kids on dive boats

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G

gentlegiant

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Atlanta, GA
My wife's 8 year old recently came to live with us (She moved to Atlanta and we got married in December and did not want to disrupt his school year with a move) and were wondering how everyone feels about kids going out on dive boats with their parents? We have already checked with the operator we usually go out with and they do not have a problem with him riding on the boat but just wanted to see how other divers feel about this.
 
I've only seen a kid on a dive boat once, and they sat with the captain up on the bridge. I guess this would be safest place for them to sit, so they don't get in the way or hurt when folks start slinging gear around.
 
It would depend upon the kid, the parents, the boat, the group size, the length of the trip and whether you were paying my way or not.

If the kid wasn't invisible and you weren't in control and the boat was small and there were more than two divers and the trip was over 15 minutes and I was a paying customer... I don't think I would appreciate it.

If the kid stayed completely outta the way and you were in complete control and the boat had plenty of room and there were only a few divers and the trip out was a short hop and you were paying my way then... sure, great, I like kids.

When we take kids out on the boat we don't dive...
When we dive we don't take kids out on the boat...

That way everbody stays happy, safe and has a good time.
 
I seen it go both ways, real well and real bad. Basically like others said, it depends on the kid and the crew. Some kids are great fun and know how to stay out of the way, others are a real PITA. Worst of all is if the kid gets seasick so be sure to pick a nice day.

Be sure to personally ask the crew though, sometimes the operator and crew aren't the same people. The booking guy may say it's great but the skipper might not be pleased.

Tom
 
I once was that kid:
as far as I remember, nobody had any complaints about me, the crew was really nice and friendly, and everyone had a good time.

I think that as long as he is calm, quiet, and out of the way, everyone, divers and children, can have fun
 
I remember my son when he was 8. Like most 8 year olds his attention span wasn't that long. A bored 8 year old sounds like an accident waiting to happen and who's going to look after him when you're diving.

If he's in Scuberd's category of calm, quiet and out of the way then you may be OK but I think UP sums it up nicely towards the end of his post.
 
We will definitely talk to the captain of the boat beforehand. As a matter of fact there is only 1 particular captain we would even think of doing this with and he has already told us, and demonstrated, that he likes kids. Paul has been out on boats fishing before in the Gulf and to my knowledge has never had a problem with seasickness. We are taking this on a trial basis, if it does not work we will find a sitter for the next trip.
 
I don't think a child has any place on a dive boat. Even the best of children can have a bad day. That bad day could lead to not only unhappy crew/divers but even injury or death.

Dive boats tend to be buisy, crowded places full of all kinds of dangers. Definatly not an environment for children.
 
I kinda agree with Uncle Pug. Most of my diving is from a commercial boat and I am not sure I ever remember a non-diving kid on the boat. I know from being part of the crew that it is potentially a huge problem. If the question were asked yes or no the I would answer definately no. I also think that even if the crew agreed you are putting a large burden (again potentially) on all the other divers that paid their fare.
 
I would say it depends on the size of the boat. If its a BIG boat, their are usally other parts of the boat that are seperated from the dive area. If its a small or medium sized boat, I'd think twice about that. Its not hard to get smacked around, god forbid someone trips and slams a kid that young.

I have no problem with young divers being on a boat although I think a 8yr old on a dive boat isnt to smart of a idea.

Ryan Stone
 
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