Disabled divers

[scottschop]

Good Morning All,

Is there anyone operating a smaller vessel (30' w/ 10' beam) that accomodates disabled divers?

Looking for ideas on exit and entry modifications to the boat. Currently running a 30' Baha Cruiser with twin outboards on a transom.

Thanks

 

[Akyla]

That is going to be a difficult issue on a smaller boat with the outboards taking up most of the stern area. Even on a larger boat there are going to be issues with making it simple and safe. It also depends a great deal on the level and type of disablity the diver has as to what accomidations they are going to need and if they have any ability to get back on board. No two disabled divers are the same as it depends upon the injury they suffered or the limbs they lost or have control over. I found this out many years ago when doing instruction for disabled divers and quite honestly some will never be able to boat dive easily.

Best thing I have seen for anyone that has issues with the ladders and safe entry/exit is what Capt JT did to his boat "Under Pressure" last year. He has an elevator lift on the transom that you get on in the water and it rides them up to deck level. Very slick, but it was a lot of engineering and something I wont be doing anytime soon. He can tell you what it entailed to construct.