Auditor Steffen Scholz ( left ) with Instructor Trainer Denys Ilyushenko

Denys Ilyushenko ( left ) on the EUF-assessed IFC

BSAC HAS PASSED ITS RECENT AUDIT BY THE EUROPEAN UNDERWATER FEDERATION with flying colours , retaining its EUF accreditation for scuba diver and instructor qualifications . The organisation also retained its accreditation for ISO 13970:2011-12 , which is Snorkel Guide .

As the UK national governing body for scuba diving and snorkelling , BSAC is audited every five years by the EUF , which represents scuba diving training organisations across Europe . Accreditation by the EUF not only demonstrates that BSAC ’ s qualifications are aligned with international standards but ensures that they are recognised worldwide .

The three-day EUF assessment took place in September , with assessor , Steffen G . Scholz , spending time at BSAC HQ to inspect its processes and BSAC training , with a particular focus on the updated Dive Leader syllabus , ‘ DL 2023 ’. All of the other BSAC diver grades remain unchanged since the last EUF audit .

He then moved on to observe an Instructor Foundation Course ( IFC ) in Chester before spending time with some of the students and staff , including BSAC Instructor Trainers Ernie Dewhirst and Denys Ilyushenko . Following the EUF audit , BSAC retains the following accreditations :

BSAC ’ s National Diving Officer , Dai Atkins , welcomed the EUF reaccreditation .

“ Retaining our EUF accreditation reflects the level of professionalism across the organisation , from our volunteers to BSAC HQ , and I would like to thank everyone involved in achieving this important standard . It is also a true reflection of the worldwide recognition of our instructor , diver and snorkel training programmes and it is something we should all be proud of .”

THE MARITIME AND COASTGUARD Agency ( MCA ) is asking for UK divers to help identify pollution seeping from historic wrecks .

The MCA occasionally receives reports of oil pollution associated with shipwrecks , although this information is usually received on an ad-hoc basis . While the Government does keep records of known ‘ Potentially Polluting Wrecks ’, these are often incomplete due to the nature of the vessels sinking during times of war .

The MCA has created a short questionnaire , which can be filled out anonymously , so divers , snorkellers and other sea users can privately report their concerns over pollution from a wreck site .

Jayne Ede , MCA ’ s Counter-Pollution and Salvage Officer , said that by completing the form , divers could now help to flesh out the information MCA collates on polluting wrecks .

“ By identifying the toxic legacy of wrecks around our coastline , BSAC members can help improve our knowledge of this situation . Dive clubs may have local knowledge on polluting wrecks which we can add to our records and investigate any requirement for remedial action ,” she explained .

For more information on how to report pollution from wrecks and to access the online reporting form , go to bsac . com / wreckpollution

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