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Dive Boat Etiquette

Dive boats can be crowded places.

Most dive boats will have anywhere from 6 to 15 divers on them at a time with each of those divers carrying in excess of 50 lbs (22 kg) of dive gear.

There has to be some sort of guidelines in place when you�re dealing with that many people and that much stuff.

Here are some of the basic rules, spoken and unspoken, of dive boat etiquette:

1. Be Early

Get to the dive boat about a half an hour early.

This will give you enough time to get all of your scuba gear out of your car and into the dive boat. Come late at your own peril.

Dive boat captains aren�t a patient lot. If your dive is scheduled for 12:00 pm and you arrive at 12:30 pm, don�t be surprised if you see an empty boat slip.

2. Be Fast

Get on the boat and get your stuff put away fast.

Nobody cares that you haven�t seen your buddy Bob in ages; but they do care that the boat is running 15 minutes late and your gear still isn�t on board.

3. Be Prepared

The boat isn�t going to turn around if you forgot your mask. Make sure you do a final equipment check before you stow your gear to make sure you have everything you need.

4. Pack Light

Take only what you need on your dive.

If you�re going to take pictures, bring your camera; if you�re going to hunt lobster, bring your snare and catch bag; and if you�re going to collect fish, bring your slurp gun and net.

But under no circumstances should you bring all of it! Space is a valuable commodity on dive boats. Don�t clutter the boat with equipment you �might� use.

5. Be Centralized

Store all of your equipment in one place.

When the captain says that the dive site is close, you don�t want to run all over the boat to get your equipment together.

More importantly, no one else wants you to do that either.

6. Be Attentive

Listen to the divemaster give the dive briefing.

You�ll learn lots of important safety information and valuable tips that�ll make your dive more enjoyable.

7. Be Efficient

When it�s time to put your gear on, you put it on.

Suit up fast then get out of the way. Some dive boats are so crowded that people will have to wait for you to finish before they can get ready. If you notice people are waiting, don you equipment quickly then move.

8. Don't Store Your Scuba Gear In Dry Areas

Certain areas of most dive boats are designated as �dry areas.�

These areas are for storing towels, wallets, cell phones, etc. They�re not for storing regulators, wetsuits, or catch bags.

Keep wet stuff out of the dry area.

Dive boats can be crowded places, but if everyone shows a little consideration they can also be highly organized and fun. Do your part by taking responsibility for your gear and being considerate to your fellow divers.

It�ll make your dive a lot more enjoyable.

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