NHM Equips Emergency Response Team with Open Water Dive Certification to Boost Maritime Preparedness
The Emergency Response Team (ERT) of PT Nusa Halmahera Minerals (NHM) has successfully completed a seven-day professional diving competency certification programme. This initiative demonstrates the company’s commitment to enhancing emergency preparedness in aquatic environments.
The intensive activities were conducted at several strategic locations, beginning with a theory session at the ERT Station in Gosowong on 26 June 2026. Practical field sessions followed at Barnabas Port on 27 June, Bobale Island on 28 June, and Pawole Island in Tobelo, North Halmahera, from 29 June to 1 July. The training was attended by five participants, comprising four ERT personnel and one representative from the Government Relation and Permitting department. The programme featured an instructor from the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) Asia Pacific, Tommy Chandra, an Open Water Scuba Instructor, to ensure the material met international standards.
Deputy Director of Operation, Rara Dodo Lawolo, stated that this represents the company’s commitment to strengthening the ERT’s capabilities to face more complex technical challenges in water environments. With this professional licence, personnel are expected to have adequate qualifications to support safe and effective underwater rescue operations. “This achievement is a significant milestone for NHM, as it is the first time our team has officially obtained open water diving certification. The training is highly relevant to NHM’s operational characteristics, which cover extensive water areas such as port facilities and polishing ponds. Although we hope emergency situations do not occur, our team is ready if needed,” he said.
Beyond meeting the company’s internal needs, Rado added that this competency is also projected as a form of contribution to support humanitarian missions for the community or government in the future if required. At the end of the activity, instructor Tommy Chandra provided an in-depth evaluation, noting that mastering the basic foundations at the open water level and achieving comfort underwater are far more crucial than merely pursuing the next certification level. He emphasised that it is very important for beginner divers to accumulate more dive hours to become more familiar with the marine environment and the equipment used.
“I strongly recommend participants own personal equipment to ensure maximum consistency and comfort. Differences in specifications for each device can affect a diver’s calmness; with their own gear, they will be more familiar with technical positions like inflate and deflate, allowing them to focus more on rescue operations,” said Tommy. He added that safety remains the top priority, and using a dive computer is a mandatory standard for monitoring depth and no-decompression limits to avoid fatal medical risks.
Gugus Agam Satria, representing the Govrel and Permitting department and a training participant, stated that the training had a real impact on the divers. “This training makes divers calmer, more aware of risks, and more confident when conducting underwater activities,” said Agam. ERT Captain Muhammad Ifan added that the training is crucial for his team. “This diving training and certification provides invaluable experience for us as ERT members. Besides improving technical diving skills, we also gained a deeper understanding of safe, effective, and standardised open water rescue procedures and techniques. The competencies we acquired will be essential assets in supporting preparedness and handling emergency situations, particularly in rescue operations within the company’s aquatic environments,” said Ifan. With personnel now holding professional qualifications, NHM continues to advance in strengthening its emergency management system to protect all employees and ensure safer company operations.