The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) hosted a National Sport Diving Conference, the first of its kind, at Bath University on the 22nd/23rd October 2001. The aims of the Conference were to identify areas of concern involving diver safety based on incident statistics and determine how best to adopt a proactive approach in reducing dive related incidents.

Those attending included delegates with organisational influence within UK sport diving or diving incident management. There was representation from the MCA, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Police, British Sub Aqua Club (BSAC), Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), Sub-Aqua Association (SAA), Hyperbaric Association, Professional Boatman's Association (PBA) and National Federation of Charter Skippers (NFCS).

Speakers from the various organisations presented observations on current diving trends, safety, new technologies, equipment, and procedures. Delegates considered the major issues impacting safety within sport diving and there was open discussion and debate of each presentation. A workshop then focused upon the various concerns in relation to safety within the sport and identified management strategies and development of a co-ordinated framework by which to apply them.

Jo Dilly, the MCA's National Diving Liaison Officer said, "The Conference enabled those present to pool their knowledge and exchange ideas. It also provided the incentive for a proactive approach to future initiatives aimed at promoting safer diving."