If SCUBA dives are conducted from a large ship, what additional safety measure is required?

When SCUBA diving from a large ship, having a small safety boat available for rescue is essential in enhancing diver safety. The primary reason for this is that, while large ships provide a stable platform for divers to enter and exit the water, they can also have challenges such as limited maneuverability and the potential danger posed by large vessels moving in the vicinity. The presence of a small safety boat allows for immediate response in case of emergencies, such as a diver experiencing distress, needing assistance due to equipment failure, or facing adverse environmental conditions.

The safety boat serves several critical functions, including providing a platform for rescue operations, offering a quick way to transport a diver back on board or to shore, and assisting with dive logistics, such as positioning for a dive site or managing surface support. This added layer of safety is crucial, especially when divers are at significant depths or are far from the ship, where help would be more challenging to provide rapidly.

Other options, while they might be beneficial in specific scenarios, do not directly address the immediate safety needs of divers operating from a large vessel. Thus, having a small safety boat for rescue is a pivotal safety measure to ensure that divers can be rapidly assisted in case of emergencies, making it the most appropriate choice in