A couple years ago a local boater lost his outboard in the river and went to the lds here to see if we can recover it for him so after a few phone calls and 2 hrs later myself and 2 other volunteers went on a hunt it took us fifteen minutes to find it we did not ask for compensation and when he offered a reward we told him to donate what was fair to the dive boat operator
So my question to all recreational divers how would you have handled the situation
Considering this is at least 30% of my business, I would have answered it this way. "Let's see if we can help you out. First come by the shop and speak with our recovery and salvage divers and let's put a game plan together. We will also discuss payment while there."
Now as stated, 30% of my business is salvage and recovery related. Something as simple as recovering keys one of my slip customers lost as they were stepping off their boat, or body and evidence recovery for my Fire Department or local Law Enforcement Department. I learned a long time ago, to never give a way your services no matter how small they are. With that being said, there are times we donate our time and energy to causes that we believe in. But for what you are asking, we always charge. Look at it like this, how else is that person going to get the item back. That in of itself is worth payment.
So how do we charge, and what do we charge for. First we discuss with the customer the item that needs to be recovered. We discuss the value of the object including sentimental value. Then we pull a map of the area up on usually Google Earth and pull out a GPS Map from Atlantic Mapping Company, or sometimes use a King Fisher Map, both work great for determining what the bottom composition may be like. We survey the area and plot a search this way. In some incidences, we will run sonar over the area (for an additional fee of course), to help in plotting the search area. Once all said and done, we determine how many divers it will take and what other items we need, such as extra bottles, lift bags, etc. In the end, our rates are determined by location, and man power. A simple example would be, $50.00 for recovery off a dock less than 40 feet of depth, with an item weighing less than 50 lbs. More intense recoveries and salvages the price goes up. Typically speaking we charge $100.00 to $150.00 per man (crew members) per hour. Usually with a minimum number of hours, depending on location and size of the object.
It is very important to note that we explain to the customer and have them sign an agreement to pay, that they are still responsible for payment even if the item can not be recovered. They are paying for the search of the item, the recovery in of it's self is free. This goes hand in hand with the sentimental value of an object, and most understand that sometimes it is easier and more cost effective to just simply replace the item instead of paying us to go look for it. But there are still some that want us to go searching.
Now what causes do we give our services too instead of charging. Well for one, the Public Service. Being a former Deputy of the Sheriff's Department of the County I reside, I still dive for them on a regular basis for evidence and body recoveries. Furthermore, as a Fireman and EMT for my local Fire Department, I volunteer my services for the same. Now with this being said, both said agencies pay my insurance in the event something was to happen to me. So in the end, there is still compensation.
I would try to look at it like this, consider diving as an investment no matter how small or big it is in your life. After all the money spent on training and gear, why wouldn't you want to be compensated for their skills and abilities, even if it took years to earn your money back. Now I know this is probably more than you were wanting to know, but it is something to think about.
I will say this, we donate roughly 20 Discover and Try Scuba's each year to a local benefit (for a fallen Fire Fighter who died in the line of duty), and our Public Safety Team each year, donates its services to the North Carolina Special Olympics Polar Plunge free of charge. So no it's not always about the money. But those are personal connections, we have a Special Olympian in our family and the fallen Fire Fighter was a member of my department.
Hopefully my answer helped you out. Also here are some of our recoveries and salvages from the last few years. Several boats, cars, and a trolling motor. Unfortunately Scuba Board will only allow me to upload 5 Videos or I could have put more here for you to watch. You can go to our YouTube Channel and see more if you so choose.
LakeHickoryScuba
