charter boat question
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MSilvia
Contributor
It depends alot on where you're diving, and the circumstances under which you book the charter. For example, there are a lot of places in the Caribbean that cater to divers on vacation, and will provide tanks, weights, a divemaster/guide, and probably buddy you up with either a single diver or a DM. If you were to charter a boat in Massachusetts, you would be expected to provide your own gear and buddy, and there's a very good chance there wouldn't be a DM in the water at all.
Likewise, if you call a charter boat and ask them to take you out to location X, it's entirely possible that your group will be the only customers on board. If you sign up for a trip that'll happen with or without you, there's a better chance you'll get paired up with someone.
If in doubt about a boat's policy, ask first. If you get on a boat without a buddy, it's a good idea to ask if there are any divers that wouldn't mind buddying with you, and get to know the volunteers. If you wait for the DM to assign you a buddy, you might not get a buddy you'll be happy with.
Likewise, if you call a charter boat and ask them to take you out to location X, it's entirely possible that your group will be the only customers on board. If you sign up for a trip that'll happen with or without you, there's a better chance you'll get paired up with someone.
If in doubt about a boat's policy, ask first. If you get on a boat without a buddy, it's a good idea to ask if there are any divers that wouldn't mind buddying with you, and get to know the volunteers. If you wait for the DM to assign you a buddy, you might not get a buddy you'll be happy with.
Wijbrandus
Contributor
In every instance I've used a charter so far (about fifteen times), the DM has not buddied up anyone. They just told the odd-man out to "stay with the group". It is your responsibility to insure you have a buddy if you want one.
The few times I've been solo on a boat, I was told the same thing, I made sure to find my own buddy. I'm not a solo diver. Even if it's just a crutch, and I have no clue about the ability of the instant buddy, and he has no clue of mine, I figure it's better to have an unreliable buddy than no buddy at all.
On some boats, there is a paid DM that goes into the water with you. On some there is not. This is a question well worth asking the operator before you sign up, if it's a concern to you. At my point in diving, I'd rather not be part of a herd following a DM, but I haven't let go of the apron strings yet. That will happen on my next dive trip, since it's a much more hands off location (CoCoView).
PS My diving is strictly Carribean Tourist fare so far.
The few times I've been solo on a boat, I was told the same thing, I made sure to find my own buddy. I'm not a solo diver. Even if it's just a crutch, and I have no clue about the ability of the instant buddy, and he has no clue of mine, I figure it's better to have an unreliable buddy than no buddy at all.
On some boats, there is a paid DM that goes into the water with you. On some there is not. This is a question well worth asking the operator before you sign up, if it's a concern to you. At my point in diving, I'd rather not be part of a herd following a DM, but I haven't let go of the apron strings yet. That will happen on my next dive trip, since it's a much more hands off location (CoCoView).
PS My diving is strictly Carribean Tourist fare so far.
Don't forget you can always check around the board and see if you can find a buddy for your planned excursion. There are a lot of divers here and many are in the same "no regular buddy" boat that you are.
Ber :lilbunny:
Ber :lilbunny:
I have had it both ways on the same boat before. I did morning dives with 2 other divers that showed up solo and we were a 3 man "buddy" team for both dives. Then the went on their way as I hung around for the second boat trip. The boat went out because 4 snorklers showed up and the DM dove with me as the only diver on the boat. In cases like that it wasn't boat policy to have a DM in the water but he went out of his way so he was compensated accordingly. It was great having someone who knew all the sites to play tour guide.
I see you're headed to Penascola in a few days. If you dive in the Florida Panhandle you won't have a divemaster leading the diving unless you hire one to go with you. If you are uncomfortable or simply unfamilar with the diving you can certainly hire one for around $25 to $50 extra.
In Destin they will drop anchor and tell you they are on the reef or wreck. In Panama City they usually put a diver in the water who chains off to the wreck but does not dive with the group.
In Pensacola I have never had a divemaster lead a dive.
As far being solo, you're usually on your own to team up with two buddies. In Panama City I dove with a dive op a number to times and they let me in the water first to shoot pictures and just said come up when we bring the anchor rope up.
In Destin they will drop anchor and tell you they are on the reef or wreck. In Panama City they usually put a diver in the water who chains off to the wreck but does not dive with the group.
In Pensacola I have never had a divemaster lead a dive.
As far being solo, you're usually on your own to team up with two buddies. In Panama City I dove with a dive op a number to times and they let me in the water first to shoot pictures and just said come up when we bring the anchor rope up.
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