Dive boat etiquette - list

[PhillyDave]

Well said RJP and mdax. It's a little different diving in NJ then the Caribbean but either way a few bucks never hurt anyone. I only put this out there for people who never thought about tipping and not for the people who are too cheap or have a problem with tipping. And Slmason, I hope she finally brought the check!

Any other etiquette items I missed on my list?

 

[SC_Hoaty]

Are they really etiquette items when there is such debate about them? Or is tipping not an etiquette item? Maybe when you do your presentation you should acknowledge that tipping is a personal choice, much appreciated by those who labor to provide a service. Calling it a "rule" or "required" only serves to piss off the very people you are trying to communicate to.

Do you plan to cover anything about "know who your buddy is" or something similar? There is also the "nice" way of telling the crew to not touch your gear (this is a big deal for some folks, and not for others. If the crew touching your gear is a problem, tell them nicely!)

The Bow/Stern/Port/Starboard, what is a head, etc. are more like boat basics than etiquette. If you are presenting to your club, cover these first as intro stuff instead of mixing it in with the real "behavior" items that comprise etiquette. Since there has already been disagreement on where to put used TP, it would seem that "listen to the boat briefing" and "ask questions if you don't understand" should be near the front of the presentation. Some things vary from boat to boat.

After you give your presentation, will you post any feedback from your club?

---------- Post added ----------

Almost forgot the usual cautions - don't touch the coral, don't stand on the reef, don't silt up the view for others, ....

They apply regardless of whether one uses a boat or not.

 

[Tigerman]

Not tipping has nothing to do with being cheap whatsoever although some of you who think tipping is mandatory seem to want to believe so. It has to do with what a tip is supposed to be - a gratuity - and what people expect for this gratuity to be earned. Some are spoiled and have high standards and others are used to bare minimums and is happy with that.

The ones not familiar with the concept of a tip seem to be the ones that tip everyone for everything because "you have to"..

 

[RJP]

Some things vary from boat to boat.

If you've seen one boat, you've seen... one boat!

 

[JamesK]

There is also the "nice" way of telling the crew to not touch your gear (this is a big deal for some folks, and not for others. If the crew touching your gear is a problem, tell them nicely!)

Yeah. I say to them "Look guys, I am a real ass when it comes to my gear. I appreciate the heck out of the fact that you want to help, believe me, I do. I just would rather setup my own gear. It's kinda like my meditation cycle before a dive. Take your time to help someone else, I will not hold it against you."

That usually goes over pretty well.

Of course I have very limited dive boat experience, so my way probably isn't the best way.

---------- Post added ----------

Oh yeah, and you smokers.. Long trips I can understand you needed/wanting a cigarette, but please do not come and talk to me about your amazing dive skills while blowing smoke in my face. You are alrady blowing enough smoke up my kiester.

 

[cbm32]

I can be generous to a fault, or one cheap SOB. Just depends on the situation and the person/people I am dealing with. As long as it is my money, that is my right.

My last word on tipping is that one of the quickest ways to get no tip from me, or at least a very reduced one, is to tell me I have to or for the Captain or someone to beg for the crew to be tipped. I KNOW that I can tip if I want to and I KNOW how to tip if I want to. If you want to be sure of that put a tip bucket, labeled as such, in plain sight.

I am getting close to 100 dives now and I think 2 of them have not been boat dives. I really havent had anything happen on a dive boat yet that I felt flew badly in the face of proper behavior. Well once a Japanese tourist on a dive boat in Fiji vomited all over several full tanks, but he was trying to make it over to where he could get his head over the side of the boat so I didnt hold it against him

 

[RJP]

Yeah. I say to them "Look guys, I am a real ass when it comes to my gear. I appreciate the heck out of the fact that you want to help, believe me, I do. I just would rather setup my own gear. It's kinda like my meditation cycle before a dive. Take your time to help someone else, I will not hold it against you."

That usually goes over pretty well.

Of course I have very limited dive boat experience, so my way probably isn't the best way.

Any way is fine. Crew would always prefer to know what customers want - we can't read minds, so just tell us. (You wouldn't go to a restaurant, and HOPE that the waitress will magically know what you want to eat.)

When I'm on a dive boat I'll tell the crew "FYI - I'm 100% self-sufficient when it comes to setting-up/gearing-up, so don't worry about me unless I specifically ask for something. Focus your efforts on folks that need the help." I've never had anyone be anything but thankful for letting them know. They have less to do, so are happier, they can focus on other people, who are therefor happier, and both the crew and needy passengers are occupied and out of my way... so I'm therefor happier!

 

[PhillyDave]

I'm done with the tipping thing. I's up to you whether you do or not. I know there are too many "Mr. Pinks" ("Reservoir Dogs" reference. Rent the movie if you don't get it.) involved with this thread.

Knowing bow/ stern/ port/ starboard has a lot to do with etiquette because if you don't know how to exit the boat or get back on, where the DM is gonna watch for bubbles and count you/log your time or general direction on the vessel then you may be in trouble. Most DMs talk boat language and if you don't understand the terms you'll be lost. And again I'm referencing most NJ diving. Diving here isn't as pretty as Cali or the Carib where you have 2 crew members for every diver.

And I've never been on a boat where I throw used toilet paper into a basket. That's just disgusting. I'll hold it.

 

[Laurie S.]

Better not dive off a boat in Mexico. or for that matter go anywhere on land, if you are unable to throw tp in a closed can.

 

[vladimir]

Bow is the front
Stern is the back
....
Strap your tanks down so they don’t fall off the holder through the floor

As long as were getting nautical, the floor is the deck.

Two tank dives last week... $30-$40 a day tip. They earned it.

On behalf of my fellow crew-members, please allow me to extend an invitation to dive with us aboard the Gypsy Blood any time you come to NJ!

:d

Dinner at the restaurant I am at right now... Maybe 12-15%... If the waitress ever stops by so I can get the check...

And on behalf of every waiter in New York City, please stay away.