Capt Jim Wyatt
Hanging at the 10 Foot Stop
Staff member
ScubaBoard Business Sponsor
Scuba Instructor
After reading a couple of posts on here about some boat diving issues I decided to add this thread to give folks a general idea about some boat behaviors that will help you have a better time. I am sure others will add other items and I may also. All the items on this list I have gotten from experience from a couple of decades of being a captain and carrying passengers.
- Be on time, better yet be early.
- If you need to rent gear, be early.
- Confirm your reservation a day or so in advance.
- Make sure you know where your boat is leaving from and the expected check-in time.
- Have your cert cards with you at check-in.
- Listen to the Captain's safety briefing it may save your life. This briefing is a US Coast Guard requirement for anyone holding a Captain's License.
- Listen to the First Mates' boat amenities briefing it will likely help you have more fun.
- Do not talk or set up your gear during the briefings. It is rude and distracting to those who want to hear the briefings.
- Do not be a jerk.
- Don't be a know-it-all even if you think you know more than the captain and crew.
- Weather cancellations are for your safety and may be last minute.
- Dive operators do not cancel for weather because they do not need your money.
- Do not get on the boat if you have had just "one beer" at lunch or a Bloody Mary at breakfast.
- If you get seasick take meds the NIGHT BEFORE and the morning of your trip.
- If you get seasick do not throw up on the boat, in the head or in the garbage can. Just feed the fish, they like a hot meal too.
- Don't eat a big meal before diving.
- Do not take anything from the cooler unless you put in in there. I have actually had a kid go into the cooler, found my Subway sandwich and eat it.
- If you want a beer after the dive ask the captain before you assume it is OK to have booze on the boat ahead of time.
- If you have 2800 psi in your AL80 for a 25 foot deep reef dive, be cool, that is enough air.
- If you want nitrox let the staff know the day before, don't wait until the boat is ready to leave and then decide you want nitrox.
- Don't spread your gear all over the boat while getting ready.
- If you get good service from the crew tip them. Remember they cannot control the weather, the visibility or the current. They can control their attitudes and friendliness. Same goes if you are taking a class, tip your instructor AND the crew.
- My suggestion and a generally accepted industry standard is to tip $10/tank provided the customer service is good.
- When the Captain tells you what time to be back on the boat, be on time, or a couple of minutes early. I have had people as late as 20 minutes and we have already sounded the alarm and called for help locating a missing diver.
- Always assume you need a buddy, in rare circumstances are divers allowed to dive solo.
- Pack your gear bag on the trip home, don't wait until the boat docks.
- Try to have fun.