Small Boat Diving
Objectives
• Identify the following areas of the boat:
– Bow, stern, starboard side, port side
• List the minimum safety gear required by the
USCG.
• Describe Procedures for launching and
recovering a small boat from a beach.
• Outline concerns and procedures for anchoring.
• Discuss techniques for entries and exits from a
small boat.
• Describe techniques for diving in current.
Main Topic Areas
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Positives and negatives of small boat diving
Terminology
Safety Gear
Loading
Launching
Anchoring
Diving
Beach Landings
Emergency Procedures
The Positives of Small Boat Diving
• Small boats are excellent dive platforms
– Allow us to reach sites otherwise not easily
accessible.
– Relatively economical.
– Easily transported
• Successful small boat operation and diving
requires:
– Planning
– Boating skills
– Teamwork
The Negatives of Small Boat Diving
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Crowded space
Possible sea sickness
Time consuming
Boat Issues
Terminology
• Bow
– Front of the boat
• Stern
– Back of the boat
• Port side
– Left side of the boat as you face forward
• Starboard
– Right side of the boat as you face forward
Safety Gear
• Determined by the size of the boat
• USCG requirements
– USCG approved PFD for each passenger
– “Throwable” PFD
– Visual distress signals
– Fire Extinguisher
– Sound making device
– Registration and hull numbers
Safety Gear
• Nice to have
– First aid kit
– Tools
– Radio or other communication equipment
Loading
• Capacity Plate
– Maximum number of passengers
– Maximum total weight
– Maximum size motor
• Keep all cargo organized
– Individual soft/mesh bags for divers
• Keep the boat balanced
Beach Launching
• Position the boat with the bow toward the
water
• Locate the boat as close to the water as
possible
• Time the sets to enter on the calm period
– Follow the last wave and let the water do the
work
– Get through the surf zone as quickly as
possible
Beach Launching
• Hold the bow toward the waves
– It may be necessary to paddle the boat away
from the beach
• Once in deep enough water
– Lower the motor
– Start the motor
Anchoring
• Ground tackle
– Anchor Line
• Typically nylon for strength and flexibility
– Chain at the bottom
• Protects against chafing
• Acts as a shock absorber
• Anchor Type
– Select the correct anchor for the bottom type
• Rock Anchor
• Lightweight “Danforth” style
• Scope
– Ration of Length of Anchor line deployed to depth of water
• 3:1 minimum
• 5:1 preferred
Anchoring
•
Anchoring Drill
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Allow plenty of room for swing
Make a test run.
Always lower the anchor. Never throw it.
Make sure the anchor is attached, but can
be slipped quickly.
– Leave the engine running until you are sure
the anchor will hold.
– Pull back on the anchor to set it.
Anchoring
• Anchor bearings
– Ranges to landmarks on the beach to
establish position
– Compass bearing to landmarks on the beach
to establish position
• Checking the anchor
– Upon descent check the anchor to make sure
it is set.
– Prior to ascent, check the anchor to make
sure it is clear to hoist.
Anchoring
•
Hoisting anchor
– Motor slowly up to the anchor.
– Hoist being careful of your back.
Diving Procedures
• Entry into the water
– Make sure the entry area is clear
– Technique
• Backwards roll
• Sit and slide
– Timing
• Keep the boat balanced
• Simultaneous entries from opposite sides
• Alternate entries from opposite sides
– Equipment management
• Avoid entanglement
• Gear up completely in the boat
• Don your gear in the water
Diving Procedures
• Exit from the water into the boat
– Technique
• Ladder
• Over the side
– It may be necessary to enter over the stern of the boat
» May be lower or more stable
– Equipment Management
• Do not remove any equipment until you are in contact with
the boat.
• Attach equipment to gear lines or have another diver hold
onto the gear
• Properly stow the gear as soon as you are in the boat.
Diving Procedures
• Current
– Begin dive into any current
– Deploy a current line for diver retrieval
– Allow for the effects of current on air
consumption
– Use the anchor line for safety stops
Diving Procedures
•
Liveboating
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Is vessel maneuverable enough?
Is prop a hazard.
Most boats drift bow down.
Entering the water
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Divers should exit the boat on the windward side
– Pick up
•
Windward vs. Leeward side
Beach Landings
• Stop in deep water as close to the surf zone as
possible.
• Raise the motor
• Time the exit to follow the last wave of the set
– Divers are in the water ready to drag the boat up the
beach
• Boat orientation
– Bow toward the beach
– Stern toward the beach
Emergency Procedures
• Recall Procedures
– Recall Signal
• Racing motor
• Banging metal together underwater
– Diver Response
• Make a safe ascent
• Look to boat for signals
Emergency Procedures
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Radio protocols
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VHF Channel 16 is the emergency channel
Levels of emergency
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MAYDAY
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PAN (pronounced PAHN)
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Vessel is in imminent danger
Potentially life threatening situation
» Overdue or missing divers
» Man overboard
» DCS or AGE
SECURITE (pronounced SAY-CUR-EE-TAY)
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Hazards
» Safety
» Navigation
» Weather
Emergency Procedures
– Info to transmit
• Location
• Boat identification
• Type of emergency
Emergency Procedures
• Rescues
– Strip gear prior to entering the boat
– Enter at the most stable part of the boat
• May be over the stern of the boat
– Inflatable Boats
• May have to partially deflate a pontoon
Main Topic Areas
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Positives and negatives of small boat diving
Terminology
Safety Gear
Loading
Launching
Anchoring
Diving
Beach Landings
Emergency Procedures
Objectives
• Identify the following areas of the boat:
– Bow, stern, starboard side, port side
• List the minimum safety gear required by the
USCG.
• Describe Procedures for launching and
recovering a small boat from a beach.
• Outline concerns and procedures for anchoring.
• Discuss techniques for entries and exits from a
small boat.
• Describe techniques for diving in current.
Summary
• Proper utilization of small boats will
significantly extend the range of your
diving operations.
• Successful small boat diving operations
calls for proper planning, boating and
diving skills and teamwork.