Preamble
As diving and its related activities are potentially hazardous, it is essential that persons engaged in these activities observe a strict code of conduct.
Such a code is emphatically laid down by the British Sub-Aqua Club (BS-AC). Therefore the constitution of this Club, in particular those sections relating to discipline and authority, reflect the strict regulations imposed by the National Club on a Branch of the BS-AC.
Consequently, sections of this constitution may appear rather inflexible, however, they are essential.
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Constitution of The Dublin University Sub-Aqua Club (D.U.S.A.C.) (founded 1969) as accepted (with amendment) at the E.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on 9th December 1977.
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 10th May 1978
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 1st May 1980
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 10th May 1988
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 10th April 1990
as amended at the E.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 6th November 1993
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 13th May 1994
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 7th May 1998
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 4th May 1999
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 6th May 2000
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 4th May 2001
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 4th May 2002
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 24th April 2003
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 24th April 2010
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 27th April 2012
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 11th April 2014
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 22nd April 2016
as amended at the A.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 13th April 2018
as amended at the E.G.M. of D.U.S.A.C. on the 15th March 2019
as amended at the A.G.M of D.U.S.A.C. on the 24th April 2020
as amended at the E.G.M of D.U.S.A.C on the 6th December 2021
as amended at the A.G.M of D.U.S.A.C. on the 8th April 2022 as amended at the E.G.M of D.U.S.A.C. on the 31st March 2023
Article I – Name
The Club shall be called the Dublin University Sub-Aqua Club (hereafter referred to as the Club).
Article II – Objects
The aim of the Club shall be to:
II (a) – promote the pursuit of underwater exploration, science and sport among members of the College.
II (b) – promote safety in these activities.
II (c) – administer, implement and accept all diving regulations as laid down by the ruling body:- the British Sub-Aqua Club (B.S.A.C.).
II (d) – train and certify divers to internationally recognised standards as laid down by the ruling body.
II (e) – participate in and support relevant activities.
Article III – Club membership
Membership shall be open to all students, graduates and staff of Trinity College Dublin on receipt of the Club subscription by the Membership Secretary.
Article IV – Subscription
Membership subscriptions for the following session shall be set by the Club at the Annual General Meeting.
Article V – Affiliation
The Club shall be a branch of the B.S.A.C.
Article VI – Management
The activities of the Club shall be governed by an executive committee. The committee shall be composed of club members appointed or elected in accordance with Article VII and holding the following honorary positions:
1. Diving Officer
2. Chairman (and Captain)
3. Training Officer
4. Secretary
5. Treasurer
6. Equipment Officer
7. Boat Officer
8. Membership Secretary
9. Assistant to the Equipment Officers
10. Public Relations Officer
11. Entertainments Officer
12. Welfare Officer
13. Ordinary Committee Member
Article VII – Appointment of the Executive Committee
VII 1.
The executive committee shall be chosen annually in accordance with the procedures laid down in B.S.A.C. Rules and B.S.A.C. Diving Officers Handbook
VII 2.i – Diving Officer
The Diving Officer shall be appointed annually by the outgoing committee as being the person most suitable for that, position (c/f. Art. VIII, I.I). They must hold a ‘B.S.A.C. Advanced / 2nd Class Diver’ qualification or higher.
VII 2.ii – Chairperson (and Captain)
The chairperson shall be elected at an A.G.M. by the club members. They must be a minimum of Sports Diver and be a member of the Club.
VII 2.iii – Training Officer
The Training Officer shall be appointed annually by the current Diving Officer. They must hold a ‘B.S.A.C. Dive Leader’ qualification or higher.
VII 2.iv – Secretary
The secretary shall be elected annually at the A.G.M. by the Club Members. They must be a member of the Club.
VII 2.v – Treasurer
The treasurer shall be elected annually at the A.G.M. by the Club Members. They must be a member of the Club.
VII 2.vi – Assistant to the Equipment Officers
The Assistant to the Equipment Officers shall be elected at an A.G.M. by the club members. They must be a member of the Club.
VII 2.vii – Membership Secretary
The Membership Secretary of the committee shall be elected at an A.G.M. by the club members. They must be a member of the Club.
