Charter Boat Boarding Procedures.

Even if most of your boat diving will be from small boats like inflatables, you’re probably going to dive from charter boats from time to time.

Charter boat boarding procedures vary from boat to boat, but follow the same basics:

Plan to board and check in at least half an hour prior to departure.

When you arrive, ask for permission to board and wait until a crew member invites you aboard.

This is important because they may have deck hatches open or completing maintenance and may not be ready for passengers.

Once aboard, ask where and how to stow your equipment –

the procedures for this can vary greatly from boat to boat, so check if you’re not sure.

Assume that anything left on open deck will get wet – on small boats, you may want to leave anything that can’t get wet either at home or in the car.

Most charter boats have a sign-in sheet and/or liability release (assumption of risk).

Read and sign these prior to the boat’s departure, and attend to any other pre-boarding procedures the crew requires.

They may have you set up your gear before the boat leaves the dock.

At some point, the crew will brief you on their operating procedures.

They may do this before setting sail, while underway or after anchoring.

Either way, listen up, even if you’ve been on the boat before, because they may vary procedures depending on conditions or the dive site.

Once the boat is underway, relax and enjoy the ride.

If the water’s a bit rough, avoid moving around more than necessary.

If you must move around, use handholds and move carefully. If you must climb a ladder, always face the ladder, whether going up or down.
 

 

Depending on the type of boat you dive from, you can expect a pre-dive orientation or briefing. T

he most extensive briefings can be expected on large charter boats,

and usually include a boat facility orientation, general characteristics of the dive site, confirming that everyone has a buddy,

and a review of communication, emergency procedures and general safety rules.

During the boat facilities orientation, you can expect a description of the boat,

where to find the head, galley, etc, and any areas that may be off-limits.

The dive site orientation will cover the bottom depth, topography, pints of interest and possible hazards,

local regulations, entry and exit techniques and general suggestions for planning your dive.

 

If you don’t have a buddy, the crew will let you and other divers find and form buddy teams among yourselves,

and they will review any special buddy team procedures that may apply.

(such as if you are drift diving) Finally, the crew will review communications,

their procedures for handling emergencies and rules they expect you to follow to ensure the safety of other divers and your self.

After briefing and orientation, you will generally begin gearing up, but the procedure varies with the boat.

Diving from a small boat, you may have prepared all your equipment before leaving the dock,

so that you and your buddy need only slip into your scuba units.

 

In some cases, especially when diving from a hard-hull day boat,

you may put your scuba units over the side on lines to put on after you enter the water,

leaving deck space for getting into your exposure suits.

 

When diving from a private boat, part of your preparation should include having someone stay aboard to tend the boat,

act as a lookout and to raise a dive flag.

On most larger boats, you’ll suit up as you would when shore diving, but work from your bag so you save space.

Watch your balance if the boat’s rocking, stay seated as much s possible, use hand-holds,

and be sure not to leave a scuba tank unsecured – rolling loose on a boat deck can do a lot of damage or cause injury.

 

Put on all equipment except mask and fins, and conduct your pre-dive safety check (Blonde women really are fun) with your buddy,

being careful to steady your self, walk to the entry/exit area.

Don your mask, and then your fins just before entering the water.

 

Some boats will have variations on suiting up procedures.