Just a question about dive boats

[smokey braden]

ctp,
welcome to this board.
you have received very good advise.
relax and have fun.
when you get back please tell us about y'alls experience.
regards,

 

[kjunheart]

I agree with everyone on what to do on the boat. It is all about awareness out of and IN the water. Be aware of where other divers are. Be aware of where your gear is and where you are putting yourself. Both apply to the boat and once in the water.

Most of the dive boats around here typically have 6-24 divers aboard so things can get a bit congested especially when suiting up. My biggest pet peeve on charter boats are the people who, once in the water, just play follow the leader and forget that there are other people diving. Be courteous not to drop down on top of someone when making your decent vice versa with your assent.

Awareness, awareness, awareness.

 

[Grounded]

On a related note, I'm always curious about tipping.

I don't want to start a "reservoir dogs" debate as to whether or not one is obligated to tip the crew.

Instead, assume that the crew provides all of the expected services, is friendly and that I am a person who prefers to tip at an average level that is neither "cheap," nor "excessive." (e.g. I tip 20% at restaurants, $2 per bag at hotels, $3 + change to the pizza guy)

I usually just do two tank boats.

 

[duckster3d]

I like to bring gear bag onboard, set up tank, secure tank. Pull out mask, fins, wetsuit
Booties, as well as other gear that you will be using. I then pack up the extra gear, and take the gear bag off the boat and back into my car. I do this for two reasons, first the bag stays dry so after the trip I bring the bag back on the boat load gear and carry the bag off the boat. my back stays nice and dry. the other reason is that the limited space.

when using the mask rinse bucket do not just drop your mask in and slosh it around, instead place mask in bucket allow water to flow over the edge into the mask, remove mask slosh water around, and throw water overboard. this will keep the rinse bucket clean for other divers.

as other have said dress out of your spot return to the same spot and de-gear back into your space.

don't put your mask on the seat next to you as someone will set their tank right onto it.

 

[Jim Baldwin]

My wife and I are going to do our first boat dive in the very near future, and I figured I would look to you all for the information we need to remember. We have made many shore dives, but want to to find out the proper etiqute (sorry if spelling sucks) for the boat dive.. how much stuff is too much, entering and exiting and just the all around right things to do to make it smooth as we can. Yes we will be on a vacation to enjoy a dive but so will other people and I dont want to ruin anyones trip just like I dont want mine ruined by someone on the boat. Thanks for reading this post and any help that you can give.

Get a good marker and put your name, initals, outline the letters or something on your gear so that you can determine what is yours. This is especially important with a lot of folks on board. You will stand a better chance of getting your fins, mask, and weight belt back in its right place with your mark on it.

And as several have said be sure and take plenty of seasick medication. Start taking it the evening before so it gets in your system. Bonine works great for me and doesn't work for others. Stay away from the back of the boat. The heavy diesel smoke will do most people in and don't put your wetsuit on at the dock. The boat captain or first mate will normally tell you when you are about 10 to 15 minutes from the dive site usually during the dive briefing. This is plenty of time to get into your wetsuit and will keep you from overheating.

 

[EvaL]

Hi. Good recommendations from several people above. I'll add 10 more:
1. Arrive early (don't forget c-card). One tends to forget stuff when in a hurry. If the dive op allows it, set up your gear (reg, BC etc) before the boat leaves the jetty. It is harder to do so when the boat is on the move.
2. Put your fins and other equipment under your bench so they stay out of the way of other divers. For other stuff you won't be using, you could hand them to the captain to stow away and keep away from splashes.
3. If drinks or snacks aren't provided, bring your own (the boat may have ice-boxes to keep your drinks cold).
4. Assume everything will get wet. Bring a waterproof box/bag for dry clothes and towel. A windbreaker may be helpful if you have a long trip.
5. Don't leave anything that can break (camera, mask, dive computer etc) on the bench, someone could sit on it or crush it with their tanks when they sit backward.
6. Space is a premium, try to get back to where you sat in the beginning of the trip. It is an unspoken rule that you stay in your own spot to avoid conflicts about space. But many divers flout this, so if someone sits on your spot, you can either move somewhere or ask them (very nicely) to move.
7. Listen carefully to the pre-dive briefing, particularly entry and exit from the water. Many injuries occur on the exit from water.
8. If you're concerned about being left behind, ask a couple/buddy pair to visually make sure you are back onboard before the boat leaves the dive site, and tell them you'd do the same for them as well.
9. Other stuff to bring: sunscreen, sunglasses
10. Finally, be nice, we all give some and take some in our lives and the same applies on the tiny diveboat. Enjoy your trip and dive!
Dive safely.

 

[smatterchu]

Get a good marker and put your name, initals, outline the letters or something on your gear so that you can determine what is yours. This is especially important with a lot of folks on board. You will stand a better chance of getting your fins, mask, and weight belt back in its right place with your mark on it.

