV REGEL 101-023 „Research Diving“ and is therefore subject tot he German Social Accident Insurance (DGUV) as the competent state institution. It forms the basis for the socially insured employment of students, technical and scientific staff who carry out diving operations for scientific purposes.

Research Diving at IOW

Research diving is a central component of scientific work at the IOW and is becoming increasingly important, particularly as shallow-water research intensifies. Many measurements, sampling operations and the deployment of complex underwater instruments in coastal areas would not be possible without scientific divers. The IOW’s diving team is an interdisciplinary group comprising specialists from the fields of marine biology, marine geology, marine chemistry, physical oceanography and engineering. Depending on the project workload, between 150 and 400 dives are carried out at the IOW each year. The range of activities is very diverse and includes sampling various habitats, the underwater installation and removal of marine technology and its maintenance, underwater photography and videography with georeferencing, and the development of underwater measurement technology. In doing so, we develop bespoke diving concepts tailored tot he scientific tasks at hand, in accordance with the regulations of DGUV R 101-023.

Projects

These are some of the projects we are working on:

• ArKoBi
• FINO2
• MARNET
• MV Seagrass for Climate
• S2B Shallow water
• Seastore 2
• STATUS
• Research Diver Training

Equipment

• Research vessels and workboats (EMB, Klaashahn, Limanda (University of Rostock), Dinghy)

• Bauer compressors

• Scooters

• OTS Buddy Phone

• EANx equipment

• DAN rescue kit

• Cameras: Nikon D7000 (Hugyfot), Paralenz Vaquita, GoPro 8

• Underwater GPS

• Nitrox

• Lifting bags

• and much more...