At what point do you quit?
Ops want the dough associated with clients (especially in a slow economy) and so may choose "easier" dives to keep them safer.
At what point do they say it's not worth the risk? And do so diplomatically?
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You actually have a couple of questions here and there was one that most responders didn't address. Sure, none of us want to quit doing something we enjoy so much until we're just not able to do it anymore - whenever and however "we" determine that to be. I think your other point was when does an operator have an obligation to refuse services to someone because of their perceived infirmities or limitations. Who are they to judge and how, and by what standards, do they make that judgement. Given the litigous nature of our society, anyone can bring ruin to an operator by placing blame on the operator for allowing that poor victim to hurt him or herself with the services they provide. Any good lawyer will saw through that "hold harmless" waiver you sign before boarding with a buzz saw and the operator can easily be held, at least in part, responsible for anything that happens to anyone on the boat, pier or in the water, even afterwards. But if nothing has happened yet, there is only an appearance of what "might" happen based on some observation then how do you make that determination, and by what standard or set of rules? You really can't apply any to every person or to every situation. There are simply none. Further, unless there are and unless you are religious in applying them to everyone you could be accused of "discrimination" for refusing services to someone. (this is why we should shoot all the lawyers) So - my put is you really can't unless you can prove - in court - that you're being fair, even-handed and acted within some recognized standard and that, to my knowledge, just doesn't exist. And, if you can't then, just like anyone who gets out of bed in the morning, it's a purely subjective matter of how much risk you're willing to take that day. Operators who have steak and eggs for breakfast are probably more likely to take on more risk than those who have granola - how's that?