Expectations on a dive boat

[MB NZ]

if it's a boat on a local dive site, i expect them to take me there and bring me back, and provide support for emergencies. i also like a comfortable, well organised boat. beyond that, i want them to leave me alone.

if it's a non-local site, as above, plus a good briefing.

i don't think my views on tipping are going to be very helpful for a US setting.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

So Jim... do you specifically tell the crew on the boat that day? Not clear from your post; its sound like you call a month ahead and then either hope for the best... or actually hope that someone touches your gear so that you can "catch them" and thus have the opportunity to huff and puff about it.

As someone who's crewed on a boat for years, I can assure that you simply need to tell the crew - when you come aboard - that you'd prefer to handle your gear yourself.

It's very simple, I call ahead to see what their policies are. Maybe even long before that. Like when I book my trip. If they have a policy of setting up gear for customers I thank them for their time and book with someone else. If that is the overall custom in that area I simply will not go there. I was just told about certain areas in the Philippines where it seemed to offend the crew when my customer asked them to allow him to set up his own gear. And after asking they still insisted on doing it. As a result that location is off my list. In the Keys they don't mess with your gear. Or in Monterrey, Puerto Rico, Bonaire, and when I was in Jamaica. It should not be necessary with proper planning to have to tell the crew. I just don't book with any op that has this as SOP.

Since I am not in a position to just take off on a whim and go some place to dive, other than locally, any trip involves planning. Part of the dive plan itself is finding this stuff out ahead of time. If I were able to do this and did not have time to find out in advance I'd ask before I paid any money for the boat. If they said tell the crew then I'd do that before I even got on the boat. From that point on I'd watch my gear to make sure it was not touched. If they did try I'd politely have to tell them that if they want to insure they don't get a tip then go ahead and touch it. I'm guessing they'd leave it alone after that.

 

[RJP]

4. If they want to help set up your gear, let them know if you want this or not. Don't be rude about it.

When I travel, the first thing I do when I get on a dive boat is explain to the crew how the term "buddy" is usually used on a New Jersey dive boat...

:d

But seriously, I always tell the crew: "I crew on a boat myself. I'm self-sufficient, so feel free to focus your efforts on the other passengers. If I need any help I'll give a shout."

The crew is always happy to know that they have one less diver to worry about (or two if my usual buddy is with me) and never have I had someone adamantly help me with my gear. To the point that they'll stand by laughing at me when it's warranted...

[video=youtube;OqXusbLUfKA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqXusbLUfKA[/video]

 

[dmoore19]

Exactly what I meant. No need to crap in the sand box and ruin a trip for the rest of the boat.

When I travel, the first thing I do when I get on a dive boat is explain to the crew how the term "buddy" is usually used on a New Jersey dive boat...

:d

But seriously, I always tell the crew: "I crew on a boat myself. I'm self-sufficient, so feel free to focus your efforts on the other passengers. If I need any help I'll give a shout."

The crew is always happy to know that they have one less diver to worry about (or two if my usual buddy is with me) and never have I had someone adamantly help me with my gear. To the point that they'll stand by laughing at me when it's warranted...

[video=youtube;OqXusbLUfKA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OqXusbLUfKA[/video]

 

[Dive Right In Scuba 2]

In my many seasons of working as a DM/Mate on a dive boat I usually adjust my "level of service" depending on the individual diver. Upon showing up at the dock I can quickly tell the "leave me alone and don't touch my rig" set from the "please help me I'm lost" divers. With that in mind please tip based on the local standards as the crew's bills and needs to eat aren't concerned with how much or little assistance you may require. Of course, most experienced divers know the score and tip acceptably. It's usually the new divers who I have to hand hold all day and sometimes rescue who tend to tip me 5 bucks. In most places in the US 15-20% of the charter fare is acceptable and greatly appreciated.

 

[Steve_C]

I set up my own gear. However, the dive boats I use most often know that I have two bad rotator cuffs and very poor flexibility in the shoulders. A little help getting into the rigged up BCD while not essential is much appreciated. And while not needed I do not mind if they unclip my slung pony before I make my way back to the seat on a rocking boat. The divers help carry the gear/tanks back down the dock to the parking lot. Usually by the time I get back from taking my gear bag to shore I find that the crew has taken my tanks back for me. I can carry them if they are still there but the help is appreciated. Yes the crew all knows me. Yes I tip. In cash, not by credit card.

---------- Post added October 19th, 2014 at 05:07 PM ----------

If you don't want a guide, which is required in the marine parks I have been to,

Don't think it is required by all. Casino Point and Pennekamp do not require guides.

