Reminder of boat etiquette as we emerge from covid

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Remove your Rolex and stow it in the crew's tip jar before each dive, while repeatedly reminding the whole boat it's not actually a tip.
 
Remove your Rolex and stow it in the crew's tip jar before each dive, while repeatedly reminding the whole boat it's not actually a tip.

Not sure I'm aboard with giving people a reason to stick their hands in that jar.
 
Come on my private boat with a banana and one of you is going over the side!

??
And why is that? Are you allergic or superstitious?

I'm trying to recall if I've been on a liveaboard that didn't have a huge bunch of bananas hanging somewhere.

Superstitious, people who go to sea...Never.
Banana...not on my dive boat.
Oranges... are 'verboten' fishing in my area.
Thongs... [flip flops to you guys] not taken on a boat when mud crabbing.
Superstitious, never [touch wood].
 
Over the past year the boats we've been on have been at about half (or less) capacity, allowing lots of room to spread out while getting our stuff together on boats. On our last trip the boats were beginning to fill up again, and too many folks weren't observing basic boat etiquette. So I thought it might be worthwhile to remind seasoned divers - and new ones - about what helps make the boat diving experience as fun and hassle free as possible.

I'll start - and hope others will chime in with their thoughts.
  • Before getting on the boat make sure you have the permission of the captain/crew. They have a lot of things to set up before divers board - you don't want to be in the way.
  • If you bring a big gear bag please don't leave it in the middle of the boat for others to walk over/around. Unload it and stow it right away.
  • Don't leave your fins in the middle of the boat - store them under your seat until time to don them.
  • Don't put your mask in the camera bucket. Something about the defog and cameras doesn't mix well.
  • Try to stay within your two-tank area while getting your stuff together.
  • Try to make sure there is a tank between your BC and the next diver's tank with a BC on it.
  • Don't throw anything into the ocean - even if it's peeling from an orange - without first asking the dive crew if it's ok. Some seem to be ok with banana and orange peelings going into the ocean - others not - go with your boat crew recommendation.
  • Be quiet during the dive briefing. It may be your 50th dive with the op and you know all the stuff they're saying, but new folks need the info and it's just respectful.
  • Before you reach to zip a stranger's wetsuit or help with their BC, ask if they'd like help. You never know when the person might just NOT want help (for a variety of reasons).
  • After your dive, as more divers are coming out of the water, stay aware and get out of their way so they can get to their spot to sit back down. Those few steps to the bench, with a tank on your back, can be precarious. This is a safety issue.
  • Watch your NDL. Don't be the diver who has to be sent back down because their computer is beeping (erm - that was me once when I was wearing two computers with different algorithms - very embarrassing and probably not fun for the folks waiting on my arse while on the boat).
  • Tip well.
Can't wait to see what's added. :)
I didn't like the tip well bit. Why would you even want to tip? And most Divemasters working on boats will provide relevant information.
 
I didn't like the tip well bit. Why would you even want to tip? And most Divemasters working on boats will provide relevant information.

Why don’t you want to tip for services rendered?!?
It’s a basic understand and being a good person. Do you not tip in restaurants?
 
I didn't like the tip well bit. Why would you even want to tip? And most Divemasters working on boats will provide relevant information.
Give it up mate, I tried this awhile back on tips.
You will be "on a flogging to nothing" about this subject on this site.:coffee:
 
Superstitious, people who go to sea...Never.
Banana...not on my dive boat.
Oranges... are 'verboten' fishing in my area.
Thongs... [flip flops to you guys] not taken on a boat when mud crabbing.
Superstitious, never [touch wood].

And for heaven's sake, don't whistle while aboard a vessel at sea.

-Z
 
Why don’t you want to tip for services rendered?!?
It’s a basic understand and being a good person. Do you not tip in restaurants?
I wouldn't tip either if the cheap op owners would pay their DMs (or those dopes wouldn't work for tips only). Whole 'nuther thread.
 

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