Unstaffed moored boat during dives?

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The only time I ever heard of a Cayman dive op having divers and divemasters in the water with no look-out on the boat was Sunset Divers back in 2015 and they were fined for the violation, see link below.

Dive operator fined for safety breach | Cayman Compass

A diver disappeared on that trip but the op claimed that it wasn't related because there was a staff member on board when the diver went missing.

I've never seen that happen with any op we've used in Cayman but we haven't tried them all.
 
Are we sure that the non-staff member was not adequately skilled to man the unoccupied vessel?

I don't want to dive from an unattended boat, but if several vessels are moored in close proximity to each other and a person remains on the boat, I don't think I would be too concerned.

It's all great until there's a problem.......... Faith will get you home safely.....
 
Are we sure that the non-staff member was not adequately skilled to man the unoccupied vessel?

I don't want to dive from an unattended boat, but if several vessels are moored in close proximity to each other and a person remains on the boat, I don't think I would be too concerned.
In my estimation the person on board had zero experience on a boat let alone a dive boat with the attendant potential hazards. I’d be surprised if he/she could swim.
 
Well this is a sad thread. Any CITA and/or approved boat is required to have someone on surface watch. We may we’ll be the smallest op on the island and still pay up for staff and insurance. Knowing the requirements is pretty easy. If the pricing is way down, something is off. Just make sure your op is CITA up to date. Anyone saying anything goes in The Cayman Islands is wrong. We pay up to operate here. Up to guests to make informed decisions but if someone chooses to go outside the box, don’t knock all the legitimate operators. I am sorry but we have been diving Cayman for the best part of 30 years and now have an op. The only way you get cheaper dives here is if someone cuts corners. Why wouldn’t anyone with a brain think why are they so much cheaper. The Cathy comments are unfair and there is a good chance unreasonable. There is a reason why the cut and pastes are despised.
Sadly, this is not a discounted or a lesser known op. Price was as high or higher than any other dive op I’ve seen.
 
The only time I ever heard of a Cayman dive op having divers and divemasters in the water with no look-out on the boat was Sunset Divers back in 2015 and they were fined for the violation, see link below.

Dive operator fined for safety breach | Cayman Compass

A diver disappeared on that trip but the op claimed that it wasn't related because there was a staff member on board when the diver went missing.

I've never seen that happen with any op we've used in Cayman but we haven't tried them all.
The Port Authority law does not state the person on board must be a staff member “The Port Authority law states, “At least one person shall remain on board and act as a lookout on any dive boat or other vessel whilst divers therefrom are down.” but I think the spirit of the law would indicate it should be staff on a charter type of operation.
 
In my estimation the person on board had zero experience on a boat let alone a dive boat with the attendant potential hazards. I’d be surprised if he/she could swim.

More importantly could she drive the boat? Use the radio/cell shore contact? Know the recall etc etc
 
More importantly could she drive the boat? Use the radio/cell shore contact? Know the recall etc etc
The only instruction I am aware of is during the safety briefing (to all passengers) before we left the dock instruction was given (verbal, no demo) of what channel the boat uses for emergency. I thought that was odd as I’d never heard that ever before.
 
Well there is no point in any op paying a staff member who cannot at a very minimum handle surface watch. We have to pay for work permits for most employees that are not cheap (few Caymanians) actually work in the industry. So we tend to hire DMs an Instructors as well as boat captains only. There are so many who want to come to work here there is no shortage in finding qualified staff so that situation is unforgivable. When you pick an op make sure they are part of CITA. There are a few ops that are do cut corners, don’t have proper credentials for sites like Kittiwake (because they don’t want to pay additional insurance necessary) and don’t pay for CITA membership because they don’t want to follow the regulations. We still see them in places they shouldn’t be. Unfortunately it is very difficult to stop them but as an industry we are trying. We self police. If there is a boat with divers in the water and no surface watch they are called in immediately whether they are public or private. If they didn’t have customers they would either have to comply or go out of business. :wink:.
 
Sadly with over 25 dive operators here, this as well as other violations of the Port Authority laws and CITA guidelines do occur from time to time. Some operators with greater frequency than others. But as the saying goes, it only takes one bad apple....

Make sure you select a reputable dive operator. Look at their online reviews, and don't be afraid to call them out on it. Sometimes an owner might not know what his crew is up to when he/she is not around. And if it's owner operated, then go elsewhere!
 
When you pick an op make sure they are part of CITA. There are a few ops that are do cut corners, don’t have proper credentials for sites like Kittiwake (because they don’t want to pay additional insurance necessary) and don’t pay for CITA membership because they don’t want to follow the regulations.

These are some very good indicators. If they don't have a Kittiwake license, or a WIZ permit (Wildlife Interaction Zone, needed for Stingray City) and they are running trips to these places, you can bet they are not following other regulations as well.

Both are stickers that should be on the vessel. The Kittiwake one looks like this. I couldn't find a WIZ permit, as I'm not on the boat.
1469799700_2016-17decal.jpg
 
https://www.shearwater.com/products/peregrine/

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