 

[RJP]

It's very simple, I call ahead to see what their policies are. Maybe even long before that. Like when I book my trip. If they have a policy of setting up gear for customers I thank them for their time and book with someone else. If that is the overall custom in that area I simply will not go there. I was just told about certain areas in the Philippines where it seemed to offend the crew when my customer asked them to allow him to set up his own gear. And after asking they still insisted on doing it. As a result that location is off my list. In the Keys they don't mess with your gear. Or in Monterrey, Puerto Rico, Bonaire, and when I was in Jamaica. It should not be necessary with proper planning to have to tell the crew. I just don't book with any op that has this as SOP.

Since I am not in a position to just take off on a whim and go some place to dive, other than locally, any trip involves planning. Part of the dive plan itself is finding this stuff out ahead of time. If I were able to do this and did not have time to find out in advance I'd ask before I paid any money for the boat. If they said tell the crew then I'd do that before I even got on the boat. From that point on I'd watch my gear to make sure it was not touched. If they did try I'd politely have to tell them that if they want to insure they don't get a tip then go ahead and touch it. I'm guessing they'd leave it alone after that.

I still can't tell from your post which of these scenarios you're describing when you say "I call ahead to see what their policies are. If they have a policy of setting up gear for customers I thank them for their time..." The way you've written the post above, you sound like you're closer to the first scenario than the second.

Scenario 1:

Jim: "Do you have a policy of setting up gear for customers?"
Op: "Why yes, we do!"
Jim: "Thank you for your time... goodbye."

Scenario 2

Jim: "Do you have a policy of setting up gear for customers?"
Op: "Why yes, we do!"
Jim: "I really prefer to handle that myself. I'm assuming that's not a problem..."
Op: "I'm sorry sir. We have an ironclad policy absolutely prohibiting our customers from setting up their own gear."
Jim: "Thank you for your time... goodbye."

Scenario 1 would seem like you misreading a dive op's desire to offer a service that he is assuming you're asking for... followed by you not elucidating what you're actually asking for, and thus depriving the dive op of the chance to clarify their answer.

Scenario 2 is unimagineable.

I'm not asking this to pick on you... I'm genuinely trying to understand what sort of dynamics you're encountering. I've dived all over the world - probably 100 different dive operators in nearly two dozen different countries - and have never once run into an op whose policy is "we set up your gear - end of discussion - and we will not honor any request that we don't." I'm closing in on 1,000 dives and no one has ever touched my gear but me. I'm wondering where you are finding such inflexible operators.

PS - come dive in NJ. There's not a boat in the state that will set your gear up for you... even if you begged them to do so. In fact, if someone did ask to have their gear set up for them most ops would assume that diver didn't know how to do it themselves... and probably leave 'em at the dock.

 

[The Chairman]

I want to dive on a happy boat. I don't need to hear how the owner/coworker is a jerk. I don't need to hear how the boat is crap. I certainly don't need to hear your tales of daring do on a previous job. I want you to be happy to see me, to answer my questions with compassion and lend assistance if I need it. I need you to do the same for my friends and students too.

In return, I'll be the most flexible customer you've ever met. I'll listen to your briefing and follow the boat's rules to the best of my abilities. What's more, I'll be telling the world about your service and why they should beat your doors down to get on your boat. Tip? You bet, and even more importantly, I'll be asking the others to give generous tips as well.

Wind and waves may rock the boat...
but only YOU can tip the crew!
​

 

[RJP]

I want to dive on a happy boat. I don't need to hear how the owner/coworker is a jerk. I don't need to hear how the boat is crap. I certainly don't need to hear your tales of daring do on a previous job. I want you to be happy to see me, to answer my questions with compassion and lend assistance if I need it. I need you to do the same for my friends and students too.

In return, I'll be the most flexible customer you've ever met. I'll listen to your briefing and follow the boat's rules to the best of my abilities. What's more, I'll be telling the world about your service and why they should beat your doors down to get on your boat. Tip? You bet, and even more importantly, I'll be asking the others to give generous tips as well.

Wind and waves may rock the boat...
but only YOU can tip the crew!
​

You should come dive NJ too!

"ScubaBoard invades the Jersey Shore - 2016"??

 

[ericfine50]

As someone that was crew on a boat in the NE, helping someone hear up was only done when asked, or if thru had pinned a hose behind their tank. Stages, we were asked From Time to time to remove them before the passenger got back to the bench. My primary concerns were to make sure you were having a good time, everyone was back on the boat, and everyone was safe.