VII 2.viii – Equipment Officer
The Club Equipment Officer shall be appointed by the incoming Branch Officers at each A.G.M.
VII 2.ix – Boat Officer
The Club Boat Officer shall be appointed by the incoming Branch Officers at each A.G.M.
VII 2.x – Public Relations Officer
The public relations officer shall be elected at an AGM by the club members. They must be a member of the club.
VII 2.xi – Entertainments Officer
The entertainments officer shall be elected annually at the A.G.M. by the Club Members. They must be a member of the Club.
VII 2.xii – Welfare Officer
The Welfare officer shall be elected annually at the A G.M by the Club Members. They must be a member of the club.
VII 2.xiii – Ordinary Committee Member
The Ordinary Committee Member shall be elected annually at the A.G.M. by the Club Members. They must be a member of the club.
VII 3. – Appointment of a replacement Diving Officer
If the Diving Officer is dismissed from his duties, or resigns from their position before the end of their term, it shall be the responsibility of the President to appoint a new Diving Officer.
The Diving Officer appointed by the president must hold a ‘B.S.A.C. Advanced Diver’ qualification.
Article VIII – Responsibility of the Executive Committee
VIII 1. – Officers
VIII 1. i Diving Officer
It shall be the responsibility of the Diving Officer to:
VIII 1. i. a) take full responsibility for all club diving and training activities and all other activities involving club equipment.
VIII 1. i. b) organise open water diving activities.
VIII 1. i. c) ensure a high standard of safety and proficiency is continually maintained.
VIII 1. i. d) submit a report at each A.G.M.
VIII 1. i. e) appoint a Training Officer in accordance with Article VII.
VIII 1. i. f) be responsible for the organisation of the Club’s training trips.
VIII 1. i. g) sign off on all diving grades achieved within the branch.
VIII 1. ii Chairperson
VIII 1. ii. a) shall represent the Club as Captain.
VIII 1. ii. b) shall chair all committee meetings.
VIII 1. ii. c) shall be responsible for the running of the Club, with the Diving Officer having final authority over activities detailed in Article VIII 1. a.
VIII 1. ii. d) shall be jointly responsible together with the treasurer for the Club’s financial affairs.
VIII 1. iii Training Officer
It shall be the responsibility of the Training Officer to:
VIII 1. iii a) supervise all training ‘wet and dry’ within the Club.
VIII 1. iii b) ensure a uniform system and standard of training within the Club.
VIII 1. iii c) organise and supervise a proper scheme of training both ‘wet and dry’ within the Club.
VIII 1. iii d) organise the testing and grading the members of the Club.
VIII 1. iii e) submit a report at each A.G.M.
VIII 1. iv Equipment Officer
It shall be the responsibility of the Equipment Officer to:
VIII 1. iv a) ensure that all Club equipment is maintained in good order.
VIII 1. iv b) ensure provision of Club equipment for both pool training and open water diving.
VIII 1. iv c) submit a report at each A.G.M.
VIII 1. v Boat Officer
It shall be the responsibility of the Boat Officer to:
VIII 1. v a) ensure the maintenance and servicing of the club boats and all equipment involved with the club boats
VIII 1. v b) ensure the maintenance and servicing of both club portable compressors and responsible for all equipment involved with the club portable compressors
VIII 1. v c) work in conjunction with the Equipment Officer and will report to the Equipment Officer
VIII 1. vi Secretary
It shall be the responsibility of the Secretary to:
VIII 1. vi a) arrange an agenda for the A.G.M. and any E.G.M.’s that may take place.
VIII 1. vi b) maintain this constitution and publish it to the Club website.
VIII 1. vi c) keep minutes of executive committee meetings, the AGM and any EGMs for Club records.
VIII 1. vii Treasurer
It shall be the responsibility of the Treasurer to:
VIII 1. vii a) ensure that concise accounts of the Club’s financial affairs are kept.
VIII 1. vii b) be jointly responsible with the Chairman for all Club finances.
VIII 1. vii c) be responsible for all financial transactions with Dublin University Central Athletics Committee (D.U.C.A.C.)
VIII 1. vii d) submit an annual report at the A.G.M.
