Boat Diving and the
Divemaster
Objectives
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State at least five considerations for the selection of a boat for
diving activities.
State four recommended procedures for chartering a vessel for
diving activities.
List four recommended procedures to plan and prepare for boat
diving in the local area.
List at least four pre-departure procedures for boat diving.
List at least five topics that should be included in the predeparture briefing for a boat dive.
List at least three recommended actions to prepare for boat diving
activities after arrival at the site.
List at least seven topics that should be addressed during the predive briefing for a boat dive.
Objectives continued
• List three recommended procedures for overseeing boat
diving operations.
• list three recommended procedures of post-diving
actions a Divemaster should perform.
• List three recommended procedures for taking roll of
divers aboard a boat.
• Define and briefly explain chartering requirements for
commercial boats and small boats.
• Discuss aspects of small boating safety.
• Explain the emergency procedures for the emergency
operation of a marine radio.
Boat Selection Considerations:
• Proper licensing
– Legally = most important consideration
• Passenger capacity
– rated vs. comfort
• Accommodations, galley, compressor
• Operating range
– speed and comfort
• Cost
• Availability
Chartering a Vessel
• Select appropriate vessel
• Reserve with deposit and confirmation letter.
• Obtain written information regarding:
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costs
cancellation policies
refunds
diving rules
gear requirements
pass info on to customers as appropriate
Acting as Operator
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Definition of a charter
Vessel licensing requirements
Vessel equipment and inspection
Personnel licensing requirements
– anything of value changes hands
Planning and Preparing for Boat
Dives
• Visit and inspect boat in advance
• Dive as passenger on boat if unfamiliar
with vessel
• Obtain and provide to divers:
– directions to boat,
– parking
– boarding instructions, etc.
• Collect all fees in advance
Pre-Departure Procedures
• Greet and direct all passengers
• Explain & supervise proper stowage of gear
• Ensure all divers sign in
– Roll/roster
– Waiver
– "Cert" card )
• Discuss schedule, activities, and procedures
with captain and crew
– establish chain of command
Pre-Departure Procedures
continued
Give pre-departure briefing:
• Vessel orientation
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game disposal
head,
guns
tank fills
Gates
storage
dry and wet areas
Estimated schedule of activities
Nature of planned dives
Boat and diving rules and regulations
Safety equipment location and operation
Etiquette
"Zero Tolerance" drug policy
Diving Preparations
• Site Selection
– Depth
– Dive Objectives
• Conditions evaluation
– wind for:
• swing
• dropped object,
• entry/return
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current
kelp
surface conditions such as waves, swell, chop
boat traffic
Rigging and deployment of lines
Coordination with crew members (CAPT has final say)
Pre-Dive Briefing
Given by both capain and divemaster
• Site orientation (CAPTAIN)
• Procedures orientation (DM directs dive activities )
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Expectations
Limits
Entry/Exit and Check-out/check-in procedures
Recall procedures
Assistance procedures
Gear Stowage
Tank filling procedures
Conservation/game laws
Area hazards, precautions
Overseeing Diving Activities
• Use of safety assistants
• Equipment checks
• Record Keeping
– Times
– Depths
– Roll calls
• Don't dive directly under boat
• Fly dive flag only while diving
Post-Dive Divemaster Procedures
• Roll call procedures
– see them
– answer only once
• Monitoring of divers
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Booze
Food
Rest
Seasick
DCS
POP
• Vessel inspection after divers have departed
– remind divers to do a last check
Boating Safety
Take a boating safety class
• Safety Equipment
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Rules of the road
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red right return
Night operation
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scope 5-7:1
Coastal Navigation
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don't jump on or off
Anchoring procedures
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diesel v.s gas
non-essential personnel off
Docking procedures
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sailboat may have right of way
Boat loading and trim
Boat refueling (
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fire ex, pfd, bailer, paddles
lights for navigation and diving
Vessel unattended while diving
Marine Radio Operations
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VHF
– Normal max range 20 miles
– channel 16 is the emergency channel
• Should be monitored continuously
• SSB
– Typically used for offshore cruising
– Emergency Operating procedures
• MAYDAY = grave and immediate danger and requests
immediate assistance!
"MAYDAY,MAYDAY,MAYDAY"
• PAN (pronounced PAWN) = indicates a life threatening
situation and requests appropriate assistance
– (MOB, missing divers, DCI, grounding, loss of steerage, etc.
• SECURITY (pronounced Saycuritay) = notifies other vessels of
hazards to navigation, hazardous weather, or divers in the water
Helicopter Evacuation
Boat Handling
• Monitor radio continuously.
• Clear, and mark or illuminate pick up area.
• Lower any antennas, masts, light pole etc.
• If possible arrange hand signals.
• Position boat to ride as easily as possible with
wind on port bow or as directed by pilot.
• Maintain steerage way.
Helicopter Evacuation continued
Litter management
• Allow litter to touch deck or water before you touch it.
• If a tether is attached to litter, once it has touched the boat or water, use it to
guide and control the litter.
• Never attach the tether to the boat.
• Place victim in litter, and if possible include:
– flotation
– medical records.
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Signal hoist operator to hoist.
Use tether or trail line to steady basket and to ensure the tether doesn’t
become entangled with the boat or any loose items such as dive gear or
divers.
– Don’t get tangled.
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Protect the eyes and hearing of rescue personnel.
It may be necessary to transfer the victim to the water and then perform the
hoist.