And as several have said be sure and take plenty of seasick medication. Start taking it the evening before so it gets in your system. Bonine works great for me and doesn't work for others. Stay away from the back of the boat. The heavy diesel smoke will do most people in and don't put your wetsuit on at the dock. The boat captain or first mate will normally tell you when you are about 10 to 15 minutes from the dive site usually during the dive briefing. This is plenty of time to get into your wetsuit and will keep you from overheating.

I was going to mention this point. We are new at this too, and I was very concerned about know how to 'be' on a dive boat. You have gotten great advice, and I was going to bring up this point...

I will preface this with the fact that I'm a total noob.....but while my experience is limited, I've been through my first boat dive within the past month. I was sort of hyper-sensitive to some things, so hopefully this will help you...

Re: overheating in your wetsuit. When you come up from your first dive (in a 2 or 3-tank dive), you can ask the captain about how long before the next dive. If it's any length of time at all, I will unzip my wetsuit and at least get my arms out (tied loosely around my waist) so I don't get too hot. You'll usually get another heads-up when you are nearing the next dive site so you can re-zip.

They will usually stress this during the pre-trip speech... If the tanks are secured with bungee cords, make sure to re-secure them once you are finished getting set up...and any time you are not actively working with them. Also, remember to take the bungee off before hooking your regulator and BC to your tank...otherwise, your gear will be attached to the boat.

Before going in, make sure you know what you are looking at. Hopefully, the captain or someone will brief you on your location and what to look for. He will hopefully tell you where the reef (or whatever) is located and about how long you have underwater. If you have any questions about where to go, ask before you get in. Once you get in, be sure and signal to the captain/crew that you are OK (big signal on head) and then get out of the way of the next diver.

Once you are in the water, if you feel you do not have enough weight, you can sometimes borrow some from the boat. Just be sure to return it before the end of the trip. They usually have at least some weight clips available, but try to have what you think you'll need. If this is your first salt water dive, don't forget to account for that...

Not sure how much they stressed this to you in class, but remember to not be behind another diver who is going up the ladder. If they lose their balance and fall back, you don't want to be there. Also, when you go up the ladder, you might want to keep your reg in your mouth in case you fall back into the water...so you can breathe with no probs...

Unless they tell you otherwise, when you come up you will hand (not toss) your fins to the crew before going up the ladder. Some people would prefer to put their fins on their arm and not hand off their gear. As soon as you get up from one dive, switch tanks (if applicable) and get ready for the next dive.

Most places have water or other drinks available for everyone...sometimes snacks (pretzels/cookies). Pay attention to what the captain says is for everyone. Sometimes, other passengers bring along their own water/drinks, and you don't want to go in the cooler and take someone else's stuff. If you know you can bring your own stuff, don't do glass containers.

This is something I'm sure you wouldn't ever do (considering your effort to know dive boat customs), but I couldn't believe this guy on our boat last week. I thought the captain was going to pitch the man's cell phone out in the ocean -- and I would have understood (and applauded). He talked from the minute he got out of the water until we returned to the dock. It was annoying and pointless, and it really took away from the relaxation of the boatride back....listening to this guy 'talk shop' while we were on vacation...

Like I said, I certainly don't have much experience, but I have done this for the first time - very recently....it's still fresh on my mind... I was really nervous at first, but everyone was really great and we had a fantastic time. Just be really aware of yourself and others.

 

[jeffrey-c]

On your tipping question, I've usually toss in $10 a typical two tank dive boat trip where everything was OK, $15 when the crew did an above average job and a few instances I've given $20 when the service was truly exceptional.

 

[merxlin]

One last bit of advise: Listen carefully to the crew. There may be others on board who will disregard what they are saying and think they know better or that the rules do not apply to them. Don't be that person. The crew has the safety and happiness (i.e good dives) of everyone on board to think about. If everyone is doing the same thing it makes things go much smoother. I have done about 30 dives on the same boat this year. I sat out a dive once and just talked with the crew. You should hear the stories. respect the crew, respect the other divers (and their space) and you will be fine.

Someone said first in doesn't win a prize. On the other hand it will take you longer to get suited up than an old veteran. Don't be shy about getting ready early so you aren't caught up in the flurry of activity 10-15 minutes before you hit the dive site.

Two more things- pack your gear with what you need first on top of your gear bag, and the little things below them: BC and reg on top (many boats let you set up on a tank before you leave port, so you can do this early), then wetsuit/drysuit, then gloves/booties, etc. This gives you easiest access. Also a good doublecheck as you pack.

And tip your crew if they deserve it. If you get good dives, help back on the boat, quick & full fills, and a pleasant day, tip accordingly. If they serve food and its great, tell them so they do it again. If it sucks, tell them that too (nicely).

 

[booth22]

Let the folks who get seasick easy in the water first if possible. For their sake and yours...