Dive boat attire and etiquette

[miketsp]

It would be nice if dive boats would paint their names on the hulls.

It's not always that obvious.
I remember one trip where we were a large group so we split over 3 boats, ACRUX I, ACRUX II and ACRUX III, doing the same site and moored close together.
Since everyone was just referring to their boat as ACRUX, there was a certain amount of confusion at the end of the dive.

 

[surfsidedav]

I wondered about labeling gear. Do people use a waterproof permanent marker on gear?

I use colored zip ties. All my gear has a blue tie on it somewhere so I know it's my gear.

 

[J75]

IMO, some etiquette tips:

Don't bring everything you own with you on the boat. Keep your gear to the minimum amount you need.

Keep abovementioned gear in your area. Don't take up half the boat while getting geared up.

If you must smoke on the boat, go to the back of the boat to do so. Not the front (if the boat is moving). Same rules apply for urination.

Bring your own! This applies for water, food, o-rings, sunscreen, etc.

 

[jmani]

This is a great thread. I'm getting ready for my first boat trip in about a month and a half, so this has answered many of my questions. But...

My biggest worry is getting my wetsuit on. It takes me about a half hour. Really. So, when should I start the struggle to get into it? -I don't want to hold everyone up (or miss the first dive while fighting with it).

FYI: I'll be renting, otherwise (depending on weather) I'd consider putting it halfway on before boarding.

Invest $30 in a dive skin. It will save you 25 minutes struggling into your suit, and keeps you a ity bity bit warmer. I will never wear a 7mm without one again.

John

 

[rascal1933]

Last dive i went on was appx 68-72 Temps also.
Divers wore sandals,swimsuit and t-shirts.
Most divers had a dive bag with only what was needed for dive.
As suggested might not be a bad idea for change of dry clothes+windbreaker/warmup.
We had beverages and snacks furnished.
Very good Idea to Always call/check ahead and get the details on what you can expect from diving company you are dealing with.
Great Diving my Friend!

 

[seastarr2]

you might want to bring some hard candies for between dives and enough to share with the rest of the boat...makes you really popular!

 

[mmbawden]

Make sure you wear some thing, any thing under your wet suit. I was on a boat setting up and was not paying much attention to what was around me. When I looked up and there was the back end of another diver uncovered. Not what I want to see out diving. Unless you are a super model type.

Another annoying thing for me is the 300 lb diver who walks around the boat in undersized panties or I mean speedo's. Cover up please if this is you. We all would like to know you have something on under that gut!

And having hard tack candy is always good. Just make sure its in a dry place. And go and have fun!

 

[Rinkopr]

I could not agree more on the Speedo. At 270 I have a couple of tan through "Bike short style" bottoms that I wear, but before the shorts come off, I wrap up in a towel until the wetsuit is covering the bottoms. The same is used when removing the wetsuit. Wrap in a towel take the wetsuit off and put shorts back on.
I just don't want to make others around me sick when I am donning and doffing my suit. I guess it's just courtsey to others....

 

[cleung]

I assume that you had a successful dive and all your original questions were answered within the first 10 minutes of getting on the boat. Have fun for all your future dives.

 

[Vayu]

I havn't been on many boats, but both times I have were with charters. My buddy and I set our gear up and did buddy checks while waiting, then simply carried it to the slot and bungeed it in. Maybe its just me, but it can be difficult to do everything on a moving boat.

I usually ask how long its going to take to get to the site and then get wetsuited up about 10 minutes before arrival.

I also bring goldfish, bottled water, and a few extra clothes if its going to be a cold ride back.

The goldfish is an essential bartering tool.

-V