Geting Paid to Dive in Cozumel

[Dave Dillehay]

I personally know of several boats that have the painted names changed, without actually having permits or papers. The only way the navy or Port Captain could figure that out is to look at the hull ID (VIN) number. That of course also means that in the case of an accident there is ZERO insurance. That is a fact but I won't name names.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers.

 

[DandyDon]

Almost all dive masters/instructors are treated as independent contractors. Some shops pay them cash or under the table and those are not able to get Social Security even if they want to. The other shops pay them formerly with checks or cash and require facturas (reciepts) from them. Those are legal and may contribute what is a small amount towards their own social security and other government taxes.

Then I would suggest that all of those DMs & Instructors insist on legal contract work. It'd be nice if we customers could confirm compliance before doing business, and one member did actually suggest a possible way to do so - but not a reasonable one. Cozumel has come a long ways since the WWII vets came back to their old airfield with tanks and portable compressors to hire fishing boats to take them diving, including too many cruise piers in my opinion, and there is no apparent reason why Cozumel cannot resolve with Cozumel issue.

DAN Mexico coverage is unfortunately not much, $5,000 USD for local coverage I think, but if the pros have SS Medical coverage - they seem well covered, as well as possible. You all should see to that as much as possible.

As far as boat safety, other than Operator error, I don't know of any accidents. Sure, I'd like to ensure that the boat is safe before boarding, just like I'd like to be sure before boarding a ferry, bus, van, taxi, plane, etc. but there's not much I can check. The one time I requested Oxygen for a diver was at Coz and it failed, but should I start requiring every boat to demonstrate that their O2 kits are onboard and actually work? Why don't you all there take whatever actions that you can to improve safety in that area so as to protect the name of the island.

I am already boarding boats with as much gear as I can carry in one trip, including my own floatation vest I wear while the boat is moving and the DM is strapping my BC to a tank - yeah I'd wear it on your boat too, I'm checking every tank for CO levels for good reason,* carrying all the safety devices on dives I can - far more than most, and I think I'll start checking my tanks for O2 too since I have seen divers on Nitrox who thought they were on air for a deeper dive. I'm doing all I can I think, and hope Cozumel will do their bit.

* Yeah, the big fill station has Analox inline CO monitors thanks in large part to Dave here, and I hope they run them correctly, but there are a lot of compressors on Coz. I'd test tanks even from the big place with the monitors, but dang sure am going to test the others too.

Thanks for the info...!

 

[Dave Dillehay]

Keep in mind that the DAN coverage in Mexico is not so bad at $5000 limit. First off there is never a need to airlift Mexicans back to the US, indeed, most of them can't get Visas. Secondly, some chambers like Dr. Piccolo give huge discounts to working Cozumel DMs and actually will take as full coverage what DAN Mexico will offer.

By the way, ya'll have no idea how good you have it in Cozumel. I am right now on the Philippine Island of Boracay, a known asian dive mecca, and cannot find one--not one-- dive op that has O2 on board their boats. I may dive tomorrow but be very cautious.


Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

 

[cvchief]

Cozumel has come a long ways since the WWII vets came back to their old airfield with tanks and portable compressors to hire fishing boats to take them diving, including too many cruise piers in my opinion, ...

Did you hear they are working on adding another cruise terminal. This one is so Coz can become a "home port" and I guess gain the jobs of preparing the ships and having cruisers stay overnight before boarding. Also in Por Esto today people are complaining that there is a sediment cloud pouring onto Paridiso reef from the current construction in violation of MX environmental law.

 

[BTravlin]

Did you hear they are working on adding another cruise terminal. This one is so Coz can become a "home port" and I guess gain the jobs of preparing the ships and having cruisers stay overnight before boarding.

Where did you hear about this? I've heard about another pier but not the aspect of it being a home port. Not sure this makes sense to me as I don't believe Cozumel has the infrastructure to resupply a cruise ship.

 

[judydivescoz]

Where did you hear about this? I've heard about another pier but not the aspect of it being a home port. Not sure this makes sense to me as I don't believe Cozumel has the infrastructure to resupply a cruise ship.

From what I have heard, the new cruise ship pier is planned to be north of town by Puerto Abrigo.

 

[deepstops]

Where did you hear about this? I've heard about another pier but not the aspect of it being a home port. Not sure this makes sense to me as I don't believe Cozumel has the infrastructure to resupply a cruise ship.

Agreed, the chandler services required to supply a cruise ship are enormous.

I guess I have to ask, what's a larger, more sustainable business, cruise visitors or divers??

 

[BTravlin]

Agreed, the chandler services required to supply a cruise ship are enormous.

I guess I have to ask, what's a larger, more sustainable business, cruise visitors or divers??

Exactly. And if that is their intention then the new car ferry should also have been put in up north otherwise all the supplies for the ship would have to be trucked through town to get to the new pier in the north.

 

[Mike]

It'd be nice if we customers could confirm compliance before doing business, and one member did actually suggest a possible way to do so - but not a reasonable one.

There is a reason that companies like Aldora and some others have their rates set so much higher than others, perhaps it wasn't because they were getting rich, but just maybe they are operating above board and taking care of their people.

Edited * to remove soap box

 

[firstdive2005]

Most of these statements are correct but it is legitimate crap to say that 65-70usd payed to some smaller dive shops makes it impossible to pay for support for the staff. If the shop decides to do it then the dms make less money. Period. I know several small ops that pay like this. They also have smaller volume boats, and maybe a little less 'service given'. Some still do the full meal deal. The owners make less money but stay busy. There is a lot of self horn blowing going on here!!!!!