And so it begins. Panic in the California dive boat industry

[uncfnp]

When I've been aboard for three day trips, half to 3/4 of the passengers slept onboard. Getting into Ventura at midnight or so, and leaving at 5 or 6am makes a motel pretty expensive. It may not stop divers, but it might cut down the number of trips significantly.

A lot of folks from the SF Bay Area drive down after work, get there late, sleepover night and on the trip out to the islands. Afterward the boat gets in early in the evening, unload, and drive home. Having to get a motel or doing an early morning drive adds expense or inconvenience, both of which can deter divers.


Bob

I think as a possible future customer this policy change is the one that means the least to me from a safety issue. As an outsider I don’t see a reason that some appropriate accommodation could not be arranged.

An overnight watch person and better access to emergency exits, those are significant. Never having been aboard a liveaboard I was ignorant of possible access to exit issues. It will now be one of the first things I look for after boarding the ship. That much I have learned from this tragedy.

And if it does prove to be charging related, this restriction will not end here.

 

[Scubagolf]

Allowing divers to spend the night on the boat was a big draw for visiting divers.

In 2006, I was living in Santa Barbara and the ability to spend the night on board Peace in Ventura before day trips was very convenient. Charging lithium battery powered devices was far less an issue back then.

 

[Stoo]

I don't like those charging hours..

Maybe people in California go to bed earlier than we do, but why 8PM? Leave chargers on until 11 or even midnight. At that point, a crew person could should them down.

Most devices charge in an our or two (not all, I understand that) so as long as they're plugged in as sooon as the days diving is done, they should be fine. Whatever doesn't get fully charged at night gets fired up again at 6AM to be topped off.

I mentioned this in another thread, but the eco-lodge we dive from in Belize runs almost entirely on solar power, then batteries at night. We're all in the habit of plugging stuff in after the afternoon dives and unplugging it before bed. A quick refresh in the morning and it's all good!

 

[tarponchik]

Yeah, 8 pm seems an overkill to me. Most adults sleep for 7-8 hrs, so taking the longer number gives 10 pm to 6 am blackout (or 11 to 7, etc).

 

[Bob DBF]

Maybe people in California go to bed earlier than we do, but why 8PM? Leave chargers on until 11 or even midnight. At that point, a crew person could should them down.

I think it may be to limit the number of divers in the bunk room sleeping while charging. Less people to evacuate in case of fire.

Although normally Californians go to bed the same as others, after 5 to 7 dives a day, it's amazing how early folks hit the sack. I do think the limitations will change over time as they determine the changes are safe.


Bob

 

[Bob DBF]

We also did this. We kept a watch on duty.

So there was no need for a crew, just a watch, while tied to the dock while passengers are aboard?


Bob

 

[Wookie]

So there was no need for a crew, just a watch, while tied to the dock while passengers are aboard?


Bob

We had the whole crew, but a watch is required.

 

[Bob DBF]

We had the whole crew, but a watch is required.

To be more clear, is the crew required to be onboard when passengers are onboard, as they are when underway. Or are there a different set of rules when tied to the dock?


Bob

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

I don't really have much opinion about the no overnight berthing. But the charging rules suck, would make it hard to keep my dive computers, dive lights, and everything else charged. Hopefully they ease up once they find a safer way to keep the charging area contained.

Are you saying that your PDC needs to be charged every night? I thought dive computers ran off replaceable batteries that only need to be changed out once in a while.

 

[Eric Sedletzky]

Yes it was, it’s 6 to 7 hours drive from my part of the state so being able to stay on the boat the night before factored into the plans pretty heavily, not many decent places to stay near the harbors. Good thing I’m cool with shore diving.

Looks like I’ll be crashing out in the bed of my truck with my camper shell in the parking lot.
Just like the good old days at Breakwater.