In the perspective of ensuring safety, WorkCover Queensland emphasizes the importance of head counts to prevent incidents where divers and snorkellers are inadvertently left behind by vessels. Vessel operators, responsible for transporting individuals to diving or snorkelling sites, must guarantee the accurate accounting of all persons on board before departing each site.

Key measures to be taken include conducting thorough head counts before departing to the site, involving the independent counting of each person by different crew members, creating a written record of the count, and verifying the count through signatures. Any changes to the number of persons on board during the trip must also be diligently counted, verified, and a new total recorded.

Additionally, before each vessel departure from the site, the same rigorous head counting process should be followed, with a comparison to the previous count to ensure agreement. Utilizing active counts, such as roll calls or signature sheets involving the individuals being counted, is recommended for increased reliability. Passive counts, like a simple head count, are prone to failure if not diligently executed by the crew. Employing various counting methods serves as a cross-check to enhance accuracy.

To facilitate communication and understanding, it is essential to explain the counting procedures in advance, offering advice in other languages if necessary. Crew members involved in the counting process should be adequately trained and supervised to ensure diligent execution. In the unfortunate event of a missing person, the established missing person emergency plan should be promptly implemented.