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This document contains a total of 5 pages,
Including the cover page. The contents are not
To be disclosed to any unauthorised person
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NAVAL STAFF QUALITATIVE REQUIREMENTS (NSQRs)

FOR DIVERS UNDERWATER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (DUCS)

1. Sponsor : Directorate of Special Ops & Diving

2. Reference of Staff Policy Requirement : DD/1732/ Div Eqpt dated Oct 07

Number

3. Qualitative Requirement : NSQRs

4. Other Qualitative Requirements : Nil

5. Nomenclature : Divers Underwater Communication

System (DUCS)

6. Security Classification : Restricted

7. Priority : Operational

8. Number of Pages : 05

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PART I – GENERAL INFORMATION

9. Purpose.

(a) The requirement of Divers Underwater Communication System (DUCS) is to

provide underwater communication between two divers in water and with the supervisor
on the surface whilst diving/ swimming in buddy pair upto a depth of 55 mts.

(b) The equipment should be compatible with the positive pressure full-face mask or
should be provided with Bone conductors/ transducers to enable communication between
divers and also the supervisor.

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10. Regulation/ Standards. The Divers Underwater Communication System (DUCS) should
comply with the following current International Standards: -

(a) Current MILSPEC/ HSE/ NATO equipment performance standards.

(b) Certification as per ISI/ ISO/ Lloyds/ EN250/ DNV or equivalent Standards.

11. Functionality. The equipment is essentially required to provide continuous

communication between the supervisor on surface and two divers underwater during a diving
operation and free swimming. The role of each item should be as per characteristics
enumerated along with the description/ main features.

PART II

OPERATIONAL CHARACTERISTICS AND FEATURES OF

DIVERS UNDERWATER COMMUNICATION SYSTEM(DUCS)

12. Introduction. The equipment should allow uninterrupted and clear voice
communication between the supervisor on surface and two divers donning DUCS to a depth of
55 mtrs. The diver unit should not require any fine-tuning adjustment underwater and should
be compatible for use with divers face mask with positive pressure inside. The complete kit
should be light, man portable for ease of handling. The equipment should be of non-corrosive,
unbreakable and should have a life of atleast 7 years.

13. General Characteristics. Complete Divers Underwater Communication System

(DUCS) must consist of following accessories: -

(a) Surface Headset and Boom Microphone. The Supervisor on surface can
monitor the voice communication between divers and can also pass instruction to the
divers.

(b) Portable Surface Unit. The portable surface unit enables voice communication
between the two divers in water and the supervisor on surface. Rechargeable batteries
of required rating provide the power to this unit.

(c) Diver Receiver with Microphone. This diver receiver is connected to the
amplifier unit with waterproof communication cable for providing continuous voice
communication between two divers underwater and the supervisor on surface.

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(d) Rechargeable Battery Pack and Charger. The batteries are required to
provide uninterrupted power to the surface unit with the supervisor. The re-chargeable
battery used with the set should be commercially available along with the charger. A fully
charged battery should provide uninterrupted power to the set for at least 6 hours before
recharge is needed.

(e) Conductor Lifeline Communication Rope. Two waterproof communication

cables of 75 mtrs length each with end fittings that connects the two divers Microphone
in water with the Surface Control Panel with the supervisor. The communication rope
should be provided on a portable light weight roller/ drum for stowage and smooth
operation on dive site. The connections should be of material that does not cause
internal wear and tear.

14. Specifications. The complete set should meet the following standard/ requirements: -

(a) The Surface panel should have a provision for receiving two communication
cables, one headset and should have volume control and squelch facility.

(b) The two divers in water and the Supervisor on surface should be able to
communicate without any interference/ interruption to a depth of 55 meters.

(c) Surface unit to have a head set and boom microphone as well as mike for
supervisor.

(d) Facility to record communications on audio / digital tape or videotape if used with
a underwater video TV camera system.

(e) Ergonomic Design.

(i) The equipment should nicely snug/ fit into the facemask of the diver and
should not restrict the divers in any way nor cause any distraction/ discomfort
during a diving operation.

(ii) An additional fitment of belt loop/ hook to be provided for each diver to
remove strain from the joint/ connectors.

(iii) The diver unit of the equipment should not hinder the divers during
emergency ditching of diving set.

(iv) Given the hazardous nature of diving, the equipment should have a
foolproof safety system. Screw joints and washers should be minimum to increase
the reliability of the equipment.
(v) Set should be designed for use in both warm and cold temperatures under
adverse sea/ weather conditions.

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(f) Stowage Container. The DUCS should be provided with a protective casing
for transportation which is man-portable.

(g) Stowage The DUCS should be suitable for tropical conditions and should not
require weather/ temperature controlled stowage.

(h) Buoyancy. The equipment should be as far as possible neutrally buoyant to

avoid discomfort to the diver.

(j) The DUCS should have a provision of being used with Closed Circuit and Re-
Breathers diving sets with a conversion kits supplied as accessories.

15. Documentation.

(a) Complete documentation of handling, preparation, testing, repair of the entire

equipment to be provided.

(b) Should include a computer based training package for routine maintenance and
repair of the equipment.

(c) The life of all consumable subassemblies and spares to be stipulated in the
documentation

(d) Paper particular, company Part numbers with description and layout drawing of all
components of the equipment is to be provided.

(e) Exploitation document including test procedures and maintenance by user is to be

provided.

17. Maintenance and Product Support.

(a) On Board Maintenance. All the items should afford easy on-board maintenance,
by replacement of consumable spare parts or by way of replacement with new items.
The supplier/ OEM is required to recommend the list of onboard spares along with Part
numbers. The equipment should be supplied along with special tool kit and test
equipment as required for the same.

(b) Base and Depot Spares/ Stocking. Manufacturers Recommended List (MRL)
for Base and Depot (B & D) spares and On Board Spares (OBS) must be provided with
cost. Adequacy and continued availability of spares/ replacement of the item (depending
upon the life span) must be ensured prior to placement of orders for these diving
equipment.

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(c) Performance Monitoring. The facility to determine a drop in the

equipment performance relative to the laid down standards at the time of supply should
be provided.

(d) Product Support. The OEM/ supplier should support each item of the equipment
supplied, for a period of its life span. Any obsolescence of the component/ spare/ item
needs to be intimated by the firm, well in time, to enable stocking of spares by the
Indian Navy. The firm should also recommend/ offer suitable substitutes/ replacement
for such components. In addition, up-gradation/ modification to the equipment, resulting
in enhancement in the performance should be intimated and offered to the Indian Navy.

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