XN000022-1979-08-19 — Page 4

SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 1979

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+IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS MOST OF THE LAUNCHES OPERATED BY THE POLICE, MARINE AND IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENTS HAVE BEEN EXTENSIVELY USED TO DEAL WITH THE INFLUX OF REFUGEES,+ HE SAID.

+NEEDLESS TO SAY, THE MORE FREQUENTLY THE LAUNCHES ARE USED. THE MORE OFTEN THEY HAVE TO COME IN FOR REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE.+

APART FROM THESE LAUNCHES, THE DIVERS ALSO HANDLE VESSELS OPERATED BY THE PUBLIC WORKS, CIVIL AVIATION, FIRE SERVICES, PORT HEALTH, CUSTOMS AND EXCISE, PRISONS AND THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENTS.

THE DIVERS, WHO HOLD VARIOUS POSTS RANGING FROM ORDINARY SAILORS, FITTER AND CARPENTER, EACH SPEND UP TO TWO HOURS UNDERWATER EVERYDAY.

THE SPOKESMAN SAID THAT TO QUALIFY AS A DIVER, A PERSON MUST HAVE STRONG PHYSIQUE AS WELL AS A DEEP INTEREST IN DIVING.

HE MUST ALSO PASS A MEDICAL TEST BEFORE HE COULD UNDERGO AN INTENSIVE TRAINING COURSE WITH THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT WHERE HE WOULD BE TRAINED IN DIVING AND THE OPERATION OF THE NECESSARY EQUIPMENT, HE SAID.

THE VOLUNTEER DIVERS, WHO RECEIVE NOMINAL PAY FOR THEIR EXTRA EFFORTS, HAVE HELPED THE GOVERNMENT SAVE A GREAT DEAL OF TIME, MANPOWER AND MONEY, HE SAID.

+THEIR EXCELLENT WORK ENABLES US TO AVOID CONTRACTING OUT TO PRIVATE DIVERS, UNLESS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY, WHO NORMALLY CHARGE A MINIMUM OF $250 EVERY TIME THEY GO UNDER, HE EXPLAINED.

+FURTHERMORE, IN CERTAIN CASES WE DON'T HAVE TO 'SLIP A VESSEL FOR EMERGENCY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE JOB CAN BE DONE UNDERWATER BY OUR OWN DIVERS. SUCH 'SLIPPING' COULD INVOLVE EIGHT MEN WITH THE DAILY RENT OF A SLIPWAY BEING $600,+ HE ADDED.

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