Diving and Boating

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OIST Diving Programs

A strong safety culture at OIST starts with the right team and is reinforced by the right system. Together, we will create an environment where divers are not just following procedures but are truly committed to safety-doing the right thing even when no one is watching.

The OIST Diving Programs and the Marine Science Section (MSS) provide integrated support for safe, well‑regulated, and efficient marine field operations at OIST. Services include scientific diving oversight, fieldwork support, boating coordination, and administrative assistance for research activities in Okinawa.

A researcher collecting specimens from the coral reef in Nikko Bay

OIST Scientific Diving & Skin Diving Programs

OIST maintains a comprehensive diving program aligned with AAUS, NAUI, and Japanese regulations.
 

Key features:

  • Safe, well‑regulated scientific diving and skin diving operations for faculty, staff, and students
  • Support for research across marine science, physiology, engineering, human performance, and extreme‑environment studies
  • Rigorous training, risk management, and environmental stewardship for diverse scientific applications
  • Oversight by the Diving Control Board (DCB), which autonomously manages policies, training, certifications, and operational safety
  • Requirements for visiting researchers: Letter of Reciprocity and a check‑out dive under the DSO’s discretion

Useful links

Bringing Your Research to OIST

OIST welcomes collaborative researchers, institutions, and trainers.
Facilities include:

  • AAUS Diving Program
  • Steel scuba cylinders and compressor system (from Spring 2026)
  • Wet and dry laboratory spaces

Fieldwork Support

The Marine Science Section (MSS) provides both direct fieldwork support and administrative support for marine research at OIST.

Direct fieldwork

MSS’s marine fieldwork specialists can accompany researchers in the field as a guide, dive buddy, and/or the responsible OIST staff member on-site. Supported fieldwork include:

  • Scuba diving
    This includes sample collection (e.g. corals, invertebrates, fish, water, sediment) , photography or videography, and deployment/retrieval of research. As diving is a specialized skill, these requests are prioritized over other fieldwork requests where a substitute participant can be more easily arranged.

  • Snorkeling
    Similar to diving activities but, where the use of scuba equipment is not necessary or desirable.

  • Reef-walking/coastal work
    Involves activities such as tidepool surveys/sampling, plankton net deployment, water sampling, and other shore based research.

  • Boating
    MSS can participate on boat based research as crew or responsible OIST staff member, diving support, sampling, or kayaking. However, it should be noted that due lower level of specialization for tasks, and the higher time demands, boating support is considered lower priority and will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

  • Basic collections and photography/videography on researcher’s behalf
    For researchers unable to dive or participate in fieldwork, MSS can take requests for basic collection, sampling, or photography/videography. These requests are considered on a case-by-case basis.

The MSS fieldwork support is primarily offered within Okinawa. Fieldwork requests for support outside of Okinawa, will be considered on a strict case-by-case basis.

 

Administrative support

The MSS can also assist with administrative support related to fieldwork:

  • Preparing and submitting permit applications (e.g., special sampling, port/Coast Guard access)
  • Securing agreements with local fishing co-ops.
  • Arranging boats for fieldwork
  • Advice on shipping samples and equipment.

Documents