ISO 24037:2026

International
Standard
ISO 24037
First edition
Ships and marine technology —
2026-06
Requirements and guidance
for training, qualification and
competency of submersible system
crew and other key personnel
Reference number
© ISO 2026
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ii
Contents Page
Foreword .iv
Introduction .v
1 Scope . 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions . 1
4 Training, qualification and certification . 2
5 Key roles. 3
5.1 General .3
5.2 Pilots .4
5.3 Engineering and maintenance manager .4
5.4 Maintenance technician .4
5.5 Passenger safety officer (PSO) .4
5.6 Operations manager .5
5.7 Launch and recovery system supervisor .5
5.8 Launch and recovery system operator .5
5.9 Designated person ashore .5
5.10 Training manager and trainer .6
5.11 Health, safety and environmental protection (HSEP) manager .6
6 System for training management. 6
7 General IMO provisions . 7
8 Competence frameworks . 8
9 CSS operational organization structure . 8
Annex A (informative) CSS competence frameworks . 10
Annex B (informative) Example of CSS organizational structure . 14
Bibliography .15

iii
Foreword
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iv
Introduction
The growing number of crewed submersible systems (CSS) in use around the world are operated by
personnel filling the key roles of piloting, atmosphere control, power management, passenger safety,
submersible system maintenance, operational management and other essential positions. These CSS vary
in complexity, capability and function; however, the common attribute is that they are all relatively small
and designed to be operated independently underwater by a single member or small numbers of crew. Given
the wide variety of design, task and operating circumstances of such crafts, the specific qualifications and
skill training requirements for each submersible will reflect its specific needs. However, the fundamental
principles of these qualification and training requirements are likely to be common and it is the aim of this
document to describe these to provide guidance to submersible operators.
There is some industry guidance available from recognized bodies concerning the operation of CSS,
however there is no industry standard for competency levels that are comparable to other marine sector
professionals such as dynamic positioning operators. Therefore, there is a need to provide an operating
safety benchmark for personnel designated as crew members, maintenance engineers or CSS operational
management, all of whom are required to be adequately trained and qualified to be competent to operate
such systems and to respond to all reasonably foreseeable emergencies. For each system, specific training
should be configured to the submersible’s operational requirements. This will usually be done in-house by
the CSS operators. However, there are fundamental theoretical and practical competency requirements
for personnel engaged or planning to engage in this professional area, which can be reasonably acquired
through training methodologies in specialist marine educational facilities or industry sponsored training
programmes. These programmes should cover the minimum required skill levels, which must be considered
in submersible operator training solutions.
The aim of this document is to provide guidance and requirements on common competence requirements
and qualifications for crewed submersible operations to enable operators to develop their own competence
schemes, thereby enabling an industry-wide commonality.
The objectives of this document are to:
a) provide confidence that all personnel appointed to safety-critical and other key positions can carry out
their jobs in an effective manner;
b) develop a standard that can be used and recognized across the industry to create a competent workforce;
c) outline a baseline competence framework;
d) reduce operating risk and improve safety;
e) support an effective assessment procedure;
f) specify minimum criteria for qualifications;
g) recommend minimum levels of experience required for achievement of competence;
h) develop industry accepted procedures, criteria and recording systems for competence management.

v
International Standard ISO 24037:2026(en)
Ships and marine technology — Requirements and guidance
for training, qualification and competency of submersible
system crew and other key personnel
1 Scope
This document provides requirements and guidance on common competence requirements and
qualifications for crewed submersible operations to enable operators to develop their own competence
schemes. It is applicable to any crewed submersible system (CSS) or craft. Conventional and nuclear powered
naval submarines, and diving bells are not addressed in this document.
2 Normative references
There are no normative references in this document.
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
ISO and IEC maintain terminology databases for use in standardization at the following addresses:
— ISO Online browsing platform: available at https:// www .iso .org/ obp
— IEC Electropedia: available at https:// www .electropedia .org/
3.1
breathing gas supply system
equipment providing breathing gas to the crewed compartment(s) while the submersible is surfaced or
submerged
3.2
launch and recovery system
LARS
system supporting launch, recovery and other handling operations of a submersible
[SOURCE: ISO 5411:2024, 3.8.5, modified — note 1 to entry has been deleted.]
3.3
launch and recovery procedure
procedures by which the submersible is normally launched and recovered using the launch and recovery
equipment
3.4
life support system
equipment and systems required to maintain a crewed submersible system (3.5) in a habitable condition in all
anticipated operating conditions
3.5
crewed submersible system
CSS
vessel and supporting ancillary equipment that is used to carry personnel, passengers (3.6) or both, while
operating underwater, submerging, surfacing and remaining afloat with the internal pressure of the crewed
compartment normally maintained at or near one atmosphere

