Pre-boarding questions?

[radio flyer]

I recently dove off a boat in waters near West Palm Beach, FL, and they had no role call procedure whatever. I don't think they even counted heads on the boat post dives, and there were more than 40 of us crammed like sardines on it. Two people were still in the water when they started to pull up anchor and prepare for site departure. We went with a respectable (and recommended) LDC which booked the charter, and had trusted their years of experience with this outfit.

It struck me at that moment that every person on that boat, including myself, should have asked the captain about safety procedures before departure. Do they have O2 and a radio on board? Do they do roll call? How do they do roll call?

A couple of weeks later, this point was brought home to me when I dove with a really outstanding outfit (Olympus in Morehead City, NC). What a difference! Name and number roll call in and out of the water, emergency procedures (including exit and entry) competently laid out by staff on the ride to the site, emergency communication procedures between those on boat and those in water, O2 and radio on board, etc. etc.

I'd be interested to learn from some of you more veteran divers what kinds of questions you would ask a dive operation before trusting your own life and/or the life of someone you love on a dive charter boat. My very limited experience has suggested some to me, but too often, one doesn't know what one doesn't know... (Thanks!)

 

[vladimir]

there were more than 40 of us crammed like sardines on it

what kinds of questions you would ask a dive operation before trusting your own life and/or the life of someone you love on a dive charter boat.

My first question is, "How many divers will be on the boat?" If the answer is 40, I don't have any more questions.

 

[bfisher]

I would tend to agree with this. 40 divers is way too many. Sounds like maximum profit at least expense for them. I been with a couple of superb dives ops, notably Reef Divers on Cayman Brac. For roll call we had to write our names on a clip board on the way to the dive site. Upon reentering the boat, beore the boat got underway, we had to sign in again and even list how much air we came back with.

I'm no pro by any means, but I usually dive with a group from my home town and the group leader always does a roll call prior to the boat getting under way---both ways. It's just one thing he discusses with the captain and DM's at the start of the trip.

 

[Don Wray]

I wouldn't dive with that outfit again.

 

[NadMat]

One of many nice things about diving "six-packs" is that the whole roll call rigamorole is not necessary. You can see plainly when someone is not in boat, and everyone on board will be able to identify the missing person to some extent. I am with other posters in avoiding diving 'cattle boats' whenever possible.

I try to remember to verify that oxygen is not only on board, but has been checked recently, as have been on boat that had oxy kit on board, but was not working when we needed it to administer on possible dcs hit and had to hit up a sister boat for their kit on way back to dock to get diver to chamber for exam, in end they did not put them in chamber, just kept them on oxy, but would have been desirable to be able to get her on oxygen asap after she indicated possible symptoms.

Beyond that, I am lucky to be able to remember all of my gear sometimes

 

[mobster75]

I was on a six-pack charter yesterday and was really impressed with the service and professionalism and courtesy of the two-man crew (father & son). The pre-briefing covered everything: O2, first-aid kit, where the radios were, how to tune to Ch 16 and talk to the the Coast Guard, where the GPS/Loran/Depth finder and radar were. And they were all over helping divers every step including getting 5mm gloves on, helping to change tanks and breakdown kit at the end. They had soda/water and snacks including freshly cut fruit available after the dives also. It really surprised me, but I would def go out with those guys again!

 

[Guba]

As you noticed, the quality of an operation is apparent in how it practices safety procedures.
For example, Gulf Diving, Ltd operates to the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in the Gulf of Mexico, and they do an exemplary job of managing divers. There are never more than 24 divers (that's the MAX load--often fewer). Divers are logged into the water by name and berth number. Divemasters are on deck throughout the dive and afterwards, ready to enter the water if necessary. Divers are logged back on board by name and number and must recite bottom time and max depth, and this information is logged on a master board. After divers are out of their equipment, a divemaster comes by, clipboard in hand, and checks each diver individually to make sure there are no problems (symptoms of DCS, ear discomfort, etc...). Crew members strongly encourage hydration and food during dive intervals. Safety gear such as O2, radios, beacons, taglines, and drift buoy are easily observable and in good repair (even the motor on the Zodiac retrieval boat is checked regularly!). In short, they show attention to detail and divers feel safer as a result. The GOM can be an unforgiving environment for the careless, and these guys are definitely not that.
I post the above as an example of the type of things divers should look for in a quality dive charter. Of course, I'm proud of my friends at Gulf Diving, and that's one of the reasons I go back year after year (in addition to the great and unique diving in the Flower Gardens, of course. I head out there in two days, and I can't wait!)

 

[radio flyer]

mobster75, sounds like your experience was outstanding. can you post or PM me the name of the outfit?

And NadMat, good points about "six-packs" and SERVICABLE O2!

Didn't much enjoy being cattle when there wasn't even a cattle call..

Thanks everyone.

 

[jbisjim]

....there were more than 40 of us crammed like sardines on it.

Tis exactly why I tend to dive smaller boats, worth any extra money it costs. And you out and back quicker too. Takes a lot of time to get 40 people in the water. Many are done with their dive once 39 and 40 get in the water.

Smaller boats usually "moo" loudly at the cattle boats too