Dive equipment policy

When travelling onboard any of NorthLink Ferries’ vessels with diving equipment, there are procedures which must be followed to ensure the safety of the passengers, crew and vessels.

Any receptacle which has previously contained Dangerous Goods, even oxygen / compressed air, is regarded as Dangerous Goods until it has been certified as clean or gas free as dictated by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG Code).

Fully charged diving air cylinders can be shipped in the owners vehicle or within our specialist dive containers under the appropriate provisions of the IMDG Code on our services as a compressed gas with the appropriate documentation. (Please contact our freight dept. 08001114434 for further information)

Alternatively diving cylinders may be carried with valves fully open ensuring they are gas and pressure free. This means that you do not require any documentation in order to travel. Diving cylinders may be subject to inspection by a member of the shore side staff or ships crew.

Diving cylinders may not be taken as hand baggage by foot passengers.

Carrying Charged Cylinders

When carrying fully charged cylinders on any of our vessels, it is a legal requirement to complete the relevant dangerous goods paperwork in order to travel.The document standard accepted is SITPRO 1999/2003/2009 or the NorthLink Ferries Dangerous Goods Note.

This document should be completed with the appropriate information obtained from the IMDG Code in relation to the type of hazard that the cylinder presents.

A copy of the completed document must be forwarded to us no later than 24 hours prior to departure and the original document must be handed in at the port when travelling.

Details on how to complete this document can be found on the reverse side of the dangerous goods form. The information required to complete the form can be found in the IMDG Code (please ensure you use the most up-to-date version for reference).

Cylinders must also have an in-date test certificate as specified by the IMDG Code.A pdf version of the NorthLink Dangerous Goods form, along with instructions for completion, is available at the foot of this document to download.

Carrying Empty Cylinders

Diving cylinders may be carried with valves fully open ensuring they are gas and pressure free. this means that you do not require any documentation in order to travel. Diving cylinders may be subject to inspection by a member of the shore side staff or ships crew.

Dive Containers

Using our specialist dive containers, you can store all of your hazardous material in an enclosed space, which is then stored on the secured vehicle deck of the vessel during the voyage. These containers are designed to carry six average-sized dive kits.

When travelling as a foot passenger, without a vehicle, these containers are required to safely store your diving equipment. We will provide these containers free of charge. Please note that due to limited availability, these containers must be booked in advance by contacting our Customer Service Centre on 08001114422 (free from UK landlines and mobiles).

Dive containers are not required when you are travelling in your own vehicle. However the same conditions apply to fully charged cylinders. Alternatively you may carry empty cylinders, with valves open, without documentation.

If you intend to carry fully charged cylinders in your own vehicle, please be aware that your vehicle must also be identifiable by using Dangerous Goods Placards as specified in the IMDG Code.

NOTICE – Gases such as “Oxygen, Compressed” and “Air, Compressed” may be carried in accordance with the relevant national and international regulations, and as per any additional condition(s) applied by NorthLink Ferries.

Please note that most mixes of ‘Nitrox’, ‘Trimix’ or ‘Heliox’ cannot be carried on our class of passenger vessels, as stipulated by the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code (IMDG). We require a UN Number from the Material Safety Data Sheet for gas cylinders prior to confirmation of booking.

For any further information or to book a dive container please contact us.
Tel: 08001114422 (free from UK landlines and mobiles). E-mail: [email protected] Fax: 01856 851795

Read our quick-step guide to completing the NorthLink Ferries Dangerous Goods Declaration Form

Download our Dangerous Goods Declaration Form

Header image: Diver in Scapa Flow, Orkney photo © Copyright Charles Tait