Diving operations within the nuclear power sector present unique challenges along with stringent regulatory requirements. While most scopes of work may be performed under standard commercial practices, executing safety-related inspections and repairs on systems essential for the safe shutdown of a nuclear facility mandates compliance with an NRC-approved 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B Quality Assurance (QA) Program.

This presentation outlines the process, best practices, and lessons learned from developing and implementing a robust 10 CFR Part 50 Appendix B-compliant NQA program tailored for commercial diving services. I will discuss the strategic rationale for adopting this rigorous framework and describe the comprehensive development lifecycle of the program.

A key focus will be review of a successful licensee audit experience, conducted in alignment with the Nuclear Procurement Issues Corporation (NUPIC) Audit Checklist, while offering practical insights into navigating the approval process and meeting audit expectations.

Additionally, a specific case study in radiological diving will be examined. This case study focuses on the maintenance of critical fuel transfer system components, highlighting the unique operational and radiological hazards inherent to nuclear environments.

The aim of this presentation is to provide actionable guidance for diving contractors, licensees, and QA professionals seeking to understand and implement compliant nuclear diving operations.