Leaving Boat Unattended While Diving

[coldcanbefun]

I've been thinking about buying a boat to access new dive sites. I primarily shore dive but there are many wonderful boat dives in my location, I really like the idea of being able to access them with my own boat. One thing I can't square in my head though is how to go diving without taking along a non-diver to watch the boat while the divers are below. It seems to me that leaving the boat unattended while diving would be an unacceptable risk, especially when diving off-shore. I'm curious how people typically go diving with their own boats, do they always have someone to stay behind while they dive, or is there a safe way to dive without someone left on the boat?

 

[gamon]

I dived solo off my own 18' center console many times over 3 summers mostly on an artificial reef less than a mile from shore. I made a few attempts to find a watcher by advertising on local fishing forums and diving FB pages but didn't get much interest.

I always made sure to put out plenty of anchor line and tried to avoid rough conditions where the boat might pull the anchor or I'd have trouble getting back to it working against a current. I'd thoroughly check the placement of the anchor, sometimes removing it from the sand and securely attaching it to a wreck, often tying my reel directly to the anchor line despite the potential drawbacks of doing so.

I used an anchor that was larger than necessary, understanding that if current picked up I might not be able to unhook it without surface support so it might be necessary to cut the line to release it. I always carried a spare but I recovered several anchors from wrecks so there was no shortage of anchors and I never did have to cut it free.

One time I approached the bottom and found the anchor hadn't grabbed and it was briskly moving above the sand. After unsuccessful attempts to try to get it to grab hold, I tucked it under my arm and was pulled along the bottom by a strong current. It was a thrill ride. I asked myself if I remembered any anchored boats in the vicinity whose captains might not appreciate an unattended boat bearing down on them, and what might happen if I accidentally let go of the anchor.

I would lock the boat ignition key, car keys and cellphone in the glove box and stash the key somewhere just in case someone came across the boat either with good or mal intent but it was a relatively desolate area with few boats around and I wasn't down all that long, maybe 30-40 minutes.

Never had an issue however in the back of my mind there was always a bit of irrational fear that as I ascended the line something would go wrong and the boat would be coming down to meet me or I'd find it on the bottom. Always double check the bilge pump is turned on and operating before you get ready to splash. There were occasions where I was enjoying a nice dive yet there was that nagging thought in the back of my head "did I turn on the switch?"

 

[Still Kicking]

I've been thinking about buying a boat to access new dive sites. I primarily shore dive but there are many wonderful boat dives in my location, I really like the idea of being able to access them with my own boat. One thing I can't square in my head though is how to go diving without taking along a non-diver to watch the boat while the divers are below. It seems to me that leaving the boat unattended while diving would be an unacceptable risk, especially when diving off-shore. I'm curious how people typically go diving with their own boats, do they always have someone to stay behind while they dive, or is there a safe way to dive without someone left on the boat?

Owning a boat for diving opens up a whole realm of possibilities but the learning curve is steep and the price for miscalculation can be high (not just dollar cost).

Here's a thread that covered some of the many issues. At minimum, you need a completely reliable anchoring set-up, expererience assessing conditions and careful planning for multiple contingencies.

Thread 'Techniques for boat diving without surface support'

Oct 11, 2023

I'm aware of the thread "Boat Diving With Nobody at Surface;" however, I'm interested in hearing how those that do boat dive without surface support mitigate the risk (and frankly, I'm just trying to get to the minimum thread count to post gear for sale on the classifieds).

Personally, I dive off of a 16ft Zodiac and limit myself to only very good conditions (wind, waves, and current). I also carry a PLB as well as visual and audible signaling devices (giant SMB and whistle).

Most often, I am wreck diving somewhere that has a mooring (usually only one mooring per wreck around...

• tylerdives
• Replies: 62
• Forum: Boats & Boating Equipment

• 

 

[coldcanbefun]

I dived solo off my own 18' center console many times over 3 summers mostly on an artificial reef less than a mile from shore. I made a few attempts to find a watcher by advertising on local fishing forums and diving FB pages but didn't get much interest.

I always made sure to put out plenty of anchor line and tried to avoid rough conditions where the boat might pull the anchor or I'd have trouble getting back to it working against a current. I'd thoroughly check the placement of the anchor, sometimes removing it from the sand and securely attaching it to a wreck, often tying my reel directly to the anchor line despite the potential drawbacks of doing so.

