Smoking Protocols on Dive Boats?

[diverbrian]

Ah ... OK. Somebody else thought it was Popeye. Either way, no worries. I read enough posts on this board to get confused sometimes.

I stand corrected.

Do ya really think I'm being unfriendly by asking?

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

By bringing it up when you weren't quite sure. I just thought it was a little borderline at the time. I have just noticed a more confrontational tone in some posts in this and in another thread this week. I apologize if you thought that it was an accusation. It was simply a neutral observation on my part.

I can see where somebody thought of Popeye as well. There posts were always similar in tone.

 

[MXGratefulDiver]

It's not at all funny Bob, but as sad as it may be, it's the truth. We've forgoten the fact that the 1st amendment applies equally to everyone, not just non-smokers, or those who disagree with the practices of another. In the days following 9-11 there was no place, no car in America that did not display an American Flag; unity was in the air and not even road rage was an issue. What has happened to us? Do we need another tragedy to remind us we're all equal? Not to get political about it, but I believe him who said what I display in my signature line said it best.

Rick

Rick, I'm totally on-board.

If I had my way, we'd have more freedoms to choose our vices ... not fewer ones. I do, however, firmly believe that we also have a responsibility to not impose our habits on those who choose not to indulge.

Freedom ... responsibility ... mutual respect. It's a package deal. Can't have one without having them all.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

 

[diverbrian]

Rick, I'm totally on-board.

If I had my way, we'd have more freedoms to choose our vices ... not fewer ones. I do, however, firmly believe that we also have a responsibility to not impose our habits on those who choose not to indulge.

Freedom ... responsibility ... mutual respect. It's a package deal. Can't have one without having them all.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Thanks one thing where I am with many. At the rate the "PC police" are operating, I won't be able to enjoy a hamburger without having to face a legal obligation for my heart attack in twenty years.

I also agree that smoking around ultra-sensitive individuals isn't the most polite thing in the world to do. On my last submarine, the captain went to a boat wide NO SMOKING rule which included underways. Imagine telling smokers that they can't light up for 3 months, LOL, as there is no "smoking deck" on a sub. We had one cranky crew. While not a smoker myself (and consider that the Captain of submarine at see is the closest position to a dictator in this country), I thought that our health-concious captain was pushing things a bit far. But his rule stood.

 

[TCDiver1]

However, I've yet to see any extreme views that represent the majority on either side.

... Bob (Grateful Diver)

Good words! True for many of todays controversial issues.

You got your squeaky wheel on the left and your squeaky wheel on the right, both making all that noise and yet its all the stuff between the wheels that make them both turn.

 

[DandyDon]

Originally Posted by jeffkruse2000
If I were on a dive boat and someone started smoking I would be very upset. I would ask that person to please stop. If they did not stop I would then start to "rinse" my dive gear. Some how I am sure some water would be spilled.

Why not just start the fist fight, as there's gonna' be one...

I have learned from this extensive, ongoing dicussion - that rather than simply boarding a boat and trying to be polite by smoking only at the stern...

Perhaps it'd be best to ask the skipper to outline the boat's smoking policy before leaving dock, so everyone will know what the captain's orders are.

 

[JT0001]

I have smoked and now don't but smoking on a boat has always bothered me. Sure you would be sorry if the boat blew up from lighting the fuel fumes but that wouldn't do me any good. I can't imagine that smoking should be allowed when it endagers the lives of everyone in a close area. Just think of the safety aspect and weigh that against your need.

 

[archman]

Er, I don't think it's a common occurrence for smokers on open boats to instigate catastrophic explosions. It may LOOK dangerous, but as I've witnessed people lighting up next to running outboards dozens of times, I don't think it's actually a real safety concern. Just think of all the fried fishermen that there would be...

 

[MgicTwnger]

Er, I don't think it's a common occurrence for smokers on open boats to instigate catastrophic explosions. It may LOOK dangerous, but as I've witnessed people lighting up next to running outboards dozens of times, I don't think it's actually a real safety concern. Just think of all the fried fishermen that there would be...

Smoking on board is only dangerous when taking on fuel. Any competent captain then uses the boat's blower to vent the fumes (inboards) or checks the fuel tanks for spills (outboards).

 

[johnnydives]

Everyone goes on about their Human Rites act on Non Smoking but what about Smokers why don't we have a Human Rite to Smoke

 

[dweeb]

For many, the smoke bothers them less than the idea of smoking - it's become a cause celebre. It's that hoary "It takes a village thing"; respecting peoples privacy and right to make their own decisions has been replaced by roving bands of Miss Manners wannabes.

Maybe people wouldn't have that attitude if it weren't for the behavior of the majority of smokers. Most seem to think the world is their ashtray. As a motorcyclist I have a special place in hell reserved for people who flick still burning butts out their window on the freeway. Such a lovely thing to see coming at your face at 65mph. Just look around the entrance to any business, at the ground littered with them.

Actually, I don't mind the idea of things being run at the village level, what I don't get is why so many of the village idiots ended up involved in the process.

The inevitable problem with statism is that you're not likely to like who's making the decisions.

That said, the back end of the dive boat is a small place and it's hard for smokers to accomodate the rights of non-smokers. No matter how enjoyable, smoking is a habit that is highly addictive and that kills mercilessly. When someone has to give, it ought to be the smokers. Even if it's the non-smokers that are being butt-heads.

Let's look at this in perspective. There are literally dozens of acknowledged addictions out there. Why is smoking so special? Take the above reference to tossing butts anywhere they please - why is that any more acceptable than tossing candy wrappers, beer bottles, or used syringes, the detritus of other popular addictions, all over the place? Workplaces set up designated places for smoking - why not bars for the alcoholics, orgy rooms for the sex addicts, and little casinos for the compulsive gamblers? In other words, why, in this society that seems positively riddled with addictions, are people expected to go eight hours a workday without indulging their habits, EXCEPT for the smoking one?
Let's have a little equality.

A dive boat, by necessity, involves a diverse group of people thrust together for several hours in a relatively small area. You wouldn't post asking what the best protocol is for someone on a cattle boat to pull out a skin mag and a bottle of hand lotion, would you? The simple solution is for everyone to keep their addictions a private matter, and leave them at home, and there's no rational reason for smoking to be an exception.