RE: [PSUBS-MAILIST] Convention Emergency Dive Plan

[MerlinSub@t-online.de]

> There is a long tradition in maritime law of captains having extraordinary freedoms that would not be granted to an individual on land. Captains have, under certain situations, rights to put people in jail, sell a ship or cargo that does not belong to them, or even perform marriages. As I recall, there are two reasons for this. First, a vessel at sea is physically cut off from the legal system governing us on land (e.g. you can't call the cops). Second, emergencies may arise that require prompt action and an effective command structure without second guessing. Why do I go off on this tangent? Think of a PSUB in an emergency deep underwater, and whether those two conditions apply. I think everyone would agree the builder and operator of a particular PSUB is best placed to take whatever decision they must, regardless of what convention rules or the queen of England might say. 
>  
> What I would suggest is that PSUBS as such continue to organize the land based activities on the understanding that the captains are sovereign while afloat. This doesn't mean people cannot use emails to exchange ideas about how to operate in the safest way, or to coordinate logistics. I'd welcome any discussion along those lines, including the development of suggested operating procedures. But as Jon pointed out, PSUBS has no authority to enforce the rules. I believe this means they would not, in fact, be rules at all. Just recommendations.
 
> thanks,
>  
> Alec

Hi Alec ! Great and true words - like to read it !

On the other side.. if you responsible for the invertation to a sub convention and somebody ask to get in with his obviously unsafe sub - build from old oildrums - petrol driven and tanks blown by propan (for example only.. ;-) ) what will you do? 

I would like to require a minimum standard which can easy fullfill by any sub builder.. No wizzard work - just a emergency breahting device, a drop weight, signal bouy, no weapons on board..(this rule for US only.. smile..) etc. etc. 

regards Carsten









************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
The personal submersibles mailing list complies with the US Federal
CAN-SPAM Act of 2003.  Your email address appears in our database
because either you, or someone you know, requested you receive messages
from our organization.

If you want to be removed from this mailing list simply click on the
link below or send a blank email message to:
	removeme-personal_submersibles@psubs.org

Removal of your email address from this mailing list occurs by an
automated process and should be complete within five minutes of
our server receiving your request.

PSUBS.ORG
PO Box 311
Weare, NH  03281
603-529-1100
************************************************************************
************************************************************************
************************************************************************