3.6
passenger
every person other than the pilot (3.8) and crew within a transport submersible, who has no formal role in
the operation of the submersible
3.7
passenger submersible
passenger-carrying submersible, which primarily operates underwater and relies on surface support
[SOURCE: ISO 5411:2024, 3.1.6]
3.8
pilot
person appointed and qualified to command a submersible
[SOURCE: ISO 5411:2024, 3.11.1]
3.9
atmosphere control system
equipment that maintains the habitability of the internal pressure module’s conditions including the onboard
breathing gas supplies, gas mixing and carbon dioxide (CO2) scrubbing systems
3.10
power management control
operation of the vessel power generation, supply and reserve power control system
3.11
scrubbers
equipment used to remove certain molecules from the atmospheres inside submersible vessels, usually
related to the removal by absorption of carbon dioxide (CO2)
3.12
underwater telephone
UWT
device which is designed to establish a real-time audio communication link between a crewed submersible
and a support ship (or other craft) through water
3.13
occupied compartment
compartment inside the submersible’s pressure hull in which people are carried, generally maintained at a
pressure of one atmosphere but possibly not applicable for rescue submersibles
3.14
person under training
any personnel undergoing training to fill a role as a competent operator, who is unqualified in that role
and who therefore cannot be given direct responsibility for the fulfilment of that role until they have been
assessed and declared as competent to do so
3.15
submersible mobilisation vessel
MOSHIP
surface vessel onto which a submersible has been mobilised or embarked and from which it is transported
to a selected operating area and launched and recovered
4 Training, qualification and certification
4.1 While some national authorities have implemented regulatory requirements on the training and
certification for the crew or operational staff for CSS operations, there are no specific internationally
[1]
recognized regulations. MSC/Circular.981 of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Marine Safety
Committee has been used as a benchmark in the absence of more detailed guidance.