VIII 1. viii Membership Secretary
It shall be the responsibility of the Membership Secretary to:
VIII 1. viii a) collect and forward all membership fees to D.U.C.A.C. and to the BS-AC as appropriate.
VIII 1. ix Public Relations Officer
It shall be the responsibility of the Public Relations Officer to: VIII 1. ix a) gather and promote information about the club and its activities on social media. VIII 1. ix b) respond to requests originating from the social media platforms.
VIII 1. ix c) ensure all information on the website is accessible and accurate.
VIII 1. ix d) make any changes to the website deemed necessary by the executive committee.
VIII 1. ix e) administer the Club e-mail list.
VIII 1. x Entertainments Officer
It shall be the responsibility of the Entertainments Officer to:
VIII 1. x a) arrange social events on behalf of the club
VIII 1. xi Assistant to the Equipment Officers
It shall be the responsibility of the Assistant to the Equipment Officers to:
VIII 1. xi a) assist the Equipment Officer and Boat Officer in the performance of their duties.
VIII 1. xii Welfare Officer
It shall be the responsibility of the Welfare Officer to:
VIII 1. xii a) Assist the committee to ensure BSAC and TCD policies and procedures on Equality, diversity and inclusion are in place and up to date
VIII 1. xii b) Ensure DUSAC is accessible to all club members
VIII 1. xii c) Submit a report at each A.G.M
VIII 1. xii d) Liaise with Trinity Sport and DUCAC on accessibility/inclusion-based initiatives
VII 1. xiii Ordinary committee Member
It shall be the responsibility of the Ordinary committee member to:
VIII 1. xii a) Assist the Chair, Treasurer, Secretary, Membership secretary and Entertainments officer in their duties
VIII 2. – Executive Committee
VIII 2. i
The committee shall work together to ensure efficient management of the club at all times.
VIII 2. ii
The committee shall meet formally at least once a term.
VIII 2. iii
The committee shall appoint a Diving Officer for the following year before the expiry of their term of office and in accordance with Article VII.
VIII 2. iv
The committee shall appoint an Honorary President for the following year before the expiry of their term of office.
VIII 2. v
The committee shall have it in their power to:
VIII 2. v. a) – appoint sub-committees (eg. social, fund-raising, expedition sub-committees etc.) as necessary. Such sub-committees shall contain at least one executive member.
VIII 2. v. b) – appoint Club members to assist executive officers in their duties (eg. records officer, information officer, pool steward, etc.).
VIII 2. v. c) – co-opt Club members to executive committee posts to fill casual vacancies in accordance with Article VII.
Article IX – Authority of the Diving Officer
The authority vested in the Diving Officer shall be that which is laid down in the B.S.A.C. rules and B.S.A.C. Diving Officer’s Handbook.
As the ultimate responsibility for the well-being and safety of the Club and its members rests with the Diving Officer they shall hold complete authority over the Club’s diving and training activities, and all other activities involving club equipment.
In particular they must give their formal approval for all diving activities before they may take place. They, therefore, have the authority to veto any practice (s) which they considered unsafe or detrimental to the standards or good reputation of the Club. They shall ban or restrict for a period or indefinitely any person whom the Executive Committee considers to be unfit for diving activities. In the event of a permanent ban being imposed on any members, they shall submit a written report to the relevant bodies (BS-AC and D.U.C.A.C.) justifying their actions.
Article X – General Meetings
X 1. – Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.)
X 1. i
An A.G.M. shall take place between March 17th and May 1st.
X 1. ii
A period of not less than 90 minutes shall be made available for the A.G.M.
X 1. iii
The Secretary shall give a minimum of 14 days prior notice of the A.G.M. to members.
X 1. iv
The election of the executive committee of a Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Ordinary Member, Public Relation Officer, Assistant Equipment Officer and Entertainment Officer for the current session shall take place at the A.G.M.
X 1. v
Candidates for election to these posts must be members of the Club at the time of the A.G.M.
X 1. vi
Candidates for election must give their names, together with those of a proposer and a seconder (who must also be current members of the Club).
X 1. vii
Amendments to this constitution proposed and seconded in writing to the Secretary at least 10 days in advance of the A.G.M. may be considered at the A.G.M. by the members of the Club.
