Product Overview

Summary: This Shark Diving Protocols Safe Operating Procedure sets out clear, step-by-step requirements for planning and conducting shark dives safely in Australian waters. It helps operators control high-risk marine hazards, protect divers and crew, and demonstrate due diligence under Australian WHS and maritime safety laws.

Shark diving is a high-consequence activity that demands rigorous planning, disciplined execution, and clear, rehearsed emergency procedures. This Safe Operating Procedure provides a structured framework for managing shark diving operations in Australian waters, including cage diving, baited and non-baited encounters, and snorkel or scuba-based experiences. It defines the minimum safety controls required for vessel operations, diver briefings, water entry and exit, shark interaction protocols, and emergency response, ensuring that every dive is conducted in a controlled and predictable way.

The document is designed to help marine tourism and dive operators meet their obligations under Australian WHS legislation and maritime safety requirements, while also protecting their brand and licence to operate. It addresses the specific risks of working around large predatory marine animals, managing mixed-experience client groups, and operating in dynamic open-water conditions. By implementing this SOP, businesses can standardise their practices across crews and locations, improve incident preparedness, and provide clear evidence of a robust safety management system to regulators, insurers, and clients.

Key Benefits

• Ensure a consistent, defensible approach to shark diving operations across all vessels and sites.
• Reduce the likelihood of serious injury or fatality by controlling diver, vessel and wildlife interaction risks.
• Demonstrate compliance with Australian WHS and maritime safety obligations, supporting licensing and insurance requirements.
• Improve crew confidence and decision-making through clear role definitions, checklists and emergency procedures.
• Enhance client trust and reputation by showcasing a professional, safety-led approach to shark encounters.

Who is this for?

• Dive Operations Managers
• Shark Dive Guides and Instructors
• Skippers and Vessel Masters
• WHS Managers and Safety Officers
• Marine Tourism Business Owners
• Dive Boat Crew
• Contract Dive Supervisors
• Training and Induction Coordinators

Hazards Addressed

• Shark bites and aggressive animal behaviour during in-water activities
• Entrapment or equipment snagging in shark cages, lines or vessel fittings
• Drowning and near-drowning incidents due to panic, entanglement or medical events
• Decompression illness and barotrauma associated with scuba shark dives
• Slips, trips and falls on wet decks during gearing up and water entry/exit
• Man-overboard incidents in rough seas or during cage deployment and recovery
• Impact injuries from vessel movement, cage handling gear and heavy equipment
• Exposure to extreme weather, cold water and heat stress during prolonged operations
• Boat collision risks with other vessels, marine infrastructure or marine life
• Psychological distress or trauma to participants after high-stress encounters or incidents

Included Sections

• 1.0 Purpose, Scope and Application
• 2.0 Definitions and Types of Shark Diving Activities
• 3.0 Roles, Responsibilities and Competency Requirements
• 4.0 Regulatory and Environmental Compliance Obligations
• 5.0 Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Dive Planning
• 6.0 Vessel and Equipment Requirements (Cages, Lines, PPE, Emergency Gear)
• 7.0 Pre-Departure Checks and Safety Briefings
• 8.0 Client Screening, Medical Declarations and Fitness to Dive
• 9.0 Shark Interaction Protocols (Cage and Non-Cage Operations)
• 10.0 Water Entry, Positioning and Exit Procedures
• 11.0 Communication Protocols (Surface, In-Water and Vessel-to-Vessel)
• 12.0 Environmental Conditions, Weather and Go/No-Go Criteria
• 13.0 Emergency Response Procedures (Shark Incident, Man Overboard, Medical Emergency, Lost Diver)
• 14.0 Incident Reporting, Investigation and Corrective Actions
• 15.0 Training, Induction and Competency Verification
• 16.0 Monitoring, Review and Continuous Improvement of the SOP
• 17.0 Recordkeeping Requirements (Logs, Checklists, Permits and Training Records)

Legislation & References

• Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) and relevant state and territory WHS Acts
• Work Health and Safety Regulations 2011 (Cth) and state and territory equivalents
• Safe Work Australia – Managing Risks of Diving Work: Code of Practice
• AS/NZS 2299.1: Occupational diving operations – Standard operational practice
• National Standard for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) – Marine Safety (AMSA requirements)
• Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012
• AS/NZS 1891 series: Industrial fall-arrest systems and devices (for work on decks and access ways)
• AS/NZS 4758: Lifejackets
• Relevant state and territory marine park and wildlife interaction regulations (e.g. shark cage diving permits and conditions)