Is a group leader (DM) usually expected on a boat?

[underachiever]

Is it customary for a boat charter ( when I say charter I just imply a boat that has paying customers on it.) to have someone to get in the water? I have been reading threads since our first dives and it seems that there is usually someone (on staff) getting in the water. But on our dives after OWC, no one other than paying customers (snorklers and divers) got in the water. Same folks that had certified us the day before. They did know that this was our first dives. What is the normal practice? They did give very good instruction about the current and reminded us to swim out against the current and return with it. Not that we ran into any problem but just wondering. Really did not think anything about it until I read a few threads mentioning thing about staying with the group (being guided) All of this was in fairly shallow reefs in the Keys.

I guess we did waste some time looking for a paticular object on our second dive. (statue of Christ) but after a few minutes of not finding it we just started looking at everything. We did surface near another boat and asked if they could point us at it. And they did. It just seems like it would have been nice to have had someone to lead us straight to it.

 

[TSandM]

In my limited experience, this may be a regional difference. The boats we've been on in Hawaii put a group leader in the water, as did the operation in Australia, but our local boats do not.

 

[Nevis Diver]

In Cozumel I have always been in the water with at least one and sometimes two DM's. The only other palce I have used a charter was Coastal Scuba out of Little River and even though there were two DM's on the boat neither one went in as a DM. One went in to work with one of his students but I never saw him. Oh yeah, I did a charter on the Cooper River in February which was really cold with my 7mm. He stayed in the boat while a buddy and I dove.

 

[JodiBB]

Most charters I've dove through Sports Chalet usually had a DM jump in the water for anchor and water condition purposes, but doesn't lead the groups by any means and stays on the boat to check-out/in people.

On a 6-pack I recently dove off of, the captain WAS the DM too...he never got off the boat...he never even suited up to come to think of it...it was definitely a private dive for the 6 of us....

 

[DandyDon]

It's required in some areas - like Cozumel, but not in most, and often does not happen.

Padi used to offer a Basic cert with which one could dive only under the supervision of a DM, but with your OW card - you are not required to have a DM or other guide. The most popular dive Ops in Key Largo use 6-packs with no DMs in the water.

If you want a DM lead dive, you have to shop with that as a requirement for booking, or hire your own.

 

[Sideband]

I've never had a DM/guide on a dive. I dive Lake charters and did some ocean diving earlier this year. In Florida the DM jumped in to set the down line then was back on the boat. In the lake I only see DMs if they are watching students.

Joe

 

[trigfunctions]

Most dive operators in southeast Florida do NOT send a dive guide in the water unless you arrange for one in advance and pay extra. I have only heard of one that did automatically provide one (Paradise Charters in Key Largo) but they don't anymore.

If you are a new ocean diver, I recommend getting a guide because you can let them concentrate on navigating and finding the cool critters and you can concentrate on your control and enjoyment. If you don't want to go with a guide, I recommend taking a compass along to help you find things (like the statue - or the boat!)

 

[Web Monkey]

Absolutely sometimes!

There's always been a DM in Cozumel, In Florida, there is sometimes a DM on the boat, and sometimes he goes in, but you can't count on either without asking.

There's never been a DM on any dives I've been on in the St. Lawrence river, Lake Ontario or Huron.

If you want to make sure, you have to ask.

Terry

Is it customary for a boat charter ( when I say charter I just imply a boat that has paying customers on it.) to have someone to get in the water? I have been reading threads since our first dives and it seems that there is usually someone (on staff) getting in the water. But on our dives after OWC, no one other than paying customers (snorklers and divers) got in the water. Same folks that had

 

[vondo]

In Florida I have never seen a DM "dive" and certainly not lead. (They've gone down to anchor the boat, that is it).

Outside the U.S., there was always a DM guide.

Just my experience.

 

[cornfed]

Most charters I've dove through Sports Chalet usually had a DM jump in the water for anchor and water condition purposes, but doesn't lead the groups by any means and stays on the boat to check-out/in people.

That was a "mate" or a "deck hand", not a DM.