Chapter 12- Boating, Diving and Seamanship Boating, Diving, and Seamanship 261 sort of boat, the deck has a tendency to shrink when it is time to dive. It might be necessary to dress in shifts. Even on boats this size, it usually helps to put cylinders overboard before the divers suit up. Choices in the category of cabin cruisers (figure 12-3), large yachts, and sailboats are so varied and dive procedures so similar to charter boats that diving from them will be covered in the next section. Because of limitations in maneuvering and anchoring larger vessels, the actual diving on these boats is often done from tenders or skiffs. This is especially true of sailing craft. CHARTER BOATS AND LIVE-ABOARDS These boats can range from converted fishing boats barely longer than runabouts, to luxurious yachts of more than 30 m (100 ft)(figure 12-4). Diving procedures are essentially the same for all. Over the years, a code of “dive boat etiquette” has been developed by skippers, FIGURE 12-4. LARGE LIVE-ABOARD DIVE BOAT instructors, and crew. It is based on courtesy and respect for others. Regardless of the size of a vessel, the key to effective boat diving is cooperation. If you know the basic rules, you will feel at home on any boat anywhere, from California’s Channel Islands to the Red Sea. Before the Trip Pack your dive bag the day before the trip, working with a checklist to make sure nothing is missing. Do not wait until the evening before the trip to pack, in case you discover something broken or missing. Remember to bring spare straps, o-rings, dive log, certification card, and fishing license. Make sure your equipment is marked to avoid its being confused with someone else’s. On Board the Boat On board, anything left on deck will probably get wet, so all non-diving gear should be stored below in the galley or the bunkroom (figure 12-5). Many skippers will allow wetsuits to be worn in the galley, but no hard gear. In the bunkrooms, everything should remain dry and wetsuits are usually prohibited. Check with the crew as to procedures on your boat. If seasickness strikes, try to go up on deck and feed the fishes, if you must, to the lee or downwind side of the boat. Getting sick indoors is considered a serious breach of boat etiquette. The head, or marine toilet, is not to be used for this purpose. FIGURE 12-3. CABIN CRUISER DIVE BOAT
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