Liveaboards vs day trip boats safety differences

Please register or login

Welcome to ScubaBoard, the world's largest scuba diving community. Registration is not required to read the forums, but we encourage you to join. Joining has its benefits and enables you to participate in the discussions.

Benefits of registering include

  • Ability to post and comment on topics and discussions.
  • A Free photo gallery to share your dive photos with the world.
  • You can make this box go away

Joining is quick and easy. Log in or Register now!

Soubds like this thread can be summed up as "LOB diving has all the dangers of other types of diving, plus special hazards associated with being on a vessel at sea".
 
Soubds like this thread can be summed up as "LOB diving has all the dangers of other types of diving, plus special hazards associated with being on a vessel at sea".
Let me fix that for you

"LOB diving has all the dangers of other types of diving, plus special hazards associated with being on a vessel at sea that as a category has a much higher rates of deaths per accident than other vessels at sea".
 
Realistically nobody is going to walk off their liveaboard after all the money spent on the trip, even if it looks sub standard. However, there are some things you can do by taking personal responsibility. If the safety briefing is useless or non existent scope out the boat yourself. Check where the liferafts are and how they're deployed. Look around for lifejackets, life rings etc. and ask the crew if you can't spot any. Check, weather, wind, currents, where you are in relation to the nearest land. If your cabin is a death trap sleep on deck or in the lounge (I've done this a few times). Finally , you bring loads of divegear with you, nothing is stopping you bringing your own lifejacket. Believe me it'll be better then anything offered on 90% of liveaboards.
 
You really should not end up on a liveaboard that is significantly substandard if you did your research ahead of time. Once on board, pay attention to the briefing, if there are aspects missing, ask. If you are below deck, make sure you know about the primary exit and are familiar with the emergency exit. Personally, I try out the emergency exit with the crew's consent. Pack a good ditch dry bag with important items, passport, if you have possession of it, wallet, cell phone, scuba light with SOS, water, some compact food. A personal locator beacon would be good if it is not with your scuba gear.
 
I want to try my first liveaboard trip this year. Now I'm a bit worried......
 
Another liveaboard fire incident:

 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/perdix-ai/

Back
Top Bottom