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No boat operator owes an instructor a free ride. It would be foolish to apply this thinking when an instructor brings just a few students on board. After all, dealing with students on a dive boat often involves additional service from the operator and its staff.
However, many boats will give instructors (or other group leaders including trip organizers) a free ride if they bring a certain number of paying passengers on board.
I do a lot of diver "instruction," although not in terms of SCUBA itself... I teach people about the marine life they see to enhance their experience and (hopefully) keep them coming back for more. I wish I got the benefits (keyman deals, etc.) that many instructors and DM's get (I sure could use a new wetsuit at those prices).
Fortunately my LDS (Catalina SCUBA Luv and the utterfly fantastic King Neptune dive boat) see the benefit of having someone on board who is well-versed in regional marine life. Just don't expect me to instruct anyone in the "technical" aspects of diving!
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