One’s dreams can come true with a dive boat. Diving is enjoyable and simple from a boat. The easiest way to access dive sites off-shore and to avoid carrying your gear around with you for long distances is by boat. However, we frequently don’t have a lot of information about them. What kinds of dive boats are available, the rules on board, how to dive from a dive boat, and what services you can anticipate on a dive boat? For more information on diving boats, read this article.
Boat Diving And Shore Diving
There are two ways to get into the water: diving from the shore or diving from a boat.
Even though they occasionally are, shore dives are not typically drifted dives. Divers are picked up and dropped off by car at different beaches. But because it is frequently difficult to exit the sea near the coast, it is not very safe.
It is safer to dive against the currents when you dive from a boat. Another benefit of boat diving is that it enables us to visit places that would otherwise be inaccessible. 95% of the dives made at Dive boats are called Dressel Divers.
Types Of Dive Boats
Inflatable Motorized Dive Boats
They come in a variety of sizes, and the majority can be transported by road as well. Despite being used for diving, the majority of them are not diving boats. The diving-specific pneumatic dive boats have a cylinder holder to secure the tanks. Despite lacking seats, they are quick and maneuverable. In place of this, the divers must remain in this position the entire trip because they sit on the inflated tubes.
Scuba divers back roll into the water, exit the water by using fins, and then pull themselves back onto the boat.
Rigid Hull Covered Diving Boats
These boats range in size from 60 to 90 feet (18 to 27 meters) and are professionally crewed.
Liveaboard Dive Boats
Large diving ships with all the amenities of a hotel—accommodations, food, etc.—are known as liveaboard dive boats. They have a dive compressor to fill the tanks, as well as a guide, on board. Traveling to various dive sites is done by them.
Do’s And Don’ts Onboard A Dive Boat
Before You Ride In A Dive Boat
Remember that you will travel on a dive boat. Since our dive sites are only 10 to 15 minutes from the boat at most, the trip will be brief, but we’re talking about the navigation here. Scuba diving with Dressel Divers.
Even though our dive boats are renowned for their exceptional navigational stability and even in calm seas, this means that the dive boat is still in motion. Take a motion sickness medication, therefore, at least 30 minutes prior to boarding if you are prone to turning green around the gills. Dramamine, Bonine, Marazine, and other options are available.
Despite the fact that all of our boats are covered, the sun and wind can still cause skin damage while traveling. A 100% biodegradable sunscreen should always be worn.
And that’s really crucial! Keep an eye out during the briefing, as this is when you will learn about onboard procedures in addition to dive specifics.
To prepare, in addition to your scuba diving gear, you are going to need “The essentials”. A hat, some UVA-blocking eyewear, a jacket in the winter, a towel, and a dry bag to keep everything dry are all things you should have with you if you want to stay that way. That’s all.
Okay, bring any additional items you might need. But keep in mind that on a dive boat—even one as luxurious as ours—space is constrained and shared with other divers and the crew. Therefore, don’t bring anything that you don’t actually need.
Abroad A Dive Boat
Arrive at the scheduled time. The dive boat’s departure time will have been disclosed to you at the center. Either you go on the ship or you stay in the base, it’s crunch time. It’s that simple.
Don’t leave anything lying around; put your dive equipment in the designated tank storage areas. As we’ve previously mentioned, there are both the crew members and the other divers who will dive with you on a dive boat.
Because of this, it’s crucial that your equipment is configured properly. Remember that every mistake can hurt and spell the end of the adventure for you or others.
Put your tank next to your dive partner and, if at all possible, place your BCD and its regulator there as well. In this manner, you can examine both your own and your partner’s equipment. Additionally, you can store your dive gear, including your dive bag, wetsuit, fins, and mask, under your seat to keep the area organized.
How Do You Dive On A Boat?
A crucial part of the journey is getting into the water from the dive boat; to do this safely, make sure no one is in the water directly beneath you. Above all, follow the procedures explained earlier, and when the staff says “go!”. This coordinated action is necessary for your safety, so go ahead and do it. neither early nor late.
Once you’re in the water, quickly move away from the boat so the following diver can enter without hurting you.
You return to the dive boat following the dive. Prepare your equipment carefully once more if you plan to take a second dive.
Boat drift dives occur as follows at Dressel Divers
Drift diving can be done in one of two ways, generally. The group moves down a line that is connected to a buoy with the first. Until everyone can begin to move forward, the entire group holds onto it. The guide unfolds his SMB after the dive is finished. Once it sees the buoy, the boat, which will have followed the group’s bubbles, knows the precise pickup location.
In the second scenario, the guide enters the water first, and the group gathers around him to follow him on the descent and the entire drift dive. The SMB is sent up to protect a couple who needs to ascend early and to alert the boat.
The boat will follow the bubbles on the surface. Once everyone has ascended together, they are all picked up by the boat when they reach the surface.
During a typical dive, we concentrate on navigation. Thorough control pressure should also be in place. When diving to a depth of 20 meters (65 feet), the ascent should begin at a pressure of about 50 bar (725 psi) and end at 35 bar (500 psi) on the surface.
Tips For All Dive Boats
- Take only what you need; even large boats have a limited amount of room. Bring a save-a-dive kit with you (there are no stores at sea), and make sure everything is packed and working before you leave. To avoid damage or injury, keep your gear organized and securely fastened; a clean boat is a safe boat!
- Get approval before boarding, and arrive on time. Be sure to pay attention to the crew’s instructions, boat and dive briefings, roll call and safety procedures, smoking and no-smoking areas, and local customs and cultures (like what to wear).
- Ask the crew and the guides questions; they’ll be happy to share their local expertise and lend a hand if you’re new to sailing. Just keep out of their way if they are mooring or picking up divers.
- Keep clear of the propeller and never enter the water unless the crew directs you to. You can surface safely by using a DSMB and noting down the flags or signs that identify your boat. One benefit of boat diving is that you don’t have to swim back to shore; however, pay attention to the boat as it comes to pick you up.
- Try some shorter voyages first if you’ve never been on a boat. Stay hydrated, get plenty of rest, keep your eyes on the horizon, and take plenty of fresh air mid-ship (where motion is less) if you’re feeling seasick. Always verify that any motion sickness medication is appropriate for divers.