I used an anchor that was larger than necessary, understanding that if current picked up I might not be able to unhook it without surface support so it might be necessary to cut the line to release it. I always carried a spare but I recovered several anchors from wrecks so there was no shortage of anchors and I never did have to cut it free.

One time I approached the bottom and found the anchor hadn't grabbed and it was briskly moving above the sand. After unsuccessful attempts to try to get it to grab hold, I tucked it under my arm and was pulled along the bottom by a strong current. It was a thrill ride. I asked myself if I remembered any anchored boats in the vicinity whose captains might not appreciate an unattended boat bearing down on them, and what might happen if I accidentally let go of the anchor.

I would lock the boat ignition key, car keys and cellphone in the glove box and stash the key somewhere just in case someone came across the boat either with good or mal intent but it was a relatively desolate area with few boats around and I wasn't down all that long, maybe 30-40 minutes.

Never had an issue however in the back of my mind there was always a bit of irrational fear that as I ascended the line something would go wrong and the boat would be coming down to meet me or I'd find it on the bottom. Always double check the bilge pump is turned on and operating before you get ready to splash. There were occasions where I was enjoying a nice dive yet there was that nagging thought in the back of my head "did I turn on the switch?"

Thanks for taking the time to relay your first hand experience. This confirms that it may not be the best idea for me.

 

[coldcanbefun]

Owning a boat for diving opens up a whole realm of possibilities but the learning curve is steep and the price for miscalculation can be high (not just dollar cost).

Here's a thread that covered some of the many issues. At minimum, you need a completely reliable anchoring set-up, expererience assessing conditions and careful planning for multiple contingencies.

Thread 'Techniques for boat diving without surface support'

Oct 11, 2023

I'm aware of the thread "Boat Diving With Nobody at Surface;" however, I'm interested in hearing how those that do boat dive without surface support mitigate the risk (and frankly, I'm just trying to get to the minimum thread count to post gear for sale on the classifieds).

Personally, I dive off of a 16ft Zodiac and limit myself to only very good conditions (wind, waves, and current). I also carry a PLB as well as visual and audible signaling devices (giant SMB and whistle).

Most often, I am wreck diving somewhere that has a mooring (usually only one mooring per wreck around...

• tylerdives
• Replies: 62
• Forum: Boats & Boating Equipment

• 

This is perfect, thanks for the link.

 

[Nemrod]

Relatively shallow, swimming distance to shore, little to no current or seas, yes:




(Photos from a solo dive on the Tug Louis near Destin, anchored demonstrating the benign conditions I would consider for leaving my boat unattended, near shore and easy swimming distance, glass water, no current)

 

[WreckWriter]

Not for me. A boat handler, capable of driving the boat and working the radio (you do have a VHF, right?) is a must. With a good boat handler you can dispense with the whole anchoring thing too. Use a shotline and have the boat stand off a ways.

 

[Nemrod]

Not for me. A boat handler, capable of driving the boat and working the radio (you do have a VHF, right?) is a must. With a good boat handler you can dispense with the whole anchoring thing too. Use a shotline and have the boat stand off a ways.

The OP has not yet bought a boat, he cannot therefore know if his future boat already has a VHF or would need to purchase and install one. If you mean me, yes a VHF, a second handheld, two PLBs, one portable and one fixed, a cell phone, two chart plotters and all the other stuff that is required and useful and a new Garmin in a scuba rated case, all updated as the years passed.













(Scans from my last 35mm film camera, Nikonos III, solo dive on the Tanks and Tug Louise near Destin showing the benign conditions suitable for me to leave my boat unattended, I sometimes carry a short lanyard with a shackle to tie off the anchor line to a wreck or a wreck hook instead of anchoring in the sand, depends upon circumstances, with the good viz in the photos I can see lots of things and take photos without leaving my anchor line out of radius of sight)

 

[gamon]

@Nemrod curious why you felt the need to spam this thread with a page full of unrelated photos?

 

[WreckWriter]

The OP has not yet bought a boat, he cannot therefore know if his future boat already has a VHF or would need to purchase and install one. If you mean me, yes a VHF, a second handheld, two PLBs, one portable and one fixed, a cell phone, two chart plotters and all the other stuff that is required and useful and a new Garmin in a scuba rated case, all updated as the years passed.

It was rhetorical question dude... meant to express my opinion that one should never go to sea without one.