Scuba etiquette 102 - Lobster

[tchil01]

A question came up at the dive club meeting that I thought I might throw out here. On a recent club dive the boat crew caught a huge number of lobsters when they did their dives while we were doing our SIT. Now a number of the dive club members did catch lobsters on their first dive, and our second dive was blown out, a couple members felt that the crew should of waited until after our second dive before they got any bugs. That way us paying customers would have first crack at them. Others in the group said that the crew was within their rights and once we had done our first dive it was each person for themself.

Me, I just sat back and listened, but that the debate was good enough that I would post it on here.

Ty

 

[WreckWriter]

I know it's done differently in the NE but down here the crew almost never dives. The only exception to this is that the mate will often tie in to wrecks but he/she gets right back on the boat when that's done.

Tom

 

[jbd]

the lobsters that were caught?

 

[tchil01]

jbd once bubbled...
the lobsters that were caught?

Everyone took home their own lobsters, including the crew.

WreckWriter once bubbled... The only exception to this is that the mate will often tie in to wrecks but he/she gets right back on the boat when that's done.

That's interesting, because the mate that set the hook on this dive actually did the longest dive of anyone on the boat. He did a 70 minute BT dive with 37 minutes on the line. He went in before everyone else and came out after we all did... and guess who brought up the most bugs... you got it.

Ty

 

[jbd]

a communal lobster feast. Would have been more fun that way IMHO. Seems like the mate could have relaxed a bit on the lobster hunting snice he is probably able to get out more often then the passengers on the boat.

What was the concensus of the club when they discussed this issue?

 

[Scubaroo]

I don't see the problem - the paying customers had first crack at the lobsters.

 

[tchil01]

There basicly was no concensus. Some felt as bengiddins said the the paying customers had first crack, so it wasn'tt a big deal... others that the crew should of waited until we had our second dive...

Hmmm... Kind of sounds like some of the debates on here.


And yes, jbd, a communal lobster feast would of been more fun since I am still a Lobster virgin. But then again there is always that post-dive Chinese dinner.

 

[Uncle Pug]

tchil01 once bubbled...
But then again there is always that post-dive Chinese dinner.

Even I would opt for Lobster over Chinese food.

Personally I don't like the idea of paying for the *crew's* lobster trip any more than going to a Chinese resturant and watching them eat the good stuff while I only get steamed rice and tea...

Maybe it's time to find a new boat where the spoils of war are shared?

 

[MSilvia]

So, the crew got paid to do out on a wreck dive and grab a lobster dinner? Man, I'm in the wrong business!

Personally, if I'm paying to dive for lobsters off a boat, I'd prefer the crew not compete with me. If they want to grab a few when I'm done, more power to 'em.