Diving off small boats -- Questions

[Nemrod]

In those conditions id be tempted to approach dead into the wind. That way you can use the wind as a brake. Motor towards the divers in tickover and going to neutral for the last few meters and use the wind to stop you next to the divers.
Approaching the other way you run the risk of overshooting or hitting them.

Small RIBs generally its always better to do any slow speed stuff into the wind (or current, whatever has most effect) for that reason.

Me too but since I was not there I defer. I don't get all paranoid over the propeller. Once I have my divers in sight and KEEP them in sight I will bring the boat to them under power ( up wind or up current whichever is dominant or combination thereof) clicking into neutral once I am well positioned for them to make the final approach. I usually kill the engine at this point as well as my divers come aboard.

Over sciencing this is counter productive, this is all basic boat handling, forget about the divers, short of running over them, manuvering the boat is the same as docking or any other close quarter manuvering. Outboards behave differently from single or twin screw inboards. Generally more manuverable and easier to steer but lack of a deep(er) keel and lighter weight makes them more susceptable to windage. I prefer the bow into the seas and the divers to come aboard in the shelter of the stern.

N

 

[LeadTurn_SD]

Just for the record -- I, Peter, was not on the boat and the skipper was an experienced (and CG Licensed) small boat handler.

Things will get better with time and experience.

It sounds like your boat returned with the same number of divers it started with, so your boat driver did just fine

 

[dumpsterDiver]

....I usually kill the engine at this point as well as my divers .....N

Bet you go through a lot of dive buddies huh?

 

[Nemrod]

Bet you go through a lot of dive buddies huh?

That is funny, thanks.

N