I've been thinking over these statements. Sometimes people just don't respect processes and procedures that are important, but sometimes there's a bit more to it. A few general observations about dive boat briefings (note: I've never dove with PV; I've been to Jupiter to dive twice, Key Largo once, never WPB or Boyton Beach).
1.) Earlier in my diving, briefings were sometimes given when there was considerable noise (e.g.: boat motor running en route to dive site).
2.) Fairly new divers may not be confident in their ability to get set up and squared away quickly enough, and may be unsure just how much time they've got left, so they may be trying to set up and listen at the same time.
3.) Some people are visual learners and don't retain what they're told orally well, even if they try.
4.) Some people can read or hear a fairly complex 'lesson' once and retain it well for awhile; other people need to 'take notes' and study it, repeating it in their mind. Example: some people you can give oral driving directions on how to get somewhere once, and some people you have to draw a map with topographical features and it'll still be nerve-wracking for them.
5.) A common admonition is if you don't understand something, speak up and ask. Problem: you might not understand or retain it the 2nd time, don't want to hold the boat up, and once you've been told twice, you'd better know it (but maybe still don't understand). Human nature and experience don't always agree with theoretical logic.
The good news is, it gets better. Early in my diving, I respected and tried to listen to and retain dive briefings, but got little from them and basically followed the leader and communicated when my gas was low (note: I did make a point of committing their instructions on gas management to memory). The more consistently familiar I got with gear setup and common dive boat routines, the less mental bandwidth was diverted to routine, so I could focus on the briefing and retain info. better.
My impression of the diving at Jupiter Dive Center and Emerald Charters was that it was mainly for intermediate divers who are already 'dialed in' that way.
@MudBug Did it seem to you there were a substantial number of fairly new divers on board, or did those not following briefing directives seem pretty seasoned otherwise?
@Johnoly In case newer divers run across this thread, do you know of any boats in that area that cater quite a bit to 'newbies?'
I don't want to oversell the issue; it's just that the level of nannying sometimes seen at mainstream touristy dive destinations isn't as common at others - in my limited experience Jupiter, Morehead City NC and a liveaboard to California's Channel Islands were 'others.'