Dive Master Necessary??

[driftwood]

If the boat is big enough, host an AOW class on the boat and use the rig as the deep dive component or just take the deep dive specialty class privately. While you are out there the instructor can also get you your boat diving specialty class out of the way. Probably will cost about the same as hiring a dm for the day.

The way I would organize the day, is to use the trip out as your class time, do a peak performance buoyancy dive to get your weights dialed in, then do a deep dive. During the SI, your instructor can go over the finer point of diving off a boat. That will take care of three of your five specialties needed for AOW.

 

[cooperscuba]

In the educational/certifying agency definition, a "dive master" is a diver who has been trained to a certain level within that organizations accreditation structure to be able to instruct or assist in instruction.

Surely a DM is somebody who`s primary role is to facilitate a dive rather than instruct, hence the name Divemaster (PADI), Dive Control Specialist (SSI), Dive Leader (BSAC, as they don`t use the term divemaster)?

 

[The Kraken]

That is a better definition, Cooperscuba.

the K

 

[fnfalman]

Oil rigs just don't let anybody motor up in a boat and go at it. Usually you'd have to make previous arrangements with the rig owner for their permission.

 

[Couv]

Lets see now, you live in Houston, have a friend with a boat who can take you to the rigs....yes you need a Dive Master or better yet a former instructor who can accompany you for little or no fee....better PM me. ;-)

 

[captain]

Oil rigs just don't let anybody motor up in a boat and go at it. Usually you'd have to make previous arrangements with the rig owner for their permission.

Not here in the Gulf. They may ask you not to tie up on a certain side if a supply boat is expected or if maintenance is going on that could result in something being dropped they might wave you off, but as a general rule you pick a rig and tie up.

After 9/11 there was some talk of restricting access for security reasons but it was decided that it wasn't an issue and would just be bad PR with the divers and fishermen.

Some days it is hard to find a place to tie in there are so many boats tied up to rigs.

 

[Guba]

I would suggest, also, that the boat captain have a bit of experience with platforms. Strangely enough, extremely calm days with no currents can cause problems. Water under the platform cools, becomes dense and sinks, pulling in surface water. The effect? Your boat drifts TOWARD the platform and its legs. Rig workers get cranky if your boat clangs into their platform.) "Live Boating"...using the motor to maintain position...can be risky for divers, and heavy currents can "blow" divers off the platform, necessitating retrieval. That leads to tricky questions about "do I pick up the other divers first or go after the drifting ones and then come back?" Experienced captains know the answers to these and others. Novices might jump the wrong way.
Also, note that the currents in the Gulf are notorious for quick changes, including direction (from 65 feet down I watched the boat swing 180 degrees in about two minutes) and velocity...sometimes they can really rip (as in, the mask right off your face). Again, experience counts, so until you have some with rigs, it might pay to have someone along who does.

 

[seadoggirl]

Not here in the Gulf. They may ask you not to tie up on a certain side if a supply boat is expected or if maintenance is going on that could result in something being dropped they might wave you off, but as a general rule you pick a rig and tie up.

After 9/11 there was some talk of restricting access for security reasons but it was decided that it wasn't an issue and would just be bad PR with the divers and fishermen.

Some days it is hard to find a place to tie in there are so many boats tied up to rigs.

Cool ain't IT!