I have had a situation not to long ago where my wife and I were on a dive trip and we hired a guide for the first day to learn the dive ops set up, give us some back up as we had not done many deep dives at that time, and well just to show us around the wreck.
The problem for us was they paired us up with another pair (suppose to be only us two but they were busy as we were told after) when we hit the wreck my wife did stop to take a picture (we shouldve be a bit more aware also) and next thing you know the other two were a decent distance from us the guide was in the middle and I had hit my first third of air so it was time to head back to the anchor line. I relayed that to the guide who then signaled us to stay put while he went and got the others. By the time he returned I was down to 1000 psi at 115' and about a third of the way down the wreck from the assent line. Anyhow, I relayed this to my guide and he took control and signaled to another off duty guide who came over and assisted (mostly just incase). Anyhow to make a long story short I made my accent got to the safety stop with about 400 psi and was sucking on the hang reg, with like three other people there just incase and to assure me all was well.
I do not blame those two we were with we stopped for a picutre and probably lingered to long or at least longer than we should've for the dive but again we were not aware of this reason we hired a guide. The guide did what he thought was right and if he had not showed when he did I was going to head back to the line and basically do as they had (they told us in the pre dive briefing about the hang regs)
So to those that just disregarded the guide not knowing the whole situation first hand I would say your lucky they let you dive the second dive. And for those dive guides that do their job the best they can one thing sticks in my head. Though an operator or guide cares about your safety, your safety is in your control and if you give up that control by taking on a guide just go with the flow or go solo.
Sorry for the ramble sounds like you did what your job entailed but its almost impossible to make adults do what you want if they dont want to do it.
Wow, this post is so full if reasons that I would never conduct my dive or myself in this manner.
1) I would never hire a DM independently (or at all for that matter) to ensure my safety. That's my responsibility.
2) If for some crazy reason I did pay extra for a DM, for myself, there wouldn't be another pair with us just so they can double their profits and cut costs.
3) If I want to take a picture, I'm going to take a picture on the dive I paid for and not feel one but sorry for it.
5)I do not use charters who make you swim back to the boat. You only got you use a third of your dive time to see "new" things. Now you have to turn around and swim back by all the same **** you just looked at. No thank you. I paid, you can pick my up when my dive is done.
6)I didn't want the first DM, I certainly don't want some "off duty" guy putting his nose in my business.
Sorry for the rant, I just don't know why people insist on using these cattle boats who don't provide any service and charge 2 groups for a private dm then he's a group guide a of a sudden. Or, as in the OPs case, ( not saying you had anything to do with it) it sounds like the customers paid to dive then the captain forced them to be led around like dogs. If you think they are unsafe, refund their damn money and leave them at the dock. Don't get to the dive site then tell them they don't get to do what they paid to do. I'd be pissed too. /rant