Caution Diving the Riviera out of Dana Point Harbor CA

[Zog]

The diver made a judgement to call the dive. We all talk about individuals taking control of their own dive/dive day. It was out of his comfort zone, so I think he made the right decision. He may make a different decision on another day on another boat, but he took control, so I commend him for that. As far as his view on the crew of that particular boat, I cannot comment since I've never dove with them. Hope you have a better experience on another dive. We have some awesome diving in SoCal. :blinking:

 

[fnfalman]

I personally don't see an issue with "safety" vis-a-vis the tanks being laid down and chocked. However, if the OP isn't happy with the arrangement, then he gotta do what he gotta do.

I am always concerned with the charter copping attitude against divers though. Differences of opinions is one thing, being solicitious or sarcastic to the customers? The hell with that. Life is too short for me to put up with that sort of attitude. There are plenty of boats with friendly services around.

 

[SoCalRich]

I agree! It was best for EVERYONE that YOU leave the boat. Maybe just maybe YOU caused the aggressive attitude with YOUR anal attitude. I quote: "I expect them to cater to me". By YOU leaving YOU probably reduced the stress level of everyone aboard. It is also surprising that with between 50 & 100 dives, That YOU have never seen tanks stowed under the benches here in Southern Calif. Or anywhere else for that matter.
Relax

 

[Hatul]

I'm not quite sure what the purpose of diving the Riviera is. I often see the boat anchored near Deadman Reef, which is one of the classic shore diving sites in Laguna. It's a long swim but not too bad, so I'm not sure why anyone would put up with the hassle of a dive boat and the $100 or so fee for a shore dive.

 

[OkByMe]

You money, your time and your perception of safety. Doing what you are comfortable with is what recreation is all about. They may have been doing it for a long time and doing it safely, but what has that got to with your comfort level. Just because they have been doing something for a long time does not make it right, just that they may have managed to get the job done that way. I do things that are not considered to right and have mitigated the consequence to avoid the penalty.

Carry a couple of pieces of 1/2" surgical tubing with you. This can be used to lash 2 tanks together at the valve and the bottom. 2 tied together won't roll. I don't have have tank racks on my boat ether and store them under the console lashed together.

 

[BUDMANOK]

Not saying op is right or wrong but I always have one or two spare bungies in my bag along with o-ring pliers, hex wrench and open end wrenches to fit my rig.

 

[diver 85]

OP, buy/get your own boat & 100% of your AR is solved---on dive boats anyway......

 

[MaxBottomtime]

 

[stevensamler]

I think the OP must work for Kiewit...

 

[Captain Ray]

Wow, I’ve been working on and owning/running boats around here for about 31 years right now and I would personally question the “over 30 years” as bs. As far as I know, the guy running the boat is about 15 years, if that. He is however, a competent operator. Everyone is entitled to their opinion about how boats operate and whether or not they like the operation. I am not a fan of how the op involved conducts their business. The idea that your “shore training diving” should cost more and take you to the same limited spots is ludicrous. That said, the boat crew should have the final say about safety. I.e.: gear storage, etc. If you think you can do it better, buy a charter boat and do it better. My guess is that you would probably have a pretty tough time with that. I personally have been the recipient of more unfounded criticism than you could ever conceive of. However, on my vessels, safety is my responsibility and my priority. If you think you would be allowed to dictate how I conduct myself you would be foolishly misguided. In my 31 years of operating I have yet to have a fatality I believe you would have to go a long way to meet or duplicate that statistic. I will continue to do everything in my power to see to it the Southern California dive industry is the safest it could every be. If you are that unhappy with them, move on. there are still a few dive boats available around the LA basin.