At least 1 week’s notice in writing must be given, together with the names of a proposer and seconder, who must be members of the Club, to the Secretary of all other motions for consideration at the A.G.M.
X 1. viii
A quorum for the A.G.M. shall consist of:
X 1. viii. a) The outgoing Diving Officer
X 1. viii. b) The outgoing Chairman
X 1. viii. c) The outgoing Training Officer
X 1. viii. d) The outgoing Secretary
X 1. viii. e) The outgoing Treasurer
X 1. viii. f) Ten other members of the Club
X 1. ix
All members shall be entitled to vote at an A.G.M.
X 1. x
Election for the positions of Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary, Ordinary Member, Public Relations Officer, Assistant Equipment Officer and Entertainment Officer shall be by secret ballot, single non-transferable vote and a simple majority shall suffice.
X 1. xi
A majority of two thirds on a simple show of hands shall be necessary to:
X 1. xi. a) amend this Constitution X 1. xi. b) formulate club policy
X 2. – Extraordinary General meetings (E.G.M.)
X 2. i
An E.G.M. of the Club may be called by the Executive Committee:
X 2. i. a) at their own request
X 2. i. b) on receipt of a demand in writing, signed by one quarter membership of the club for such a meeting
X 2. ii
An E.G.M. shall be called to consider:
X 2. ii. a) proposed amendments to this constitution
X 2. ii. b) Club policy matters which the Executive committee feel require a decision of all the Club’s members
X 2. iii
Rules governing procedure, proposal of motions, quorum and voting at an E.G.M. shall be the same as for an A.G.M.
Article XI – Safety Annexe
XI 1. – Diving Safety
XI 1. i
The BSAC depth limit of 50 metres is the depth limit for members of the club, except where special requirements are met (c/f Art XI iv). This limit applies to divers of Dive Leader level and above.
XI 1. ii
In accordance with the BSAC recommended limit for Sports divers a 35 metre limit will be recognised. This limit applies to Sports divers diving with other Sports divers, and also to Sports divers diving with Dive Leaders and other more highly qualified divers.
XI 1. iii
Ocean Divers, Club Divers and people training for their Ocean Diver grade are restricted to a maximum depth of 20 metres.
XI 1. iv
Dives to depths greater than 50 metres can only be attempted by Advanced and First Class Divers and then only once a written dive plan has been approved by the Diving Officer.
XI 1. v
Diving in uneven numbers is not to be undertaken by members on Club dives unless the D.O. or the Marshall appointed by the D.O. for the dive concerned has given approval.
XI 2. – Boating Safety
XI 2. i
All diving activities involving club boats require the presence of a D.U.S.A.C. registered boat handler.
XI 2. ii
At sea there must at all times be a D.U.S.A.C. registered boat handler on board plus, where possible, at least one other person.
XI 2. iii
Club members holding recognised boating qualifications can at the discretion of the Diving Officer be listed on the club register. In addition, individuals deemed fully competent can, upon request, be considered by the Diving Officer as D.U.S.A.C. registered boat handlers.
XI 3. – Nitrox Safety
XI 3. i
All D.U.S.A.C. members blending nitrox and/or diving with nitrox must have the appropriate qualification.
XI 3. ii
Nitrox mixes must be analysed and signed for by both the blender and the user in the nitrox log book after filling.
XI 3. iii
Nitrox mixes must also be analysed on site in the presence of the Dive Marshall and buddy to ensure correct maximum operating depth (MOD) is displayed.
XI 4. – Rebreather Diving
XI 4. i
All DUSAC members diving with rebreathers must hold the appropriate qualifications
XI 4. ii
All rebreather dives must be carried out in accordance with the latest version of the BSAC publication “Safe Diving Practices”
XI 4. iii
Adequate open-circuit redundancy must be carried by all rebreather divers appropriate to the planned dive. The adequacy of this redundancy must be agreed to by the Diving Officer or dive marshal.
XI 4. iv
In addition to the guidelines set out in BSAC Safe Diving Practices, the use of rebreathers when diving with ocean divers or during open water assessments shall be at the discretion of the Diving Officer.
Article XII – Wellness/ Inclusivity
XII 1. i
Replace all remaining gendered pronouns in the club constitution with gender neutral ones.
DUSAC 