Out of all of the diving guidelines and pointers, figuring out find out how to behave on a dive boat is without doubt one of the most essential issues you’ll be able to study. And for good purpose, as a result of a few of the finest dive websites on the earth are solely reachable by boat. However diving from a ship comes with no instruction handbook. You type of need to determine it out as you go.
Nonetheless.
You don’t wish to be the annoying diver on a ship that everybody avoids as if you happen to have been a prickly sea urchin or an overexcited dolphin.
So listed here are 15 unstated guidelines of boat diving etiquette you have to be conscious of.
1. Overpack
Slogging round your over-bulging backpack isn’t solely a problem but in addition pointless. When you’re an over packer, restrict your self to what you’ll be able to slot in one small bag. In any other case, you solely threat leaving and forgetting issues behind. Plus, dive boats are solely so huge, so be thoughtful and preserve your stuff neatly collectively. Â
The identical goes on your dive bag. Whereas your dive equipment may appear non-negotiable, contemplate the diving circumstances. Do you actually need all your tools and equipment for each diving state of affairs?
2. Ignore the dive briefing
Happening a scuba diving boat journey is enjoyable and thrilling – however it’s not a joyride. No matter your diving degree or how nicely you already know a dive web site, it’s worthwhile to take note of the dive briefing so that you just’re conscious of the dive plan.
Your dive information will share essential details about the diving circumstances (i.e., entry and exit, currents, marine life, hand indicators, security procedures, and so on.). Dive briefings are additionally if you get to know your dive buddies, so don’t be a know-it-all and, for everybody’s security, hearken to the dive briefing.
3. Arrive late
Whether or not you’re being picked up on the lodge or need to make your strategy to the boat dock, please, don’t be late. If something, arrive early so you’ve got time to do the paperwork and, if crucial, get your rental gear sorted out.
You don’t wish to be the one holding up the boat. It’s impolite and thoughtless. Leaving late means both shorter dives to make up for the misplaced time or returning later within the night. Each situations are dangerous.
4. Don’t take accountability on your gear
Some international locations are recognized for providing valet diving providers the place the dive centre’s workers will carry, arrange and wash your dive gear.
Whereas all this pampering sounds good, on the finish of the day, it’s your accountability as a diver to examine your gear earlier than you dive. Simply say you’ll do it. Okay?
5. Use the fallacious rinse bucket
Each boat may have a barely totally different rinse bucket system. Typically, there’ll be a bucket for wetsuits, BCDs and fins and one other bucket for regulators, cameras, masks, and so on.
Don’t combine them up, particularly if (for heaven’s sake) you’ve peed in your wetsuit. Hey, all of us do it, however be a superb sport and rinse your wetsuit within the sea first.
6. Get in the way in which
If it’s not your flip to dive and also you wish to bounce within the water for a swim, by all means, go for it! However if you happen to do, be sure that the dive platform is obvious so that you don’t get in the way in which of different divers kitting up for his or her dive.
7. Ignore the seasickness etiquette
Let’s face actuality: getting seasick on a dive boat is a ceremony of passage for a lot of divers. Whereas some recover from it, others study find out how to forestall it.
However anyone could be hit by a sudden burst of nausea, and if it’s worthwhile to vomit, there’s positively a great way and a nasty strategy to do it.
Do
- Choose a quiet spot on the boat. This isn’t Broadway, and also you received’t get an award on your efficiency.
- Take intention. Wind and currents can throw all of it again in your, or one other divers’, face. Yuck!
Don’t
- Don’t throw up in the bathroom. It’s not only for the splatters and odor. Boat bathrooms are temperamental issues and may simply clog up. Â
- Don’t throw up contained in the boat. There’s no want for that.
8. Throw garbage overboard
This one is one is an enormous one. Wherever you dive, do it with integrity. You’re in a privileged place to see distant dive websites and their distinctive marine life; don’t spoil them together with your litter. Natural meals, like meals scraps, could be an exception relying on location, however by no means ever throw plastic into the ocean.
To cease garbage even from by chance falling or blowing into the water, get rid of it instantly within the bin onboard. Study extra about how one can be a sustainable diver.Â
9. Disrespect crew-only areas
Going for walkies within the crew areas is a huge no-no. Just like the engine room, kitchen and the wheelhouse. When you ask properly, you’ll most likely be given a tour of the boat, however in any other case, don’t go snooping round.
10. Â Get dry areas moist
Bigger dive boats typically have an indoor, dry space. So don’t get instructed off for going inside with a dripping wetsuit or perhaps a damp swimming costume. When you neglect one thing in there, like your towel, don’t simply go in and fetch it. Ask any person (dry) to get it for you as an alternative.
11. Be unaware of different cultures
On a dive boat, you’ll typically rub shoulders with divers from totally different international locations and walks of life. It’s essential to be respectful of different cultural norms. So pleasant slaps on the shoulder, altering in public or blasting your music over the cellphone are to not everybody’s gusto. Sorry.
12. Quantity ones solely
Bogs onboard dive boats have delicate methods. They’re not constructed to the identical normal as your bathroom at dwelling and a easy piece of bathroom paper can block the entire system. Larger objects, like tampons, or solids (see level quantity 7) stand no probability of getting flushed.
Dive boats additionally normally have just one bathroom, in order good boat manners and etiquette dictate, preserve it clear and useful.
13. Smoke within the fallacious areas
Scuba diving and smoking don’t go collectively.
However.
Relying on the boat’s measurement and guidelines, chances are you’ll be allowed to smoke in a designated smoking space.
14. Tip, tip tipping
Rightly or wrongly, the US tipping tradition is spreading to plenty of international locations. However except you’re within the US or North America, tipping is usually not anticipated.
However if you happen to need to tip your dive information, a superb rule of thumb is to provide 10-15% of what you paid on your dive journey.
15. Ignore the foundations of the boat
Each boat, captain and its crew have their manner of doing issues. Take heed to the crew’s directions, and in the event that they ask you to maneuver or do one thing, for the consolation and security of everybody, simply do it. Easy.
Each boat additionally has its personal manner of securing and storing weights, tanks and dive gear. Take note of the system onboard and check out to slot in.
What drives YOU loopy on a dive boat? What’s probably the most obnoxious factor you’ve seen a diver do? Tell us!
In regards to the Creator
Elena Vivaldo is a PADI teacher turned freelance website positioning copywriter and content material author. She makes use of her 20+ years of diving expertise to put in writing tales, guides, and opinions for world web sites, together with World Nomads and Waterlust. She additionally contributes to blogs of dive facilities and scuba gear producers worldwide. Take a look at her work on her web site, and observe her on LinkedIn, Fb, and Instagram.