4.2 For personnel employed or seeking to be employed in the crewed submersibles industry, the career
pathway is a familiar process common to most marine professional roles. Most people undergo a period of
training gained either through an apprenticeship or on-the-job training with an existing CSS operator, or
specialized training by a commercial or naval training provider, imbuing individuals with relevant necessary
skills and a degree of competency. Ideally, this training is consolidated by testing and examination to enable
an individual to be considered qualified in their role. The process is expected to culminate in a certification
of competence procedure that conveys professional certified status on the individual in their specialization.
[2]
This aligns with IMO Guidelines.
4.3 From this initial level of competency, companies should seek to develop and improve the professional
skill levels of their personnel through a coherent personal development process. This should include
ongoing assessment by line managers and professionally challenging personal objectives being applied
during operational activity. Assessment processes and criteria should be described in company training
management policy. By implementing a career skill development process, CSS companies can facilitate
their employees' progress in achieving this goal through a structured and accredited appraisal process as
part of a company system for training management (STM) (6.1). This is also expected to satisfy the quality,
effectiveness, efficiency and operating safety expectations of national and international regulatory and
industry stakeholders.
4.4 Performance appraisal and competence assessment and verification are the main elements of
the process whereby skills are assessed and personnel can develop their career in a systematic manner.
Training needs are identified and opportunities for future roles are facilitated when an appraisal system
and competence scheme operate in an integrated manner.
4.5 An individual’s competence records are maintained to ensure that training, skill base development,
experience and knowledge acquisition gained by individuals can be used to demonstrate their competence
and be assessed against relevant specialist criteria. CSS operators should adopt a suitable and credible
human resource (HR) management process to record competence for their personnel. These HR management
processes should enable trained personnel to transfer the details of their personal professional record to
other industry domains, national authorities and employers.
NOTE Legal requirements can apply.
4.6 Individual company certification schemes that conform to an industry standard adopted by all
stakeholders have mutual benefit for all by improving the overall ability of the trained cohort within the
industry. Adoption of such schemes can facilitate a more rapid transition for incoming personnel when
required to meet demanding project timelines and can minimize induction and crossover training costs.
4.7 Training received in submersible simulators and other modern training equipment (including virtual
reality training aids) can offer considerable benefits to the training outcome. This is highly dependent on the
quality and accuracy of the simulator and the fidelity of the simulation software programming. Nevertheless,
simulation is widely and successfully used in the aviation industry, among others, and could therefore be
applied to CSS operations.
5 Key roles
5.1 General
There are a number of roles that require personnel to be trained to a specified competence level to ensure
the safe operation of the system. It is often the case that one person fulfils several functions or roles, but
this depends on the complexity, size and nature of the CSS operations. CSS operating companies must make
a judgement on the workforce level required to deliver the training, qualification and assurance appropriate
for their operations.
5.2 Pilots
5.2.1 Normally the submersible’s qualified pilot is the vessel’s Master. If two or more pilots are in the crew,
the lead or senior pilot may be the vessel’s Master. They shall be trained to operate the submersible in all
conditions within the vessel’s designed safe operating envelope (see Table A.1). This includes being able to
use all the equipment and systems in the vessel in its primary and reversionary modes and having a complete
knowledge of standard and emergency operating procedures. Pilots are responsible for the safe operation
of the vehicle including its navigation, propulsion and buoyancy systems and for manoeuvring the vehicle in
the water. This also includes operating the vessel’s communications e.g. underwater telephone (UWT) and
any vessel-fitted launch and recovery systems. Pilots are required to achieve an agreed level of competency
before being certified to operate the submersible as a qualified pilot. Until this has been achieved, they are
considered to be a person under training.
5.2.2 The second pilot on a larger CSS is also known as the co-pilot and is not required to be fully qualified.
They shall be qualified in the co-pilot or "Pilot 2" role. The requirements of this role are dependent on the
type of the submersible and its specific operating procedures, as determined by the CSS company.
5.2.3 The pilot or pilots manage the vessel’s power systems. They shall be able to operate the power
management control system in all its modes of operation including the emergency fallback options. They shall
be capable of fault finding and, where feasible, have an appropriate ability to carry out repairs to maintain
the submersible’s power supply requirements while it is operating in the water. They shall understand how
to manage and operate the onboard power supplies including the engagement of the reserve and emergency
power supply options.
5.2.4 Pilots may be responsible for operating the atmosphere control system in all its modes of operation
including the emergency fallback options. They shall be capable of an adequate level of fault finding and
have an appropriate ability to effect repairs to maintain the submersible’s atmosphere during its in-water
operation. They shall understand how to manage and operate the onboard breathing gas supply system, any
gas mixing requirements and CO scrubbers, absorption or removal systems.
5.3 Engineering and maintenance manager
All CSS require some form of planned maintenance management. It is necessary for the system’s engineering
needs to be factored into the operating programme or schedule. To ensure that these requirements are
adequately met, an individual should be assigned to manage all engineering aspects of the submersible
operation. The assigned individual should have the necessary qualified technical ability and managerial
experience to fulfil this role, i.e. training in the specific submersible vessel's technical specifications and the
CSS operator’s maintenance system (see Table A.2). The assigned individuals shall be capable of managing
the work of technical engineers subordinate to them and allocating maintenance tasks accordingly and in
compliance with the vessel manufacturer’s specifications. They hold overall responsibility for ensuring that
the CSS are kept in a state that ensures the submersible’s “safe to operate” status. This role can be fulfilled
by any suitably qualified member of the crew, including the pilot.
5.4 Maintenance technician
All maintenance and engineering needs of the submersible shall be carried out by a suitably qualified and
experienced engineering technician(s). They shall be capable of carrying out all maintenance tasks and
of completing the engineering tasks specified in their areas of responsibility. They shall be responsible
for ensuring that the equipment and systems they are maintaining are kept in a state that ensures the
submersible is safe to operate. They shall be provided with the training necessary to ensure that they have
sufficient technical knowledge of the specific vessel or vessels for which they are responsible, to enable them
to carry out their tasks safely and effectively.
5.5 Passenger safety officer (PSO)
The safety of passengers and the crew in a submersible should be the highest priority for any CSS operator.
While the safety of passengers falls directly under the overall responsibility of the vessel’s Master, a member

of the crew shall be assigned to be continuously responsible for the safety and well-being of passengers in
the occupied compartment of the submersible, where appropriate. This enables the Master/pilot to focus on
their primary task of the safe and effective operation of the submersible. For rescue submersibles, this role is
described as a rescue chamber operator (RCO) and include being responsible for doing this in a normobaric
or hyperbaric environment. The PSO or RCO shall know the standard and emergency operating procedures
...