Chapter 12- Boating, Diving and Seamanship Boating, Diving, and Seamanship 263 Return When reboarding the boat, watch the movement of the swim step or ladder as it bounces in the swells. Time your climb when the ladder or step is at its lowest point. This not only saves effort, but will prevent you from being hit by the ladder when it comes down. Once on the swim step, remain on your hands and knees unless otherwise instructed. If you sit on the step and the boat pitches or rolls, you can flop on your back out of control. Be ready to hand your camera, game, or speargun to the crew member at the ladder. Make sure the speargun is unloaded. Depending upon the boat and the divemasters, you might be asked to remove your fins and weight belt before boarding (figure 12-6). Immediately after the last dive of the day, store all equipment in your gear bag. When showering, save some water for the divers coming after you by making it a Navy shower: Get wet, then turn off the water while you lather up. After you have soaped yourself up, rinse off quickly. Hot, fresh water is always in short supply. RESPONSIBILITIES OF A BOAT DRIVER Can you operate a boat? Do you need to be a licensed captain? If you own your own boat, can you let your diving friends help pay for expenses? In most states in the U.S. there are no “drivers licenses” required to operate your own boat, provided it is not for hire. However, you most likely will be required to pay special fees, such as those required for boat registration. Being a good dive buddy is an excellent prerequisite to being able to operate a boat properly. If you perform impeccable dive planning procedures and equipment, safety, and pre-dive checks, you are well on your way to becoming a responsible boat operator. Boating, like diving, requires organization and attention to detail. Aside from being a good dive buddy, as a boat owner or skipper you have a responsibility to every person (diver and non-diver) on your boat to operate your boat properly. You also have a responsibility to other boats around you and to swimmers, snorkelers, surfers, sailboarders, and jet skiers. You must obey the rules and regulations and use common sense, much as when operating a vehicle (table 12-1). Responsibility means properly equipping your boat. Just as certain equipment is necessary for diving, specific safety equipment is required for your vessel. A personal dive boat will most likely fall into one of these classifications of motor boats: under 12 m (about 38 ft) or under 20 m (about 65 ft). The Coast Guard requires specific lighting, bells or whistles, and emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers and life jackets (diving buoyancy compensators do not qualify). You do not need to be a licensed captain to operate your privately owned recreational boat. However, if you receive compensation from passengers, you need to have a licensed passenger boat operator on board at all times or be one yourself. Although the rules are now more realistic, compensation can mean money, sharing fuel expenses, launching or trailer parking fees, supplying food and refreshments, buying meals, and gifts, under some circumstances. When you fall into the category of having a licensed captain aboard, your boat will most likely be re-classified, be required to undergo other inspections, and need to carry additional equipment. Basic Ship Handling In order to operate and steer your boat, you must have an understanding of six basic forces that act on it. These forces react differently during various speeds and TABLE 12-1. NAUTICAL TERMS
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