Tipping

[NancyLynn]

t
now, how does teh above affect a DM? if he is diving for free fills and boat trip does he get taxed on that?

The references I found on a quick look is that "tipped employees" fall into the exception to the minimum wage. At least in theory, this includes divemasters. I could probably find a more specific answer by looking at the regs - but it's late and I have a lot to do yet tonight to get ready to travel to my jump off point for Cozumel right after work tomorrow.

In the US, the divemaster should be reporting and being taxed on whatever s/he receives as payment (or barter) for services. That would probably include recreational free fills, but not fills which are necessary to to the job. Tips are required to be reported.

As to whether any divemasters actually report any of this - my guess is virtually none of them do. When I worked as a tax preparer when my daughter was little I don't recall a single tipped employee reporting anything above what the employer reported on their wage statement - or below (which they are permitted to do if they have records to back it up).

 

[DennisS]

Oh, I can assure you that if you come diving here in NJ I will be able to assemble a line of Boat Captains, DMs, and Deck Hands a mile long, everyone of whom will be willing to help you into the water for free. Of course the boat might be doing 20kts on the way back to the dock at the time...

Wow, you guys are really into this tipping. Tip or get tipped over the side. Who owns the boat, the Sopranos

 

[wardric]

do we need to tip cows too???

 

[Kamchatka]

This brings to mind another thought about my (sometimes lack of) tipping. I don't tip the kid who delivers newspapers every morning at 6AM in my neighborhood. No tips, no Christmas "envelope", nada. Of course, I don't subscribe to the newspaper but you do see the position it places me in.

 

[Kamchatka]

Aloha all you bitter cheapskates,
As a captain I could just head straight toward the site full throttle with gear bouncing and spray flying and any diver should be aware of sea conditions, or I could skillfully pilot the vessel in a safe and comfortable way to make the surface journey as enjoyable as possible.
If you can't afford the tip, don't do the trip!

I'll dive with you, cap! And if you don't pilot the vessel in a safe way, and I get damaged due to your reckless operation, I promise to operate your former business in a professional manner, after the lawsuit.
I can afford the tip. But, as a rich guy said to me many years ago, "Even rich people don't like to get ripped off."

 

[francousteau]

Wow, you guys are really into this tipping. Tip or get tipped over the side. Who owns the boat, the Sopranos

Well, the boat that RJP is pimping is actually a very good boat and one of the only ones that actually cruises at 20knots. Not only fast, but the service is generally excellent and if it's not, the Capt. will be the first to crack the whip. Not all the boats are this good, but most are way above decent.

$60 or $80 in Aussieland? Here, it just is bumping up to $90 - $95 (from $85 last year). Add to that my $32 for 2 sets of twins w/28%, $20 for my deco bottle, $20 in gas to get to the boat, $4 for tolls (not trolls). Again, this particular boat provides lunch and water/soda's. C'mon what's a couple bucks tip?

 

[oly5050user]

To the people who do not tip,thats their choice.I do know that they will be the last people I call when there is an opening on my boat.
This is a SERVICE industry.Its not like the person working on the boat/teaching a class/dive site is making big money.Waiters and waitresses /taxi drivers/barbers/etc do not make big money either,they are a SERVICE industry.The reason is not included in price is to keep costs low and to afford the consumer the choice to reward good service directly.The dm /instr has alot more responsibility than the person who brings you a meal to your table.Most people leave a tip for a meal at a restaurant,why not a good day on a boat?
Alot in the background that a customer never sees goes on to ensure the day goes smoothly.
Cleaning the boat/ice-refreshments in the cooler/safety equip on board and in working order/assisting in and out of water in a safe manner.Helping load and unload your gear onto boat.
Never mind the quick repairs,loan of equipment that is done when a customer has a problem.
How about the ability of crew to assist a person in trouble..I pulled a diver out of the water on a boat I crewed on years ago on LI Sound,they went to an area that during the predive briefing they were informed not to go because of a current that may be present,well they showed up on the surface yelling that they could not make it back.I swam out there,one diver was ok and went back to boat ,the other was going nowhere.I tell him to drop his belt,he did not do it,so I did it.Towed him back to boat(still can't understand why he couldn't do it himself if I can get the 2 of us moving under my own power)made sure he was ok.Then I slipped on a tank,went out to where I dropped his belt,recovered it , and returned it to him-did I have to? No I did not have to..Think that deserves a tip?
The knucklehead gave squat.OH and he made sure he had a couple of beers that came out of my pocket to supply on the boat.
Never invited him on the boat again.Give the people working for your fun day a sign of appreciation.Can be anything from a thankyou and a beer to what amount you feel is right.

 

[VooDooGasMan]

If you don't like to tip you probably only do 1 dive day per dive operation. when a diver Won't tip I simply say your a cheap %#^$, and continue to antaganize them till they are fearing for there life, Of course in a way the captain and divemaster have no Idea whats going on.

I,ve had couples refuse to get on the boat, and dive with me because of it. When the other divers want to Know why they wont dive on the same boat, I say who Knows, who cares more room right. The whole dive day is jokes about the cheapa$$ divers.

Bottom line quietly cut them down and they go away.

 

[Kamchatka]

If you don't like to tip you probably only do 1 dive day per dive operation. when a diver Won't tip I simply say your a cheap %#^$, and continue to antaganize them till they are fearing for there life, Of course in a way the captain and divemaster have no Idea whats going on.

I,ve had couples refuse to get on the boat, and dive with me because of it. When the other divers want to Know why they wont dive on the same boat, I say who Knows, who cares more room right. The whole dive day is jokes about the cheapa$$ divers.

Bottom line quietly cut them down and they go away.

Anyone can tell from reading your post that you're a highly educated and innovative diver. But how do you know who does and doesn't tip? Do you monitor the others? Or maybe get the crew to tell you? Sounds like the boat owner is losing money because of your campaign.

 

[PvtStash]

Anyone can tell from reading your post that you're a highly educated and innovative diver. But how do you know who does and doesn't tip? Do you monitor the others? Or maybe get the crew to tell you? Sounds like the boat owner is losing money because of your campaign.

Maybe this is how DMs/Boatcrews "fight back against the man" ... cost their employer's business since their not being paid a sufficient wage. I would Definately fire any employee that would insult/drive away business like this.