Boat Diving - Why Dive From a Boat and other Important Information

In this blog I will try to explain the many aspects of diving from a boat and what it takes to get the Boat Diver PADI certification card.

WHY DIVE FROM A BOAT ?
1. Opportunities to dive in areas that could not otherwise reach.
2. Allows you to seek out calm water
3. Entries and exits are easier than diving from shore. Reduced need for long surface swims, meaning that the boat will drop you off just above where you will begin the dive.
4. Less wear and tear on the dive equipment

BASIC BOAT TERMINOLOGY

BOW - Front end toward the front of the boat. Also forward is used.
STERN - Back end towards the rear of the boat. Terms also used are Astern and aft, meaning after the decks.
STARBOARD - Right side of the boat
PORT - Left side of the boat. If you remember left port and in leaving the harbor many help you remember which is port and starboard.
WINDWARD - To the weather side or the side which the wind is blowing
LEEWARD - The side of the boat that is away from the wind.
AMIDSHIPS - Has two meanings, between the two sides of the boat and also between bow and stern of the boat
HEAD - A boat's toilet/restroom
GALLEY - Boat's kitchen
BRIDGE - A raised platform on the boat where the boat is navigated

TYPES OF BOATS
INFLATABLES
Where divers want fast, stable, portable, and inexpensive way to get to the dive sites. Typically they carry 2 - 4 divers. Like a river raft type with 2 sir filled tubes. These are considered small boats.

HARD HULL DAY BOATS
These boats include runabouts, pontoon types, flat tops, small sailboats, skiffs, and other small to medium open air boats. Can carry a large number of divers and equipment.

CABIN CRUISERS
These have minimum accommodations for extended overnight stays. Can carry 6 - 10 divers. They have multiple decks for sitting and enjoying the water.

LIVE - ABOARDS
Very large category boats that will allow many divers to live on the boat for up to 1 week at a time. Usually these boats require a small number of crew members to run the daily duties. The distance range also increases with this type of boat.

SAFETY / EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT

Part of the responsibities of the boat captain is to explain what and where emergency equipment is located. It is also important for the diver to also know this information. The emergency equipment listed is the usual type that is needed on the boat.

1. LIFE PRESERVERS
2. FIRE EXTINQUISGHERS
3. SOUND SIGNALING DEVICES
4. VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS
5. FIRST AID KITS
6. OXYGEN EQUIPMENT
7. MARINE RADIO
8. BILGE PUMP

It is Important for every Diver to know where each if these pieces of equipment are located