Socorro Liveaboard Grounding

[also_anon_dc]

maybe astute groups of passengers should instigate and rotate their own independent watch at night?

This is a completely ridiculous suggestion. With the exception of the Red Sea liveaboards are quite expensive and suggesting that divers pay for the liveaboard and then also not sleep because they need to be on night watch is silly.

PS. Let's keep in mind liveaboards are for the large part safe. Every week there are hundreds (thousands?) that complete their itineraries without incident. These high visibility accidents are horrific to imagine happening but they are still few and far between.

 

[Jcp2]

I would rather implore on the industry the importance of their captains and crews adhering to all the safety measures and that we can and should vote with our money.

I think the passenger night watch is merely “A Modest Proposal”. The point is that dive operations in low income countries are very much a “trust me” scenario, no matter what the very slick advertising material says.

 

[scubadada]

As a customer on one on these boats, you should not be required to do night watch! The liveaboard should have a dedicated night watch as part of their service. I recently did the Belize Aggressor IV, there was a dedicated crew member for night watch. I saw and talked to him early every morning. Trip Report - Belize on the Aggressor IV April 9-16, 2022 Thank you Sterlyn.

 

[Jcp2]

Of course they should! But here we are, with another midnight incident. A bit late for should have, could have. The fact that some liveaboard passengers have bug bags with their passports and identification located next to the life jackets speaks a lot.

 

[scubadada]

I would, and have, inquired about the night watch before I have taken a boat. I keep a drybag at my bedside with all my important documents, a flashlight, and some water. I'm very glad that I have never had to use it.

 

[ABUnderwater]

The fact that some liveaboard passengers have bug bags with their passports and identification located next to the life jackets speaks a lot.

This is pretty standard practice at sea. I work on a pretty wide range of vessels and I've always got a ditch bag (passport, inreach, warm layers, etc.) stashed next to my PFD and immersion suit.

 

[Cali_diver]

I have always had a ditch bag. First thing I do when I get on board. Don't forget a spare set of glasses if you use them and a portion of any medications that might be needed.

 

[John Bantin]

I would be afraid that this would shift the onus of boat/fire safety to paying passengers rather than dedicated crew.

The suggestion is an 'as well as' not an 'instead of'.

 

[scubadada]

This is pretty standard practice at sea. I work on a pretty wide range of vessels and I've always got a ditch bag (passport, inreach, warm layers, etc.) stashed next to my PFD and immersion suit.

I travel by myself for liveaboards, none of my roommates has ever had a ditch bag, I have discussed it with several of them and shown them mine.

 

[ABUnderwater]

I travel by myself for liveaboards, none of my roommates has ever had a ditch bag, I have discussed it with several of them and shown them mine.

Good on you for educating them about it!